Tag: oklahoma sooners

Report: Oklahoma hiring Jason Witten as TEs coach

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Oklahoma is hiring Dallas Cowboys great Jason Witten as its tight ends coach, CBS Sports reported on Thursday.

It is the first collegiate coaching position for Witten, who replaces Joe Jon Finley on Brent Venables’ staff.

Witten, 43, was an 11-time Pro Bowl tight end for the Cowboys (2003-17, 2019) and Las Vegas Raiders (2020).

Since 2021, Witten has been the head coach at Liberty Christian School in Dallas, where his son, Cooper, is ranked as the No. 1 linebacker in the Class of 2027 by the 247Sports composite.

The two-time All-Pro caught 1,228 passes for 13,046 yards and 74 touchdowns in 271 games and was named the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year in 2012.

A third-round pick by Dallas out of Tennessee in the 2003 NFL Draft, Witten is the Cowboys’ all-time leader in receptions (1,215) and receiving yards (12,977) and ranks second in touchdowns (72), one behind Dez Bryant.

Witten is a finalist for the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s Class of 2026, his first year of eligibility.

–Field Level Media

No. 8 Oklahoma relies on D in 3rd straight ranked win over No. 22 Missouri

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John Mateer threw for 173 yards and two touchdowns and rushed for 60 yards, and No. 8 Oklahoma’s defense bottled up Missouri running back Ahmad Hardy, as the Sooners beat the No. 22 Tigers 17-6 on Saturday in Norman, Okla.

The Sooners (9-2, 5-2 SEC) moved another step closer to their first College Football Playoff berth since 2019 with their third consecutive ranked win.

Missouri (7-4, 3-4) lost for the third time in four games.

Oklahoma has been outgained in every game during the winning streak, with the Tigers winning that battle 301-276 Saturday. But the Sooners have won the turnover margin 8-2 during that stretch.

That included interceptions by Jacobe Johnson and Eli Bowen against Missouri quarterback Beau Pribula.

Pribula, returning to the lineup after missing the last two games with a dislocated ankle, finished 20-of-36 passing for 231 yards.

Neither offense was particularly effective in the second half after Oklahoma opened with a field goal to go up 17-6.

The Tigers were still within striking distance late, driving to the Sooners 21 with just less than six minutes remaining.

But on fourth-and-2, Pribula’s pass fell incomplete. Missouri’s offense never again threatened to make it a one-possession game.

Hardy came into the game leading the nation in rushing (1,346 yards) and coming off a 300-yard game last week against Mississippi State.

But after gaining 43 yards on the first two drives, Hardy found it hard to find space against Oklahoma’s run defense. He finished with 57 yards on 17 carries.

A promising eight-minute Missouri opening drive stalled out after 14 plays, forcing the Tigers to settle for a 39-yard field goal from Robert Meyer.

A Peyton Bowen blocked field goal prevented the Tigers from adding to their lead in the second quarter.

Oklahoma’s offense was lifeless for much of the first half, gaining just 17 yards on its first three drives combined.

But after the blocked field goal, the Sooners finally showed some offensive life.

Isaiah Sategna III took a pass over the middle from Mateer and took it 87 yards for a touchdown to put Oklahoma on top for the first time on the longest play of the season for the Sooners’ offense.

A shanked punt gave Oklahoma a short field two minutes later and it took advantage. Mateer hit Javonnie Gibson for an 8-yard touchdown to put the Sooners up 14-3.

Missouri once again put a drive together in the final 2:22 of the half, with Oliver Robbins kicking a 21-yard field goal with 17 seconds left in the half to cut the deficit to 14-6 at the break.

Kevin Coleman Jr. finished with seven catches for 115 yards for the Tigers.

–Field Level Media

Oklahoma Sooners quarterback John Mateer (10) and Oklahoma Sooners quarterback Michael Hawkins Jr. (3) warm up before the Red River Rivalry college football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners and the Texas Longhorn at the Cotton Bowl Stadium in Dallas, Texas, Saturday, Oct. 11, 2025.

No. 14 Oklahoma, South Carolina need to get back on winning track

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Oklahoma and South Carolina both enter Saturday’s Southeastern Conference game in Columbia, S.C., with a need to bounce back.

The 14th-ranked Sooners (5-1, 1-1 SEC) are coming off their first loss of the season, a 23-6 loss to Texas, where quarterback John Mateer struggled for the first time all season.

Mateer, who was coming off a surgery to repair a broken thumb just 17 days before the loss to the Longhorns, threw three interceptions.

“Decision making,” Mateer said of where he needed to improve most. “Taking another breath and really seeing the field, knowing the situation, not guessing and doing too much. That’s what came up and I’m obviously not happy about it. Nobody is, nobody should be.”

South Carolina is coming off a 20-10 loss to LSU, the Gamecocks’ third loss in their last four games.

After that game, South Carolina coach Shane Beamer fired offensive line coach Lonnie Teasley. Shawn Elliott will take over as the interim line coach for the rest of the season.

“Too many self-inflicted mistakes that keep showing up and felt the best thing was to see if we can get a new spark and have a new voice in there,” Beamer said.

The Gamecocks (3-3, 1-3) have been one of the most-penalized teams in FBS, averaging 9.17 penalties per game.

The offensive line has played a significant role in that.

South Carolina was called for six pre-snap penalties in last week’s loss, with five coming from the offensive line.

Last year’s game between the teams was over shortly after it began.

The Gamecocks forced three turnovers in the first six minutes, scoring two defensive touchdowns and setting up a quick score on a short field with the other to quickly jump ahead 21-0 en route to a 35-9 victory.

LaNorris Sellers threw for 175 yards and a touchdown in that game, though he didn’t need to do much as South Carolina built a quick, big lead.

Both teams have struggled on the ground this season, with Oklahoma averaging 122.3 rushing yards per game and South Carolina averaging just 115.3.

Freshman Tory Blaylock is the Sooners’ leading rusher, averaging 48.3 yards per game.

“I think it’s just the whole unit,” Blaylock said. “I’m not the type to point fingers. If anything, I’d just point the finger back to myself. I’ve got to create explosive plays.”

There’s a big difference in the rushing defenses, though.

Oklahoma is 10th nationally, holding opponents to just 84.8 yards per game on the ground. South Carolina is 73rd, allowing an average of 147 yards per game. Missouri ran for 285 yards in its Sept. 20 win over South Carolina.

Oklahoma coach Brent Venables said he wasn’t concerned about his team letting the loss to Texas linger.

“This is a group that knows how to punch back and dust themselves off and go right back at it,” Venables said. “It’s a group of competitors, both coaches and players. … You come right back and you do it again.”

-Field Level Media

Oct 11, 2025; Dallas, Texas, USA; Oklahoma Sooners quarterback John Mateer (10) throws during the first half against the Texas Longhorns at the Cotton Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images

Texas hands No. 6 Oklahoma first loss in Red River Rivalry

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Arch Manning completed 78% of his passes for 166 yards and a touchdown to help Texas knock off No. 6 Oklahoma 23-6 on Saturday in Dallas.

The Longhorns’ defense intercepted Sooners’ quarterback John Mateer three times, and sacked him five times overall, including twice on a critical drive late to clinch their second straight victory in the Red River Rivalry.

With 9:59 remaining, Texas’ Ryan Niblett returned a punt 75 yards for a touchdown to put the Longhorns up 20-6.

Needing to put points on the board for the first time since early in the second quarter, Oklahoma (5-1, 1-1 SEC) quickly drove inside the Texas 30, but Michael Taaffe and Colin Simmons sacked Mateer on back-to-back plays on second and third down before Mateer’s incompletion gave the ball back to the Longhorns (3-3, 1-1 SEC).

Mateer played just 17 days after having surgery for a broken thumb on his throwing hand.

Mateer suffered the injury early in the Sooners’ Sept. 20 win over Auburn.
He finished 20 of 38 for 202 yards and had 14 carries for five yards.

Mateer’s streak of 10 consecutive games with at least one passing touchdown and at least one running touchdown was snapped.

Oklahoma controlled much of the first half, outgaining the Longhorns 170-114, but the Sooners couldn’t finish out drives, twice settling for Tate Sandell field goals early.

Texas cut the deficit to 6-3 late in the third quarter, and then Malik Muhammad picked off Mateer in the end zone in the closing seconds to keep the Sooners from stretching the lead before the break.

The Longhorns then ate up nearly half of the third-quarter clock with a 14-play, 75-yard drive, taking the lead on Manning’s 12-yard touchdown pass to one-time Sooners commit DeAndre Moore Jr.

Manning finished 21 of 27 through the air, ran for 34 yards, and was sacked just once by an Oklahoma defense that came into the game leading the nation in sacks per game.

Quintrevion Wisner rushed for 94 yards and had five catches for 34 yards.
Texas outgained Oklahoma 302-258.

Deion Burks led the Sooners with five catches for 64 yards. Oklahoma ran for just 48 yards.

–Field Level Media

Sep 13, 2025; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Oklahoma Sooners quarterback Michael Hawkins Jr (3) rushes against the Temple Owls in the second half at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Ross-Imagn Images

No. 5 Oklahoma hands keys to QB Michael Hawkins Jr. vs Kent State

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Offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle sees flashes of the way John Mateer interacted with Cam Ward at Washington State in the way Michael Hawkins Jr. has interacted with Mateer so far this season at Oklahoma.

Hawkins will make his first start of the season Saturday when the No. 5 Sooners (4-0) take on nonconference opponent Kent State (1-3) in Norman, Okla.

Mateer is out after sustaining a broken hand in the first quarter of a Sept. 20 win over then-No. 22 Auburn. While serving as Ward’s backup with the Cougars in 2023, Mateer learned the importance of having a well-prepared replacement ready to roll.

“I think that stuck with John,” said Arbuckle, the OC at Washington State from 2023-24. “I think John knows, ‘it’s not all about me, you know. I’ve got to make sure that I’m making everyone better.’”

Hawkins started four games last season as the Sooners bounced between him and Jackson Arnold at the spot.

That was an Oklahoma team that was depleted at wide receiver. This season, the Sooners have been much better out wide.

This Oklahoma team has four players averaging at least 50 receiving yards per game, led by tight end Jaren Kanak’s 76.8. Isaiah Sategna III, Deion Burks and Keontez Lewis have combined for five touchdown catches.

“I feel like it’s a great situation to be in right now,” Hawkins said. ” … Being in the fire last year helped me a lot just with my process and knowing the game and being able to command a huddle. That helped me a lot last year.”

The Sooners also figure to add another piece to the receiver group Saturday with the season debut of Javonnie Gibson. Gibson, a transfer from Arkansas-Pine Bluff, suffered a broken leg during spring practice.

“I’m excited for him to get reacclimated into the game of football, get reacclimated into this offense and really find his spot,” Arbuckle said. “I think he’s a big-time playmaker, I really do.”

Gibson isn’t the only Oklahoma player making his season debut. Cornerback Eli Bowen is expected to return from injury as well.

With Texas looming on the horizon next week, it figures to be important for the Sooners to get both players back in the swing of things quickly.

Oklahoma’s defense comes into the game ranked second nationally in total defense, allowing just 207.5 yards per game, and third in points allowed (9.0).

One thing the Sooners haven’t done defensively yet is force turnovers. Oklahoma is the lone remaining FBS team without a takeaway.

Sooners coach Brent Venables said that while creating turnovers was important, the Sooners couldn’t put too much emphasis on it.

“I don’t want to be that team that’s over there trying to rip at the ball and nobody’s tackling the ball-carrier, either,” Venables said. “That’s bad football. But at the same time, man, we need to create turnovers.”

Kent State is on a three-game losing streak, having been outscored 159-52 during that stretch.

The Golden Flashes have not beaten an FBS opponent since 2022, dropping 25 consecutive games to such opponents.

Kent State has been idle since its 66-10 loss to then-No. 7 Florida State on Sept. 20.

The game will be a homecoming of sorts for Golden Flashes offensive coordinator Clay Patterson, an Oklahoma native.

“We’ve got to match their physically,” Patterson said. “We know that going in. We can’t beat ourselves. That’s the big thing.”

Oklahoma won the only prior meeting between the teams, beating Kent State 33-3 in 2022 in Norman.

–Field Level Media

Nov 30, 2024; Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA; LSU Tigers wide receiver CJ Daniels (4) is chased after a catch by Oklahoma Sooners defensive back Billy Bowman Jr. (2) during the first quarter at Tiger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images

Garrett Nussmeier tosses 3 TDs as LSU rolls past Oklahoma

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Garrett Nussmeier threw for 277 yards and three touchdowns, coming back from a first-half injury to lead LSU to a 37-17 win over Oklahoma on Saturday in Baton Rouge, La.

The Tigers (8-4, 5-3 SEC) finished the regular season with a two-game winning streak after dropping three consecutive games.

The Sooners (6-6, 2-6) couldn’t maintain their momentum from last week’s stunning home upset of Alabama.

Nussmeier was knocked from the game early in the second quarter, when he was hit from the blindside by R. Mason Thomas on a sack.

But after X-rays to his clavicle were negative, Nussmeier returned with the game tied late in the second quarter and quickly made an impact.

He hit four consecutive passes, the final one a 40-yard touchdown to Chris Hilton Jr. to put the Tigers ahead at the break.

Then Nussmeier directed a nine-play, 88-yard touchdown drive on LSU’s first drive of the third quarter, capped by a 45-yard touchdown to Hilton.

Hilton, who had been limited due to injury for much of the season, did not have a touchdown this season going into the game.

LSU struck first, on Kyren Lacy’s 18-yard touchdown reception from Nussmeier about eight minutes into the game.

Thomas helped the Sooners tie it two drives later.

Oklahoma defensive tackle Gracen Halton broke through the line of scrimmage and knocked the ball loose from Nussmeier.

Thomas scooped it up and returned it 9 yards for a touchdown.

It was the Sooners’ third consecutive game with a defensive touchdown and their fourth of the season.

Oklahoma took its only lead of the game midway through the second quarter on Xavier Robinson’s 2-yard run to cap a quick three-play, 75-yard scoring drive.

But that lead was extremely short-lived, as Aaron Anderson returned the ensuing kickoff 100 yards for a touchdown.

The Sooners tied the game 17-17 on a field goal with 2:13 left in the first half before Nussmeier returned to orchestrate the drive that turned the tide toward LSU for good.

LSU outgained Oklahoma 395-277 and held the Sooners to just 4 of 11 on third downs.

Oklahoma quarterback Jackson Arnold ran for 75 yards and was 14 of 21 for 110 yards through the air.

Freshman running back Caden Durham, a one-time Sooners commit, had 11 carries for 80 yards and four catches for 32 yards.

–Field Level Media

Nov 16, 2024; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Mercer wide receiver Kelin Parsons (13) is tackled by Alabama Crimson Tide defensive back DaShawn Jones (7) and Alabama Crimson Tide defensive lineman Tim Keenan III (96) at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Alabama defeated Mercer 52-7. Mandatory Credit: Gary Cosby Jr.-Tuscaloosa News

No. 7 Alabama aims to apply defensive pressure vs. Oklahoma

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Alabama is trying to keep its College Football Playoff chances afloat while Oklahoma is working to extend its bowl streak.

The No. 7 Crimson Tide and the Sooners will square off for the first time as Southeastern Conference rivals on Saturday in Norman, Okla.

Alabama (8-2, 4-2 SEC) is riding a three-game winning streak that has put Kalen DeBoer’s team back into playoff contention. The Sooners (5-5, 1-5) have dropped four consecutive conference games to put their 25-season bowl streak into danger.

Turnovers figure to play a significant role on Saturday. The Crimson Tide are tied for fourth nationally in turnover margin at plus-13, while the Sooners are tied for 72nd at minus-one.

Alabama has forced three or more turnovers in each of its last five games, including nine interceptions. Oklahoma has turned the ball over a total of 13 times over its last five games.

On Tuesday, Sooners coach Brent Venables pointed out the scoring margin off turnovers in his team’s wins versus its losses. Oklahoma is outscoring opponents 63-6 off turnovers in its wins and being outscored 58-7 off turnovers in its losses.

“When you take care of the ball, again, good things will usually happen,” Venables said.

Crimson Tide quarterback Jalen Milroe presents a unique challenge for the Sooners. He is averaging 223.2 passing yards and 60.8 rushing yards per game. He’s thrown for 15 touchdowns with just six interceptions and has rushed for 17 scores.

“He’s, I think, back in a really good spot with trust in the guys around him,” DeBoer said. “There’s been a little more continuity with the practice, skill players, offensive line. … He’s become more comfortable in understanding what our team needs from him to be able to win SEC football games.”

The Sooners aren’t nearly as settled at quarterback, although sophomore Jackson Arnold will make his fourth consecutive start since regaining the role in mid-October.

Arnold fumbled three times — losing two — in the Sooners’ 30-23 loss to Missouri on Nov. 9 heading into a bye week. One of those fumbles came near the end of the game and was returned for what ultimately was the game-winning touchdown.

“I can’t fumble like that,” Arnold said. “Can’t turn the ball over but at the same time, we’ve got two more games. We’ve got two more great teams we’ve got to play so we’ve got to put it behind us and move forward.”

Arnold is hoping to have a couple targets back as a bigger part of the offense Saturday.

Wide receivers Jalil Farooq and Deion Burks returned after long absences against Missouri. Burks finished with five catches for 44 yards while Farooq had two receptions for 11 yards.

Venables said both could see more action against Alabama.

“They had to knock off a little bit of rust,” Venables said. “Certainly the volume, their play capacity wasn’t what it would normally be. … We’re hoping that will continue to improve as we move forward.”

DeBoer said this week that Crimson Tide starting safety Keon Sabb was out for the season after undergoing surgery.

The Tide and the Sooners have met six times previously, with the last coming in December 2018 in a College Football Playoff semifinal. Alabama recorded a 45-34 win.

–Field Level Media

Nov 9, 2024; Columbia, Missouri, USA; Oklahoma Sooners wide receiver Deion Burks (6) is tackled by Missouri Tigers safety Daylan Carnell (13) during the first half at Faurot Field at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images

No. 24 Missouri scores 2 TDs in final 63 seconds to steal win over Oklahoma

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Missouri’s Zion Young returned a fumble 17 yards for a touchdown in the final minute to lift the No. 24 Tigers to a 30-23 win over Oklahoma on Saturday in Columbia, Mo.

Young’s touchdown capped off a wild finish, with four touchdowns between the teams in the final 3:18.

The Tigers (7-2, 3-2 SEC) kept their College Football Playoff hopes alive while the Sooners’ bowl hopes took a major hit.

Oklahoma (5-5, 1-5) needs one more win in its final two games — against Alabama and LSU — to extend its bowl streak to 26 seasons.

Missouri tied it on Theo Wease Jr.’s 10-yard touchdown catch from Drew Pyne with 1:03 left.

It didn’t take long for the Tigers to come up with another big play.

Triston Newson hit Sooners quarterback Jackson Arnold in the backfield, knocking the ball free, and Young picked it up and returned it for the score.

Not long before Wease’s touchdown, it looked like the game had turned disastrous for the Tigers.

Billy Bowman returned a fumble 43 yards for a touchdown with 2:00 left to put Oklahoma in front 23-16.

But Pyne quickly directed an eight-play, 75-yard touchdown drive to tie it and set up Young’s late heroics.

The teams combined for just 535 total yards, with Missouri outgaining the Sooners 278-257.

Pyne finished 14-of-27 for 143 yards and three touchdowns.

Arnold finished 15-of-24 for just 74 yards as the Sooners turned the ball over four times.

Wease had four catches for 70 yards and two touchdowns.

Oklahoma tied the game with 3:18 left on a bit of trickery.

Running back Taylor Tatum took a handoff from Arnold on third down then turned to throw it back to Arnold, who caught it and ran in for an 18-yard touchdown.

On the third play of the next drive, Sammy Omosigho hit Missouri’s Jamal Roberts, popping the ball free. Bowman scooped it up and took it in for the score.

Pyne threw three touchdowns in the second half, including a 5-yard touchdown to Brett Norfleet with 8:47 left. But the point-after attempt was missed, keeping Missouri’s lead 16-9.

That’s when the Sooners finally answered, with a 12-play, 75-yard touchdown drive to tie the game.

Oklahoma’s Zach Schmit hit three field goals, including a career-long 56-yarder as time expired in the second quarter, to send the Sooners into halftime leading 9-3.

–Field Level Media

Oct 26, 2024; Oxford, Mississippi, USA; Oklahoma Sooners head coach Brent Venables watches during the first half against the Mississippi Rebels at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images

Skidding Oklahoma looks to keep focus in meeting vs. Maine

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Oklahoma coach Brent Venables wasn’t asked much directly about his team’s matchup with FCS opponent Maine during his Tuesday press conference.

“I could brag on Maine,” Venables said. “They’ve got 17 graduates. What does that mean? They’ve got a lot of experience. Nobody cares. We’re focused on Oklahoma, like we always have been.”

Mired in a three-game losing streak, the Sooners (4-4) figure to need the win on Saturday afternoon when they meet the Black Bears (4-4) in Norman, Okla.

Oklahoma will finish the regular season with a trio of games against now-ranked Southeastern Conference counterparts Missouri, Alabama and LSU.

The Sooners have struggled offensively, averaging just 116.5 rushing yards per game and 292.3 yards of total offense — ranking near the bottom in FBS in both categories.

Oklahoma also has given up 39 sacks, tied for the second-most in program history and closing in on the record of 41, set in 2015.

“We’ve gotta be better,” Venables said of the Sooners’ offensive line. “We’ve gotta know the snap count, get off on the snap count.”

Oklahoma’s offensive line could look different against Maine.

Jacob Sexton, who has started every game this season at either left tackle or left guard, will be out after sustaining an ankle injury in last week’s 26-14 loss to then-No. 18 Ole Miss. Starting tackle Jake Taylor could be out for the second consecutive game with an undisclosed injury as well.

Venables said freshman Isaiah Autry-Dent, who has yet to play this season, could break into the lineup against Maine.

The Black Bears are looking for their fifth win against an FBS opponent and their first since beating UMass in 2021. Maine has shown improvement after back-to-back 2-9 seasons in Jordan Stevens’ first two seasons at the helm.

“We’re going to go compete,” Stevens said. “That’s our mindset. We’ve got to have a great week of practice and … go down there and just let it rip and play football and compete.”

Carter Peevy threw for 279 yards and a touchdown in Maine’s 24-14 setback at Rhode Island last Saturday. Montigo Moss had nine catches for 80 yards.

–Field Level Media