Five Insights from No. 1 Texas’ 34-3 Win Over No. 18 Oklahoma
The storied rivalry between Texas and Oklahoma reached new heights last Saturday at the Cotton Bowl, where the Longhorns dominated the Sooners, winning 34-3. The game showcased a mixture of thrilling plays, moments of uncertainty, and the resilience of the Texas team. Here are five key thoughts reflecting on this pivotal matchup in the Red River Rivalry.
Early Ewers Rust
Returning from a nearly month-long absence due to an abdominal strain, Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers displayed signs of rust in the first quarter. Ewers completed just three of his first five passes, accumulating a mere 13 yards with an interception thrown on his opening drive. Overthrowing receiver Matthew Golden, Ewers was picked off by Oklahoma’s Billy Bowman Jr., setting a troubling tone for early Longhorns’ offensiveness.
Texas failed to gain momentum, recording only 13 total yards in the first quarter. However, as the game progressed, Ewers found his rhythm, culminating in a solid second quarter where he completed 10 of 13 passes for 109 yards and a touchdown. By the end of the game, Ewers had redeemed himself, finishing with 199 yards through the air, a rushing touchdown, and just one interception, demonstrating his ability to shake off early jitters.
Texas’ Run Game Springs to Life
While Ewers struggled initially, the Texas run game, led by Quintrevion Wisner, flourished. By halftime, the Longhorns had amassed 177 rushing yards, chiefly during the latter half of the contest when they found their offensive footing. Wisner, a DeSoto native, spearheaded the effort with 118 yards on just 13 carries.
Head coach Steve Sarkisian praised the effectiveness of the run game, noting, “We found a niche there running the ball, which I think opened some things up in the passing game.” This balanced offensive attack was crucial in alleviating the pressure on Ewers and ultimately establishing control of the game.
The Game-Changing Texas Fumble
In a significant momentum shift, the Longhorns scored a crucial touchdown after a fumble recovery. As Texas led 7-3 in the second quarter, Wisner, on a 36-yard run, was stripped of the ball just as he approached the end zone. However, teammate Silas Bolden, who had sprinted back into the play after initially being upfield, dived into the end zone, recovering the fumble and putting Texas ahead 14-3.
Sarkisian highlighted the play as a defining moment, emphasizing Bolden’s effort: “It was a total effort play for him to make that play in the end zone.” This unexpected turn provided Texas with a heightened sense of urgency and confidence as they pushed toward halftime.
Back-to-Back Mistakes by Oklahoma
The Sooners faced their own disastrous sequence leading into halftime. On consecutive plays, Texas generated turnovers against Oklahoma quarterback Michael Hawkins Jr. The first turnover saw Hawkins, under pressure, lose possession to linebacker Anthony Hill Jr., giving Texas an immediate 21-3 lead when Wisner rushed for a touchdown just moments later.
The second miscue came shortly after, with Oklahoma’s running back, Taylor Tatum, fumbling just after a 13-yard gain. Although Texas failed to capitalize on this turnover entirely, the sequence illustrated Oklahoma’s struggles and inability to maintain composure under pressure.
Oklahoma’s Offensive Woes
Complicating Oklahoma’s challenges, the team’s offensive performance was lackluster throughout the match. With true freshman Hawkins commanding the offense, the Sooners mustered just three points and 107 total yards by halftime. As the Longhorns’ defense suffocated their efforts, Hawkins struggled to find clarity, completing only 19 of 30 passes for 148 yards while rushing for just 27 yards on 20 attempts.
Injuries to key receivers left Oklahoma thin on options, exacerbating their offensive production woes. Even as they attempted to regroup, the inability to convert on early opportunities significantly hampered their efforts. Oklahoma head coach Brent Venables remarked, “We couldn’t get anything sustained… they got up, and they put a lot of pressure on us,” which resonated with the overall feeling of frustration encapsulating the Sooners’ performance that day.
This latest chapter in the Red River Rivalry highlighted Texas’ growth and adaptability under pressure yet underscored Oklahoma’s pressing need for cohesion and resilience as they regroup for the remainder of the season. As the Longhorns celebrated, the Sooners were left pondering where the season goes from here, illustrating the stark realities of college football—where one game can impact the trajectory of a season.