‘Down Goes No. 1,’ ‘Thank God for Defense’ — Oklahoma Fans Still Divided Despite Last-Second Upset of Texas as Sooners Pick Off Arch Manning to Set Up Winning Kick
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Tate Sandell’s 47-yard field goal on the final play gave Oklahoma a 27-24 win over Texas, the nation’s No. 1 team, on Saturday in the Red River Rivalry in Dallas.
It was Oklahoma’s first win over a No. 1 team since a 38-17 victory over Missouri in 2007, according to The Associated Press. The Sooners had been 0-4-1 against Texas when the Longhorns were ranked No. 1 in the AP poll.
Oklahoma Defense and Special Teams Power Upset of Texas
“Down goes No. 1,” Oklahoma Football, the Sooners’ official account, posted after the game, as the celebrations for the crimson and cream half of the Red River Rivalry began to celebrate.
Two of the touchdowns behind that celebration came from the defense and special teams. Dakoda Fields recovered a blocked punt in the end zone in the second quarter, and defensive back Peyton Bowen returned an interception 42 yards with just over 10 minutes left to give Oklahoma its first lead, 24-17.
“Thank God for defense and special, special teams!!!!!!” one fan replied.
The offense explains why. Oklahoma’s only offensive touchdown was running back Lloyd Avant’s 2-yard run early in the fourth quarter, helped along by Texas penalties for roughing the passer and pass interference. The Sooners finished with 238 total yards, converted 2 of 13 third downs, and went three-and-out seven times.
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Quarterback John Mateer completed 18 of 26 passes for 155 yards. Two weeks earlier, Oklahoma lost 41-13 at No. 2 Georgia, and coach Brent Venables said his staff considered benching Mateer during that game.
By Pro Football Network’s measure, Mateer’s PFN Impact grade of 68.6 through Week 5 ranks 129th of 165 graded and qualified FBS quarterbacks.
Another fan weighed both halves of Mateer’s afternoon. “Mateer made many questionable decisions this game, but he showed up in that 2-minute drive for the win. So, I can’t be mad at the guy.”
That drive began at the Oklahoma 39 after Guillory’s interception. Mateer hit wide receiver Isaiah Sategna III for gains of 13 and 20 yards on opposite sides of the field, both upheld on replay, and Oklahoma ran one more play to set up the kick. Sandell had made a 53-yarder in the third quarter and missed another try in the first half.
“Offense put together a two-minute drive and got us in great position,” Venables said. “Two terrific plays by Sategna and good throws by John.”
Texas Outgains Oklahoma but Turnovers Prove Costly
Texas outgained Oklahoma 382-238 and averaged 6.1 yards per play to the Sooners’ 4.2. The Longhorns led 17-7 at halftime and won the rushing battle 122-83, but they punted on each of their first four possessions after the break.
Manning completed 19 of 31 passes for 260 yards and three touchdowns, but both of his interceptions came in the fourth quarter. Between them, Gianni Spetic missed a 53-yard field goal wide right with less than two minutes left in a 24-24 game. Manning’s PFN Impact grade of 79.1 through Week 5 ranks 55th of 165 graded and qualified FBS quarterbacks.
Not every response was so generous to the Sooners. “Even a broken clock is correct twice a day,” another fan wrote.
Oklahoma’s offense came in averaging 321 yards a game, last in the SEC. Texas had won three of its four meetings with Venables, and the Sooners averaged 3.0 points in those losses, according to CBS Sports.
Yet one Oklahoma fan praised Venables, referring to the coach by his initials. “BV makes me so proud to be a Sooner fan.”
“We ain’t that bad,” Venables said in an on-field interview with ABC’s Katie George. “When we put it all together and get out of our own way, take care of the football, good things happen.”
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Oklahoma finished without committing a turnover, and both of Texas’ giveaways led to Oklahoma points.
Looking Ahead in Week 7 to Kentucky
Venables also said the Sooners won shorthanded. “We did it with several great players that didn’t play today. For the guys, it’s like, ‘Now what?’”
Oklahoma plays its first SEC home game next Saturday in Week 7, hosting Kentucky in Norman, while Texas hosts Florida in Austin. Even after the loss, PFN’s College Football Playoff Meter gives the Longhorns an 83.9% chance to make the playoff.
PFN’s College Football Playoff Meter gives Oklahoma a 54.4% chance to beat Kentucky and a 3.2% chance to make the playoff, a figure that rises to 5.1% with a win and falls to 0.8% with a loss.
This article originally appeared on Pro Football Network.
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