In a rivalry almost as old as the game itself, The Texas Longhorns hosted the Oklahoma Sooners for the 110th meeting of the Red River Rivalry. The Longhorns came in as the apparent underdog, with a 1-4 record going into week six. The Sooners came in undefeated, having had some close games so far.
The first 3 drives of the game (2 for OU and 1 for Texas) resulted in 3 and outs. After their first drive, however, it didn’t take long for the Longhorns to get things going. In a 76 yard drive that took 3.25 off the clock, Jerrod Heard through a 24 yard pass to Marcus Johnson for the first score. Not to be outdone by the offense, the Longhorn’s special teams recovered an Alex Ross fumble on the kickoff and got the ball back. That drive also ended in a score, just 2 minutes after the first.
The second quarter looked like a game of push and shove with each team after their fair share of 3 and outs and unsuccessful drives. The Sooners were able to kick a field goal to gain some points on the board. They went into the locker room at half with the score being 14-3 in favor of the Longhorns.
The Longhorns started the second half with the ball. They ran 15 plays, taking 6:42 off the clock, and had to settle for a field goal. The Sooners answered with their own scoring drive, methodically taking the ball down the field to score their first touchdown. The remaining of the third quarter ended with a punt on each side.
After an 81 yard run by D’Onta Foreman to end the 3rd quarter, the longhorns tacked on another score, making it 24-10. To answer, the Sooners again drove the ball down the field, every play gaining a few yards, and scored on the 15th play. With 8 minutes left to go, the Sooners make it a one possession game.
The Sooner defense was able to hold the longhorns to another three out, with a beautiful blitz that ended with a forced throw by Tyrone Swoops and an incomplete. Now with the ball, and a chance to tie the game, the Sooners appeared that they would march it back down the field. However, the Longhorn’s Defense came up with 2 impressive sacks, forcing the Sooners to punt on 4th and more than 30.
Now with the ball, with less than 4 minutes left, the Longhorns switched into their time management game, trying to eat as much time off the clock as possible. They were successful, taking a knee and ending the game 24-17.
The Longhorns ended with no turnovers and only 5 penalties, and never trailed in this meeting of the Red River Rivalry.
Here were the key players on both teams:
Baker Mayfield was slow to start today, but seemed to pick up the pace midway through the 3rd Quarter. He ended the day 20-28 , for 211 yards.
Jerrod Heard’s day wasn’t that spectacular, if you only look at his passing plays. He ended 8-10 , for 53 yards. However, his legs worked overtime today, ending his rushing yards at 115 with 21 carries.
D’Onta Foreman had another good day, with over 100 yards rushing. He went 9 carries for 117 yards.
Sterling Shepard was the star receiver for the Sooners, ending with 6 receptions for 95 yards.
