Oklahoma Knocks off No. 1 Texas 27-24 on Last-Second Field Goal in Red River Rivalry

Tate Sandell drills a 47-yard game-winner as Sooners erase 10-point halftime deficit, score in all three phases and hand top-ranked Longhorns their first loss.

DALLAS | Tate Sandell kicked a 47-yard field goal as time expired, lifting Oklahoma to a dramatic 27-24 victory over No. 1 Texas on Saturday in the 122nd Red River Rivalry at the Cotton Bowl.

The Sooners (3-2, 1-1 Southeastern Conference) overcame a 10-point halftime deficit and scored touchdowns on offense, defense and special teams to defeat a top-ranked opponent for the first time since beating Missouri 38-17 in 2007.

Oklahoma's defense forced two second-half interceptions of Texas quarterback Arch Manning, including a crucial takeaway by Courtland Guillory that set up the winning drive before a capacity crowd of 92,100.

Quarterback John Mateer connected with Isaiah Sategna III for gains of 13 and 20 yards along the Texas sideline, moving Oklahoma into field-goal range with nine seconds remaining. Both completions survived replay reviews.

After Mateer positioned the ball on the left hash and Oklahoma called timeout with three seconds left, Sandell delivered the game-winner, securing the second walk-off field goal victory in program history.

The dramatic finish capped a fourth-quarter comeback that saw Oklahoma erase a 17-10 deficit.

Lloyd Avant tied the game on a 2-yard touchdown run just 12 seconds into the final quarter. Moments later, Peyton Bowen intercepted an overthrown pass from Manning and returned it 42 yards for a touchdown, giving the Sooners their first lead at 24-17 with 10:07 remaining.

Texas (4-1, 1-1) responded with a 75-yard touchdown drive, capped by Manning's 15-yard scoring pass to Jermaine Bishop Jr. to tie the game at 24 with 6:32 left.

Manning completed 19 of 31 passes for 260 yards and three touchdowns, but his two interceptions proved costly.

Oklahoma missed an opportunity to regain the lead when Gianni Spetic's 53-yard field-goal attempt sailed wide right with 1:55 remaining. The Sooners' defense eventually delivered another stop, setting up the final possession.

The game began as a defensive struggle, with the first five possessions ending in three-and-outs before Manning connected with Cam Coleman on a 41-yard touchdown pass to put Texas ahead 7-0.

Oklahoma answered early in the second quarter when Danny Okoye blocked a Mac Chiumento punt and Dakoda Fields recovered the ball in the end zone. It marked the Sooners' first blocked punt recovery for a touchdown since 2019.

Texas carried a 17-7 lead into halftime, but Oklahoma's defense tightened after the break, limiting the Longhorns to seven second-half points.

Avant helped spark the comeback with a 42-yard third-quarter run that set up Sandell's 53-yard field goal, cutting the deficit to 17-10.

Mateer finished 18 of 26 passing for 155 yards, while Avant rushed for 72 yards on 10 carries.

Owen Heinecke led Oklahoma's defensive effort with nine tackles, including 2½ for loss. Bowen and Trystan Haynes added seven tackles apiece.

The Sooners' ability to capitalize on turnovers and special teams opportunities proved decisive against a Texas team that entered the rivalry unbeaten and ranked No. 1 nationally.

Oklahoma returns home next Saturday to face Kentucky in its first SEC home game of the season.

======

-- By Frank Atkinson and Leticia Jacobs

© Copyright 2026 JWT Communications. All rights reserved. This article cannot be republished, rebroadcast, rewritten, or distributed in any form without written permission.