The Texas Longhorns (4-2) delivered a resounding statement in the Red River Rivalry, dominating the previously unbeaten Oklahoma Sooners (5-1) with a 23-6 victory. This win, marked by an historic defensive performance and resilient play from Arch Manning, signals a potential turning point for Texas’ College Football Playoff aspirations.
DALLAS, Texas – In a performance that sent shockwaves through the college football landscape, the No. 19 Texas Longhorns dismantled the No. 6 Oklahoma Sooners with a decisive 23-6 triumph at the Cotton Bowl Stadium. This pivotal win not only improved Texas’ all-time series lead to 65-51-5 but also marked a crucial moment for a team that had faced significant scrutiny after early-season setbacks.
The narrative leading into the game was rife with speculation, particularly around Oklahoma quarterback John Mateer’s miraculous return just 17 days after hand surgery. While Mateer showed immense grit to play, it was the Longhorns’ defense that stole the show, executing a game plan that kept Oklahoma out of the end zone entirely.
A Defensive Masterclass That Echoes History
Texas’ defensive unit delivered a performance for the ages, holding a top-10 opponent without a touchdown for the first time since September 29, 1979, when they blanked then-No. 5 Missouri 21-0, according to official records from TexasSports.com. This historical context underscores the significance of Saturday’s defensive clinic.
The Longhorns limited Oklahoma to just six points, all from field goals in the first quarter, and completely shut down the Sooners’ offense in the second half. This marked the third time in the last four years that Texas has prevented Oklahoma from scoring an offensive touchdown under coach Brent Venables.
Key defensive highlights included:
- Three interceptions, the most for Texas in a Red River Rivalry game since 2002.
- Malik Muhammad recorded two interceptions, becoming the first Longhorn since Dylan Haines in 2016 to achieve a multi-interception performance in the rivalry.
- Graceson Littleton snagged his second career interception early in the fourth quarter.
- Five sacks on John Mateer, with contributions from Colin Simmons (his third consecutive game with a sack), Brad Spence, and Lance Jackson.
- Holding the Sooners to a meager 258 total yards and under 100 rushing yards for the fifth time in six games.
- Winning the turnover battle decisively, 3-0.
Oklahoma, who entered the game leading the nation with an average of 4.2 sacks per game, as reported by NCAA.com, was surprisingly held to just one sack against Texas. This was a testament to Texas’ improved offensive line play and Arch Manning’s ability to evade pressure.
Arch Manning’s Maturing Performance
Quarterback Arch Manning, who had faced criticism for early-season struggles and a tough outing against Florida, demonstrated significant growth. He completed a season-high 21 passes on 27 attempts for 166 yards and one touchdown, notably converting 11-for-12 on third down for 117 yards and a score. His efficiency and composure, especially in critical situations, were a stark contrast to previous games.
“I think we learned how to fight today,” Texas coach Steve Sarkisian stated after the game. “I think we saw the true character of the men in that locker room today, their connectivity, their love for one another, these guys continuing to grind with one another because it’s easy to succumb to the outside noise. There was a lot of (expletive) getting talked about this team and these guys and they responded.”
Manning’s ability to stay out of long third-down situations and get the ball quickly to his playmakers, like Quintrevion Wisner (94 rushing yards, 37-yard long run, 5 catches) and Deandre Moore Jr. (12-yard touchdown reception), was crucial. His performance, while not spectacular in terms of yardage, was marked by smart decisions and avoiding the “killer mistakes” that plagued earlier games.
Special Teams and Game-Changing Moments
While Texas’ defense dominated and Manning managed the offense effectively, special teams provided a pivotal momentum swing. After trailing 6-3 at halftime, the Longhorns opened the second half with a 12-yard touchdown pass from Manning to Moore Jr. This 14-play, 75-yard drive consumed over seven minutes of clock, shifting control to Texas.
Later in the fourth quarter, with the score at 13-6, Ryan Niblett delivered a stunning 75-yard punt return for a touchdown, extending Texas’ lead to 20-6. It was the longest punt return by a Texas player in the Red River Rivalry since 2013 and effectively put the nail in Oklahoma’s coffin.
Implications for the Playoff Race and Beyond
For the Texas Longhorns, this victory is more than just a rivalry win; it’s a lifeline for their College Football Playoff hopes. After being a preseason No. 1 team, early losses had tempered expectations. However, a dominant performance against a top-10, previously unbeaten opponent proves Texas’ capability to contend in a wide-open SEC.
“If we can play the way we play today, we’re plenty good enough to compete with any team in our conference,” Sarkisian asserted, reflecting the team’s renewed confidence. This win provides a catharsis, as described by USA Today Sports, for a team beleaguered by outside noise and early struggles. The focus now shifts to maintaining this intensity as they face Kentucky next, followed by a challenging SEC schedule.
For Oklahoma, the loss is a significant blow. Despite John Mateer’s valiant effort to return early from injury, his three interceptions and the offense’s inability to find rhythm against Texas’ defense raise concerns. Coach Venables, now 1-3 against Texas, faces a “gauntlet of a schedule” with upcoming games against South Carolina, Ole Miss, Tennessee, Alabama, Missouri, and LSU. He reminded his team they still have much to play for, despite the emotional defeat. The Sooners will need to quickly learn from their mistakes if they hope to salvage their season.
This Red River Rivalry game proved to be a defining moment for both programs, with Texas emerging as a revitalized contender and Oklahoma left to recalibrate their approach in a competitive conference.
