Norman, OK (Sports Network) - DeMarco Murray ran for a pair of scores, but it was his 17-yard touchdown reception late in the third quarter that proved to be the difference, as seventh-ranked Oklahoma survived a late charge from Air Force's overpowering run attack to beat the Falcons, 27-24.
Landry Jones completed 26-of-42 passes for 254 yards, while Murray finished with 110 yards on the ground for the Sooners (3-0), who extended the nation's longest home winning streak to 33 games.
After a low-scoring first half, Air Force tied the game, 10-10, on Tim Jefferson's 38-yard TD run. The score capped an 80-yard drive to start the third quarter.
Oklahoma needed only 31 seconds to reclaim the lead. A productive return on the subsequent kickoff placed the ball at the Air Force 41-yard line. Jones completed a 36-yard pass to Ryan Broyles before Murray charged into the end zone on the next play.
After the Falcons went three-and-out, Jimmy Stevens converted a 41-yard field goal to extend Oklahoma's lead to 20-10.
A costly fumble by Jefferson -- the game's only turnover -- on the next series gave Oklahoma possession at its own 24. Murray finished off the 10-play drive by taking a screen pass from Jones and following a convoy of blockers for a 17-yard TD.
Jared Tew and Kyle Halderman both ran for touchdowns in the fourth quarter, the latter coming with 3:39 to play, but the Falcons (2-1) came up short in their upset bid after Oklahoma ran out the remaining time.
"(Air Force's) execution in the second half was definitely better than ours on defense," said Oklahoma head coach Bob Stoops.
Air Force came in leading the nation with 423 yards rushing per game and amassed another 351 yards on the ground.
"To come in here and win a game like this, you have to be plus on the turnover margin and you have to come up with a couple more big plays," said Air Force head coach Troy Calhoun.
Oklahoma raced out to a 7-0 lead when Murray capped the game's opening drive with a three-yard score.
Erik Soderberg kicked a 20-yard field goal later in the first quarter to put Air Force on the board. A 32-yard conversion by Stevens accounted for all the scoring in the second frame.
Broyles finished with 116 yards on 10 receptions...Jefferson led Air Force with 96 yards rushing, while Tew totaled 93 on 21 carries...Oklahoma won the previous meeting on September 1, 2001 at Falcon Stadium.