Photo essay: OU-Tennessee Volunteers football game

Oklahoma-Tennessee football — Sooners during the game against Tennessee Nov. 1.
Annie Davenport/OU Daily

KNOXVILLE, TENN. - Covering this football season has taught me not just about the sport, but about what it means for the athletes who wear the colors of the school they love. That passion was visible on both sides, for those wearing in crimson and orange Saturday night in Neyland Stadium as OU upset Tennessee in a milestone victory of the Brent Venables era.

Walking into Rocky Top country, I instantly thought back to game four of the Sooners’ 2024 season, when Tennessee came to Norman and left with a 25-15 victory.

In game nine of the 2025 season, though, the Sooners carried a different energy. During during warmups, head coach Brent Venables stepped onto the field, more hyped than I’d ever seen him in a game. From the sideline, I could hear him say, “right here.” It sounded like a decision that whatever work was to be done would happen right there on that field, no matter what.

But the Volunteers seemed just as aware of what was at stake. Their players and fans looked like they knew this wasn’t the same battle as last year in Norman.

After the game, Venables credited the win to “the will, the grit, the toughness, and the belief.” Quarterback John Mateer said something similar. “Just belief,” he said. “Belief in the people on the other side, on the defense and belief in ourselves. We didn’t get it done early in the game, but we knew we’d have other opportunities.”

Mateer had his best game since having thumb surgery on Sept. 24, throwing for 159 yards and ran for 80 yards. In the first half, defense carried the Sooners led by a scoop-and-score 71-yard fumble return to keep the Sooners in the game when Tennessee got off to a fast start.

Junior kicker Tate Sandell led to the Sooner's victory, making four field goals including one from 55 yards and another one from 51. "This is the best times of my life right here, I am thankful that lord has blessed me with these opportunities."

Spend much time around OU and you'll hear the phrase "Sooner Magic." On Saturday night, when the Sooners forced three turnovers, the defense seemed to have a wand — stifling the Volunteers time after time throughout the night.

Mateer ran the game-winning touchdown across with less than two minutes left in the game. Sooners claimed victory with a 33-27 score win. His celebration for his touchdown was one that Baker Mayfield had done at Neyland Stadium in 2015.