DALLAS — The Oklahoma Sooners erased a 10-point halftime deficit on Saturday to pull off a dramatic 27-24 upset over the top-ranked Texas Longhorns at the Cotton Bowl, sealing the victory on a field goal by Tate Sandell as time expired.
Reports differed slightly on the official distance of the decisive kick, with the Austin American-Statesman and List Wire reporting it as a 47-yard attempt, while Longhorns Wire listed it at 48 yards. Regardless of the yardage, the kick handed Oklahoma its first victory in program history against a No. 1-ranked Texas squad after entering the contest 0-4-1 in that scenario, according to Longhorns Wire.
Fourth-Quarter Collapse Dooms Texas
Texas carried a 17-7 advantage into the break, but miscues and penalties opened the door for Oklahoma in the second half. The Sporting News reported that the Sooners, who entered the matchup with a 2-2 record as 7.5-point underdogs, posted 17 fourth-quarter points to turn the game around.
Texas quarterback Arch Manning endured a turbulent afternoon against the Sooners defense. The Austin American-Statesman reported that Manning completed 19 of 31 passes for 260 yards, three touchdowns and two interceptions. Both turnovers occurred in the fourth quarter and proved disastrous for the Longhorns.
With Texas pinned deep following a penalty, Manning threw an errant pass that Oklahoma defensive back Peyton Bowen intercepted and returned for a touchdown, putting the Sooners up 24-17, Longhorns Wire reported. Manning responded by engineering a 75-yard drive to tie the score, connecting with Cam Coleman for 42 yards before hitting Jermaine Bishop Jr. for a 15-yard touchdown.
However, after Texas kicker Gianni Spetic missed a go-ahead 53-yard attempt with less than two minutes remaining and the Longhorns regained possession following a stop, Manning was picked off again in the closing minute while attempting to elude an Oklahoma blitz.
Special Teams and Penalty Woes
The miscue handed the ball back to Oklahoma quarterback John Mateer, who finished 18 of 26 for 155 yards without a touchdown or interception, according to the American-Statesman. Mateer connected on a 20-yard back-shoulder fade to Isaiah Sategna III, putting Sandell in position for the game-winner.
The Longhorns repeatedly hurt themselves throughout the afternoon, committing eight penalties for 61 yards, according to The Sporting News. A roughing-the-passer flag against Raheem Biles and a defensive pass interference penalty against Kade Phillips kept Oklahoma drives moving during crucial moments.
Special teams also dealt Texas an early blow. In the second quarter, Danny Okoye broke through the protection to block a Mac Chiumento punt from the six-yard line, which Dakota Fields recovered in the end zone to provide Oklahoma its first touchdown of the game, Longhorns Wire reported.
The loss marks the first defeat of the season for Texas, which outgained the Sooners 382 to 238 in total yards, according to the American-Statesman. The defeat will likely strip the Longhorns of their top spot in the national polls. Texas will look to regroup next Saturday when it hosts Florida in an 11 a.m. matchup at Royal-Memorial Stadium, the American-Statesman reported.
