Bob Przybylo- The Golden Hat coming back to Norman, OU takes down No. 1 Texas

The Golden Hat coming back to Norman, OU takes down No. 1 Texas

By Bob Przybylo

The Franchise

Anything can happen in a rivalry game, but then there is the 2026 edition of the Red River Rivalry.

That was the definition of seeing that absolutely anything can and does happen in a rivalry game.

Kicker Tate Sandell drained a 47-yard field goal as time expired to give OU a remarkable 27-24 upset victory against No. 1 Texas on Saturday afternoon at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas. A wild roller coaster no Sooner fan will forget anytime soon.

The conventional wisdom coming into the game was that the Sooners were going to need some help in this one. A little Sooner Magic to be sprinkled in at the Cotton Bowl.

That wisdom was correct, and boy, did OU ever get that boost.

Your quick-hit highlights and summary of an instant classic that sees OU take the Golden Hat back to Norman.

Whatever it takes

It was like a half joke all week long. If the Sooners had a chance to take down No. 1, they were going to need some shortcuts.

Those shortcuts happened and in major ways.

It started in the second quarter with Danny Okoye blocking a punt that was recovered by Dakoda Fields in the end zone for a touchdown to make it 7-7.

But the non-offensive scores weren’t done there.

With the game tied 17-17 in the fourth quarter, it was captain Peyton Bowen delivering a huge shot in the arm. On an errant pass from Arch Manning, Bowen picked it off and went 42 yards for the touchdown.

For a struggling offense, that is what was necessary. And that is what the Sooners got. Bowen had six tackles.

The final drive

Texas was on its way toward a potential game-winning field goal late in the fourth quarter when Manning made one more mistake.

OU head coach Brent Venables dialed up a blitz at just the right time. Manning made a poor throw, and Courtland Guillory earned his first-career interception.

It only gave OU 19 seconds from its 39 yard line. But it gave it a chance.

Sategna comes through

The possession before, OU wide receiver Isaiah Sategna dropped a crucial pass on third down to force the Sooners to punt.

That couldn’t be his final memory in the Red River Rivalry.

And it wasn’t. With 19 seconds left, quarterback John Mateer went to Sategna on back-to-back plays to put Sandell in position.

The result was two incredibly contested receptions for 33 yards. Both reviewed on the sideline, but both no-doubters that Sategna did what was necessary.

Role reversal

No, the numbers produced by Mateer aren’t eye-popping. But what didn’t he do? Did not turn the ball over. Not once.

Mateer completed 18 of 26 passes for 155 yards with no touchdowns or interceptions or lost fumbles.

Instead, it was Manning who cracked. It was Manning who threw the two interceptions in the fourth quarter.

And those final two passes? A lot will be forgiven by OU fans for the way he responded in those final 19 seconds.

For Mateer, for Venables as Venables improves to 2-3 as head coach vs. Texas. Both wins? Being instant classics for OU fans.

Quotable

"You talk about a guy who has been through the fire, man, that's my quarterback! If anyone has anything to say about, you come talk to me." – OU linebacker Kip Lewis about Mateer

Up next

OU (3-2, 1-1) might have new life. The Sooners will look to build off the victory against the Horns with Kentucky coming to town. OU takes on the Wildcats next Saturday at 6:30 p.m. in Norman on SEC Network.