Oklahoma (4-4,1-4 SEC) lost to No. 18 Mississippi (6-2, 2-2 SEC) 26-14 in Oxford on Saturday. 

Here are three takeaways from OU's loss: 

No Littrell, no problem

Oklahoma’s offense thrived to start its first game since firing co-offensive coordinator and play caller Seth Littrell and promoting Joe Jon Finley to play caller and Kevin Johns to co-offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach.

The Sooners put together a pair of 60-plus yard drives to start the game, and totaled 235 yards of offense in the first half, which is more than they had in the previous two weeks combined.

OU’s biggest improvement came in the form of its rushing attack. The Sooners averaged 4.2 yards per carry in the first half and ran 30 times for 125 yards.

Sophomore quarterback Jackson Arnold threw two touchdown passes, including one just before the half where he escaped a likely sack to find freshman wide receiver Jacob Jordan in the front corner of the end zone.

Slow second half

Oklahoma appeared poised to make a run at an upset after heading into halftime with a 14-10 lead and receiving the ball to start the second half.

However, OU’s offense reverted to its usual self, gaining 23 total yards on three third quarter drives, and totaling -5 passing yards. The Sooners gained one first down in that time and committed three penalties.

Defensively, the Sooners allowed a pair of touchdowns and a field goal to start the half. Mississippi gained 201 total yards in the third quarter, which is more than it had in the first half.

Oklahoma was outscored 16-0 in the second half of its loss to Mississippi.

Offensive line adjustments

The Sooners deployed their seventh different offensive line combination in eight games on Saturday.

Redshirt sophomore Jake Taylor didn’t make the trip to Oxford, causing redshirt freshman Heath Ozaeta to start at left guard. Junior left tackle Jacob Sexton suffered an injury in the first half and was replaced by freshman Logan Howland.

OU entered Saturday having allowed 29 sacks, second most nationally. The Sooners allowed nine sacks and 15 tackles for loss against Mississippi.

 Scoring Updates 

Final: Mississippi 26, Oklahoma 14 

Mississippi 26, Oklahoma 14 (4Q 14:51) 

Oklahoma stopped Mississippi on its own 32 yard line on third and two. Mississippi senior placekicker Caden Davis made a 42 yard field goal. 

Mississippi 23, Oklahoma 14 (3Q 5:20) 

Mississippi senior defensive tackle JJ Pegues ran up the middle for a 1 yard rushing touchdown. 

Mississippi 16, Oklahoma 14 (3Q 9:34) 

Mississippi senior quarterback Jaxson Dart found senior tight end Caden Prieskorn for a 24 yard touchdown pass. Senior placekicker Caden Davis missed the extra point kick. 

Halftime: Oklahoma 14, Mississippi 10 

After re-earning the starting spot during the South Carolina, sophomore quarterback Jackson Arnold has led OU against Mississippi. At halftime Arnold is 10 of 13 for 110 yards and two touchdowns. Oklahoma also rushed the ball 30 times for 125 yards. 

Mississippi senior quarterback Jaxson Dart is 8 of 13 for 119 yards and no touchdowns. It has 18 rushing attempts for 43 yards. 

The Sooners will get the ball to start the third quarter. 

Oklahoma 14, Mississippi 10 (2Q 0:06) 

Sophomore quarterback Jackson Arnold fought off a sack to find freshman wide receiver Jacob Jordan for a 9-yard touchdown catch in the corner of end zone.

 Mississippi 10, Oklahoma 7 (2Q 7:29) 

Mississippi senior place kicker Caden Davis' 35-yard field goal attempt was good. 

Oklahoma 7, Mississippi 7 (1Q 2:18) 

Oklahoma ties Mississippi 7-7 after sophomore quarterback Jackson Arnold found redshirt junior tight end Bauer Sharp for an 11-yard touchdown pass in the first quarter.  

Mississippi 7, Oklahoma 0 (1Q 12:36) 

Mississippi scores on the first drive of the game. Senior running back Henry Parrish Jr. had a 9-yard rushing touchdown to tally the first score of the day. 

Highlights 

Oklahoma senior defensive lineman Ethan Downs stops Mississippi senior wide receiver Antwane Wells Jr. during a fourth and one attempt. 

 A squirrel makes its way onto the field, stops game play and scores a touchdown. 

Mississippi stops Oklahoma near the goal line on fourth down with 7:16 to go in the first quarter. 

Injury Report 

According to the SEC injury report, which was updated at 9:30 a.m., Oklahoma will be missing nine players. 

Wide receivers Jayden Gibson, Jalil Farooq, Nic Anderson, Andrel Anthony and Deion Burks will be unavailable.  Defensive backs Gentry Williams and Kendel Dolby as well as running back Gavin Sawchuk and offensive lineman Geirean Hatchett. 

Also, according to an OU spokesperson, offensive lineman Jake Taylor did not make the trip to Oxford. 

Mississippi has ruled running backs Matt Jones and Logan Diggs, and offensive lineman Jayden Williams and cornerback Cedrick Beavers out. 

Wide receiver Tre Harris, who leads the nation with 987 receiving yards, has been listed as a game time decision. 

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