Behind three touchdown passes from Jacory Harris, the Hurricanes overcame a sluggish start and were able to score against Oklahoma (without Sam Bradford) 21–20, knocking Oklahoma out of national championship contention, with the Hurricanes having previously been beaten at Oklahoma 51–13 in 2007. Playing without defending Heisman Trophy winner Bradford, who missed the game with a sprained shoulder, Oklahoma controlled the early part of the game, intercepting Harris on the Hurricanes' first two possessions and taking a 10–0 lead early in the second quarter. On the Hurricanes' next series, Harris shook threw an 18-yard touchdown pass to tight end Jimmy Graham to bring the Hurricanes within 3.
