Tag: red river showdown

Advantages, disadvantages and early preview of Texas vs. Oklahoma

We take an early look at Red River for the 2024 season.

The Texas Longhorns and Oklahoma Sooners play next season in the Cotton Bowl like they have since 1929. For the first time, the teams will play as members of the SEC.

The game will be of added importance for Texas after losing last year. While the Oklahoma game might have been on the back burner in preparation for Alabama last offseason, the Sooners should be the Longhorns’ top priority out of spring ball.

Oklahoma stunned Texas in Dallas in 2023. The game went down to the final seconds as the Sooners drove downfield with ease to take the lead with 15 seconds left.

Several faces from the game won’t be on the field for both teams. The Longhorns lose their dynamic interior defensive duo of T’Vondre Sweat and Byron Murphy along with the majority of their receiving production. The Sooners will have a new offensive coordinator, quarterback and mostly new offensive line.

Let’s look at a few advantages and disadvantages each team will have in the game.

‘Hornsdown4life’: Caleb Williams declares for the NFL draft

Heisman Trophy winner Caleb Williams declares for the NFL draft in post saying, “HornsDown4Life.”

Former Oklahoma Sooners quarterback and Heisman trophy winner Caleb Williams declared for the NFL draft on Monday.

In a post to the social media platform X, Williams said, “Since I was 10, all I ever wanted to do was to play football. The journey would be empty without the people who have supported and loved me. I will Fight On forever and rep HornsDown4Life. I’m ready to do whatever it takes. I am officially declaring for the NFL draft.”

Though he didn’t finish his career with the Oklahoma Sooners, Caleb Williams will live in OU-Texas lore forever.

The Sooners were down 28-7 early in the second quarter. Facing a fourth and one, Williams entered and, after a quarterback draw, ran 66 yards to the endzone for a touchdown.

More: Social media reacts to Sooners incredible comeback win over Texas

After Spencer Rattler’s second turnover of the game with 2:52 left in the quarter, Williams came in for good.

More: Caleb Williams shares message of support for former teammates ahead of Red River Showdown

On his next drive, Williams orchestrated a field goal drive to cut the Texas lead to 15. Though Texas would answer to go into halftime up 18 points, the first half set the stage for one of the most legendary comebacks in the history of the sport.

After punting on their first possession, Oklahoma scored on their next five possessions and the defense held Texas to just three points and the Sooners took the lead. Along the way, Williams hit Marvin Mims for a couple of deep balls, aided by some incredible catches by Mims.

Williams and Mims combined for one of the most incredible plays in the history of the game. Facing a 3rd and 19, Williams had time in the pocket, but as the protection began to break, he found space in the middle of the pocket and, on the run and on one foot, threw a dime to the front corner of the end zone. Mims made an incredible adjustment on the ball and made the iconic catch while diving into the endzone.

Though his relationship with Oklahoma may be complicated, Williams made an impact in his short time in Norman. Even in the wake of Lincoln Riley’s departure, Williams stuck around for the Alamo Bowl with Bob Stoops even though it was expected he’d follow Riley to USC.

He helped Oklahoma go 6-2 as the starting quarterback. Though games against Baylor and Oklahoma State were let-down performances, some of that responsibility falls on the coaching staff as well.

But for Williams, he’ll always be remembered for what he was able to accomplish in the Red River Showdown as the Sooners came back to stun the Longhorns.

More: Best photos of Caleb Williams time with the Oklahoma Sooners

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Texas, Oklahoma agree on extension with Cotton Bowl through 2036

College football’s greatest rivalry will continue to be played in the Cotton Bowl for the foreseeable future.

On Wednesday, the Texas Longhorns made an official announcement that the annual football rivalry game against the Oklahoma Sooners will be extended through 2036. Continue reading “Texas, Oklahoma agree on extension with Cotton Bowl through 2036”

Texas QB Quinn Ewers corrects himself, finishes strong despite loss

After a sluggish start, Quinn Ewers corrected himself and finished strong

Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers finished the Red River Rivalry game with 346 passing yards, completing 31/37 of his passes (83.8%), one passing touchdown, and three turnovers.

The sophomore started the game slow after throwing an interception to Oklahoma’s Gentry Williams on the second play of the game. The Sooners then scored a touchdown in just over a minute.

On Texas’ next possession, the Longhorn offense made their way downfield, but a pass thrown by Ewers bounced off Texas tight end Ja’Tavion Sanders and was intercepted by Oklahoma defender Kendel Colby.

Despite starting the game slowly, Ewers solidified himself by completing 27 of his next 29 passes for 364 yards and a touchdown. Ewers proved to everyone that he could step up when he needed to and that he was not the reason the game was lost.

The Texas quarterback had his second-best game of the year and is becoming the player that Texas needs him to be. Texas is scheduled to face the Houston Cougars on Oct. 21 after the bye week.

By the numbers: Texas outgains Oklahoma in Red River Rivalry loss

Looking at the final numbers in Texas’ sour defeat.

The No. 3 Texas Longhorns dropped a stunner on Saturday to rival No. 12 Oklahoma, 34-30. Every year, the Red River Rivalry brings out the best of both teams and previous records and statistics must be thrown out.

Texas only had the lead twice in the game, and the first one was an 85-yard drive that ended with quarterback Quinn Ewers finding tight end Gunnar Helm in the end zone for a 22-yard pitch and catch on fourth down.

The second time Texas took the lead was in the fourth quarter when they capped off an 11-play, 55-yard drive with a 47-yard field goal by Bert Auburn.

Head coach Steve Sarkisian ultimately left too much time on the clock for Oklahoma, in which they scored in just under a minute to take the lead back and win the game.

Despite three crucial injuries to key players, including Jake Majors at center, Jalen Catalon at safety, and Ja’Tavion Sanders at tight end, and three turnovers, Texas only lost by four points on the biggest stage yet.

Although Texas outgained Oklahoma, the only thing that matters is the win. Here are the final numbers in Texas’ defeat versus Oklahoma.

Relive the Oklahoma Sooners stunning win over Texas with some incredible Images

Relive the Oklahoma Sooners incredible win over the Texas Longhorns with some of the best photos from the Red River Rivalry.

The Oklahoma Sooners and the Texas Longhorns played another classic in the Red River Rivalry. It was a game that lived up to the billing of a pair of undefeated teams in the top 12 in the nation going to battle for Big 12 superiority.

It was an incredible performance from an Oklahoma Sooners team that few outside of the Sooner State gave a chance to win the game. The win gives the Sooners a direct path to the Big 12 title game and maybe more if they can take care of business the rest of the way.

The Oklahoma Sooners moved up in both the US LBM Coaches Poll and the AP Top 25 after their huge win over Texas.

In case you missed it, check out our 5 takeaways from the win and the social media reactions from Sooner Nation.

Here’s a look at some of the best photos from the Sooners win over Texas.

Texas defense disappears in heartbreaking loss to Oklahoma

Texas’ defense struggled against Oklahoma.

The No. 12 Oklahoma Sooners defeated No. 3 Texas in the annual Red River Rivalry, 34-30.Texas’ defense seemed to disappear, allowing 201 rushing yards to the Sooners.

The Texas Longhorns gave up a touchdown with just 15 seconds left in the game with a pass by Dillon Gabriel to the corner of the endzone to put the Sooners up by four.

It seemed like the tide was shifting in favor of Texas after forcing Oklahoma to punt with 1:47 left in the game.

The Longhorns then drove down the field, and with the help of kicker Bert Auburn made the game 30-27.

The defense then allowed a five-play 75-yard drive, only taking one minute to put Oklahoma back on top.

Oklahoma dominated the trenches all game in which not a lot of people predicted. The Texas defensive line cause no pressure, which gave Gabriel time to throw and make plays on his legs when he needed to.

Texas now has to sit on this loss for two weeks before they take on Houston on October 21st.

Takeaways from Texas’ 34-30 loss to Oklahoma

Texas has plenty to reassess after Saturday’s tough loss to Oklahoma.

Oklahoma stunned Texas on Saturday. The Sooners coaching staff was all over this game plan and the team executed the plan from the start.

There’s plenty to unpack from the game, but the ultimate takeaway is simple: Oklahoma played a great game and was better than Texas on the day. The game seemed to Oklahoma what the Alabama game was to Texas. The Sooners had an opportunity to make a statement and they did. They prepared to make a statement and won.

The biggest surprises were that Sooners won the trenches and quarterback Dillon Gabriel diced up the Longhorns through the run.

Much of the victory in the trenches came through scheme, but the Longhorns did not match the Sooners’ effort. Oklahoma wanted it more and it was evident from the first play. Texas sauntered into a buzz saw.

Let’s look at a few takeaways from Saturday’s game.

Oklahoma stuns Texas, upends Longhorns’ undefeated season

The late-game effort wasn’t enough for Texas to hold off the Sooners.

Oklahoma beat Texas. It wasn’t a game in which the Longhorns didn’t show up. The Sooners just beat them.

The Oklahoma coaching staff led by Brent Venables and Jeff Lebby had all the answers against Texas. The Sooners’ masterful coaching job had their team a step ahead of the Longhorns at every turn.

While the Longhorns are 5-1 and could have another shot at the Sooners, the game leaves salt-like sting in the wound for Texas.

Oklahoma quarterback Dillon Gabriel played great football making several conversions on the ground as well as through the air. Gabriel finished the game 23-for-38 with 285 passing yards and a touchdown through the air. He added 113 yards and a touchdown on 14 carries.

Despite the 3-0 turnover margin, Texas climbed its way back from down 27-17. Longhorns quarterback Quinn Ewers had three turnovers on the day.

Ewers battled back to finish 31-for-37 with 346 yards and a touchdown after a 24 of 25 stretch to end the game. Ultimately, the -3 turnover margin was too much to overcome.

Oklahoma proved to be much better than expected this season. Credit Sooners head coach Brent Venables for the job he has done to bring the team back to championship caliber football.

Texas falls to 5-1 with a likely fall out of the Top 10 next week. The Longhorns will have a bye week to regroup before a road trip to face the Houston Cougars.

Oklahoma leads Texas at the half, 20-17

No. 12 Oklahoma leads No. 3 Texas at halftime.

No. 12 Oklahoma leads No. 3 Texas 20-17 at the half. While the Sooners came out swinging, the Longhorns struggled early.

The Texas offense started slow with an interception on the first possession of the game. The interception led to a Sooner touchdown.

After driving the field with some trickery through fake punts and fourth down conversions, Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers’ pass to tight end Ja’Tavion Sanders was intercepted.

Texas answered the interception with a block punt for a touchdown.

The game has been back and forth, but Oklahoma seems to have all the momentum after kicking a field goal as time expired. In addition, the Sooners get the ball after halftime with a chance to make it a two-score game.

From the offensive line struggling to poor tackling on defense, the Longhorns will have to come out of halftime with major adjustments. Despite the team’s struggles, the game is well within reach.

The Red River Rivalry never disappoints, and this year seems to be shaping up as an instant classic.