11/02/2025
A few obvious takeaways from Oklahoma's 33-27 road victory over No. 14 Tennessee last night:
1. Kicker Tate Sandell firmly established himself as OU's offensive MVP this season with a performance for the ages - kicking field goals of 55, 51, 40 and 55 yards and going 3 for 3 on point-after kicks.... the two 55 yarders tie him for the longest field goals in Neyland Stadium history. He has now made 18 straight field goals this season and his calm under pressure has given the OU offense a major shot in the arm - over and over and over.
2. The strip-sack by Owen Heinecke created the biggest play of the game - after Tennessee had taken a 7-0 lead and was driving to potentially extend the lead - Heinecke's big hit forced the ball to bound in R Mason Thomas' direction - he scooped it with one arm, held off a Vols tight end with a stiff arm for 22 yard before finally breaking free and finishing off a 71-yard defensive TD for the Sooners. It allowed OU to reset and Brent Venables' crew allowed only three more points the rest of the half, while producing two more critical takeaways that helped stake the visitors to a 16-10 halftime lead.
3. Two plays prior to the Heinecke/Thomas collaboration, Peyton Bowen laid a huge hit on Braylon Staley, separating the WR from the ball on what would have been a 30-yard gain. The hit was just one example of how Oklahoma played a more physical game than its host.
4. After forcing just four turnovers all season, the Sooners had three against Tennessee in the first half. Heinecke had the forced fumble, Bowen had his first career interception that led to a field goal, and Robert Spears-Jennings had a pick that set up another Sandell field goal to end the half and a 16-10 lead.
5. After trailing 256-99 in total yards at the half, QB John Mateer and the OU offense came to life in the second half, outgaining the Vols 252-200 after the intermission. Mateer threw for 159 yards and ran for 80 and a TD.
The win not only keeps OU in the middle of the playoff race, but surpasses its win total from two of the last three seasons (6-7).
It's going to be fun to see how this team takes the momentum from this huge win and applies it to the last three regular season games!
