Texas shocks No. 6 Oklahoma 23-6 in Red River Rivalry

Unranked Texas shocked No. 6 Oklahoma 23-6 Saturday in the Red River Rivalry, showing a dominant defensive effort and key special team contributions to secure a pivotal bounce-back victory at the Cotton Bowl. 

Texas’ defense controlled the game from the opening kickoff, repeatedly thwarting a struggling Sooners offense. Quarterback John Mateer, who made a miraculous return only weeks after hand surgery, threw three interceptions against the stout Texas unit. Oklahoma’s offense sputtered, managing only 48 rushing yards on 30 carries and failing to generate any consistent rhythm around Mateer.

The Longhorns offense, which struggled through the first half against Oklahoma’s No. 1 defense, found its footing after the break. The offensive line settled into a rhythm, enabling Texas to string together a 13-play and a 14-play scoring drive. Quarterback Arch Manning threw a 12-yard touchdown pass to DeAndre Moore, giving Texas its first lead of the game. Manning then led a late-fourth-quarter drive that ended with a 39-yard field goal by Mason Shipley.

However, a pivotal special teams play sealed the upset. Late in the fourth quarter, punt returner Ryan Niblett took it 75 yards to the house, giving the Longhorns a commanding 20-6 lead.

Texas' defense slammed the door on Oklahoma's comeback attempts in the final minutes. The Sooners moved the ball inside the Texas 30-yard line but quickly went backward as Mateer was sacked on consecutive plays, forcing a turnover on downs.

The preseason No. 1, entered the week unranked after losing two power conference games, collected a crucial win as they faced a difficult stretch of their schedule. The loss greatly complicated Oklahoma's path, as their slate now included five straight games against Associated Press Top 15 opponents and the hardest remaining schedule in the country.

FEELING GOLDEN 🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘

— Texas Longhorns (@TexasLonghorns)

Longhorns force another Sooners' punt Ryan Niblett, 75-yard punt return for a touchdown. Texas scores 20 unanswered and go up two scores.

Answered the 75 yard call 🏠📞

— Texas Football (@TexasFootball)

Arch Manning shows off his accuracy and power, finding  Parker Livingston to keep the drive alive that started on Texas' five-yard-line. The Longhorns came away with a field goal and go into the final frame ahead 13-6.

There you go Arch Manning

— Mr Matthew CFB (@MrMatthew_CFB)

Texas got the ball first to start the second half and went 75 yards on 14 plays in seven minutes. Arch Manning, 6-6 on the drive, had DeAndre Moore Jr. wide open in the back of the end zone to give the Longhorns their first lead at 10-6.

DMOOOOO 😏

— Texas Football (@TexasFootball)

Sixth-ranked Oklahoma is up 6-3 at the break over the Texas at the Cotton Bowl Stadium, relying entirely on the leg of kicker Tate Sandell. Quarterback John Mateer appeared to have put concerns about a thumb injury to rest though has had some struggles in the first half. Mateer completed three of five passes for forty-five yards on the first possession, finding wide receivers Isaiah Sategna and Deion Burks for big gains and an opening field goal.

The Sooners' defense played a dominant first half, forcing three three-and-outs and holding Texas to just the lone field goal. The Longhorns came out with a strong defense of its own forcing two interceptions, both from Malik Muhammad.

Oklahoma extended its lead in the second quarter, 6-0, with a 41-yard field goal from Sandell, capitalizing on a drive that featured a trick play where wide receiver Javonnie Gibson threw a backwards pass to Burks. However, the Sooners struggled to find the end zone.

Texas quarterback Arch Manning moved the Longhorns into scoring position on their final drive of the half, with a 37-yard run by Quintrevion Wisner setting up the offense in Oklahoma territory. Though Oklahoma’s defense held strong near the goal line, forcing Texas to settle for a 22-yard field goal to cut the lead to three points. 

Oklahoma stumbles in its two minute drill attempt. Already in field goal range, the Sooners let too much time off the clock and had to call a timeout.

With 10 seconds on the clock, John Mateer heaved one into the end zone and into the hands of Malik Muhammad for the second time this afternoon.

Oklahoma with some horrible clock management to end the half

— College Football Report (@CFBRep)

Oklahoma goes 12 plays and 40 yards but had to settle for another field goal to go up 6-0 on Texas in the second quarter. Both teams are averaging less than two yards a carry as the defensive lines hold strong.

John Mateer's deep pass intended for Devon Jordan was slightly under thrown and Texas' Malik Muhammad intercepted it to give the Longhorns the ball back near midfield. Oklahoma held Texas to a 55-yard field goal attempt that missed off the upright.

5️⃣ got itttttt

— Texas Football (@TexasFootball)

The 121st Red River Rivalry is about to start and we will be live blogging all the best plays, moments and storylines through out the game so follow along to stay up to date on all the action.

In here 📍

— Texas Football (@TexasFootball)

Oklahoma QB John Mateer is no longer listed on the final SEC Availability Report before the Red River Rivalry game. Mateer will be available against Texas, less than three weeks after undergoing thumb surgery on his throwing hand. Sooner Wide receiver Keontez Lewis is still game-time decision.

Mateer was on Heisman pace before going down with injury, completing 95 of 141 passes for 1,215 yards and six passing touchdowns to go along with five scores on the ground through four weeks.