Oklahoma delivered a stunning upset in the Red River rivalry on Saturday, edging No. 1 Texas 27‑24 after Tate Sandell nailed a 47‑yard field goal on the final play. The Sooners (3‑2, 1‑1 SEC) broke a 0‑4‑1 streak against top‑ranked Texas, securing their first victory over a No. 1 team since a 38‑17 win over Missouri in 2007.
Key Plays and Scoring Summary
Special‑teams and defensive scores carried Oklahoma through a night of offensive struggles. Dakoda Fields recovered a blocked punt in the end zone for a touchdown, and Peyton Bowen returned an interception 42 yards for another score. Both plays helped the Sooners stay within striking distance despite limited offensive production.
Texas, led by Arch Manning’s three touchdown passes, fought back late. Manning’s final pass was intercepted by Courtland Guillory with 19 seconds remaining, setting up Oklahoma’s decisive field‑goal attempt. After a short drive that moved the ball to the 39‑yard line, John Mateer completed two passes—13 and 20 yards—to Isaiah Sategna, both upheld on replay. Sandell, who earlier in the game had made a 53‑yard field goal and missed another from the same distance, stepped up and converted the 47‑yard try as time expired.
Statistical Highlights
Arch Manning finished 19‑of‑31 for 260 yards and three touchdowns, but his two interceptions proved costly. Oklahoma quarterback John Mateer completed 18 of 26 passes for 155 yards. The Sooners amassed only 238 total yards, well below their season average of 321, and were outgained by Texas. Despite the yardage deficit, Oklahoma’s defense forced five turnovers, including the game‑ending pick.
Both teams displayed defensive resilience. Texas’ Cam Coleman caught an earlier touchdown pass, but the ball was later stripped and recovered by Oklahoma safety, leading to a pick‑6 that put the Sooners ahead 24‑17 with just over ten minutes left.
Looking Ahead
Oklahoma now turns its focus to its first SEC home game, hosting Kentucky next Saturday night. Texas, meanwhile, prepares to host No. 16 Florida the following weekend, seeking to rebound after the loss.
The victory underscores Oklahoma’s ability to win critical games through opportunistic playmaking, even when offensive production falters. Fans in the state will be watching closely as the Sooners aim to build momentum in the SEC race.
Original reporting: Texarkana Gazette — read the source article.
