Dillon Gabriel and No. 12 Oklahoma have been out for revenge towards No. 3 Texas, and it confirmed in a dramatic 34-30 victory.
Ultimate yr, with Gabriel sidelined, the Longhorns embarrassed the Sooners 49-0 in the yearly Crimson River Competition. However this time round, Gabriel was once in a position to steer Oklahoma to an exciting win that got here all the way down to the overall minute.
Texas trailed 27-17 past due into the 3rd quarter, however rallied with 13 consecutive issues to take a 30-27 lead on a 47-yard Bert Auburn box target with 1:17 last.
However that was once greater than sufficient time for Gabriel and the Sooners’ offense. Gabriel finished 3 consecutive passes, together with a 28-yarder to Drake Stoops, to push the ball deep into Texas territory. After which on a 2-and-goal play from the Texas 3-yard line, Gabriel lightly discovered Nic Anderson with the pocket remaining in round him for what proved to be the profitable landing.
With the win, Oklahoma progressed to 6-0 to place itself within the pole place within the Giant 12 whilst handing Texas (5-1) its first lack of the yr.
The Sooners went 6-7 remaining yr, their first season underneath Brent Venables following Lincoln Riley’s stunning departure to USC. Within the early a part of the season, the Sooners had no longer been examined as they posted relaxed victories towards overmatched pageant.
Reinforced through stellar quarterback play from Gabriel and a made over protection, Oklahoma confirmed simply how a lot it has progressed through beating a stacked group like Texas. And consequently, the Sooners have now catapulted themselves into the Faculty Soccer Playoff race.
It wasn’t simple as the sport had a frenetic get started. Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers threw interceptions on UT’s first two possessions. The primary Ewers turnover arrange a landing run from Gabriel to provide the Sooners an early 7-0 lead.
Texas would tie the sport through blockading an Oklahoma punt and getting better it finally zone for a ranking. And that was once simplest six mins into the primary quarter.
The sport would relax, and the offenses were given into their rhythms. Following an Oklahoma box target, Texas took the lead on a gutsy fourth-down name through Steve Sarkisian that yielded a 22-yard landing go from Ewers to tight finish Gunnar Helm.
Oklahoma briefly answered with a landing of its personal sooner than the groups traded box targets forward of halftime with Oklahoma’s lead at 20-17.
Oklahoma took 10-point lead sooner than Texas stormed again
Early in the second one part, it looked like Oklahoma had seized regulate of the sport. At the Sooners’ first force of the 3rd quarter, they marched 75 yards in 13 performs and grew the result in 27-17 on a Tawee Walker landing run.
And at the resulting force, Ewers became it over for the 3rd time. This time, he was once drilled through prized Oklahoma freshman Peyton Bowen and fumbled. However Oklahoma couldn’t take benefit and punted it again to Texas.
A forty five-yard Auburn box target minimize Oklahoma’s result in 27-20 with 1:53 last within the 3rd, after which Texas were given a seize fourth-down prevent close to midfield.
However Oklahoma answered with an excellent larger fourth-down prevent. Texas had 4 tries from the 1-yard line. 3 Jonathon Brooks runs have been crammed, after which a handy guide a rough throw to Xavier Worthy on fourth down was once sniffed out through the Oklahoma protection as neatly.
It gave the impression of a defensive stand that would in the end make a decision the sport, however Texas saved its composure.
Following the target line stand, Oklahoma drove into Texas territory however stalled on the 27. A possibility to head up two ratings by way of a Zach Schmit 45-yard box target recreation up quick, maintaining the ranking at a 27-20 edge for the Sooners.
That leave out regarded find it irresistible can be pricey as Texas briefly answered. After you have crammed thrice from the 1 at the earlier force, Brooks reeled off a 29-yard landing run to tie the ranking at 27-27 with 6:10 to play.
An Oklahoma three-and-out quickly adopted, and Texas was once in a position to transport the ball neatly sufficient to arrange a go-ahead 47-yard box target through Auburn with 1:17 to play. Auburn’s seize kick made it a 30-27 Texas lead, however the protection simply may just no longer cling on.
Gabriel, who threw for 285 yards and ran for 113 yards within the win, put the offense on his again and led the Sooners to a wide ranging victory.
Oklahoma and Texas each appear to be playoff contenders
The loss is clearly a setback for a group with nationwide championship aspirations like Texas, however it is not a loss that right away places a ceiling at the season.
Headed right into a bye week, Texas can rebound however has no margin for error. The second one part of the Giant 12 agenda may be very navigable with street video games vs. Houston, TCU and Iowa State and residential video games vs. BYU, Kansas State and Texas Tech.
There is numerous parity within the Giant 12, so there’s indubitably doable for a slip-up. On the identical time, Texas will nearly indubitably be liked in all six of the ones video games.
If the Longhorns can get thru that reach unscathed, a rematch with the Sooners within the Giant 12 identify recreation may just materialize. And a commute to the CFP may well be at the line sooner than each colleges transfer to the SEC in 2024.
Like with Texas, Oklahoma will have to be liked in all six of its last video games. The Sooners actually have a bye subsequent week sooner than web hosting UCF on Oct. 21. From there, OU will go back and forth to Kansas and Oklahoma State, host West Virginia after which shut out the season with a street recreation at BYU and a house recreation vs. TCU.
In contrast to Texas, Oklahoma can if truth be told have the funds for a slip-up however the Sooners are higher served maintaining their foot at the gasoline.