Redshirt senior linebacker Kendal Daniels during the game against Missouri Nov. 22.
As these photo essays have progressed alongside the Sooner season, this project will continue with them into the postseason. After a win in Tuscaloosa, the No. 8 Sooners beat the No. 22 Tigers 17-6 and will face LSU next Saturday.
Redshirt junior quarterback John Mateer and OU football head coach Brent Venables after the game against Missouri Nov. 22.
Redshirt senior linebacker Kendal Daniels during the game against Missouri Nov. 22.
The Sooners are 9-2 and a hot contender for the College Football Playoff due to their back-to-back wins in Knoxville and then in Tuscaloosa. Despite three consecutive SEC wins, their return to the Palace was not a blowout.
Redshirt junior quarterback John Mateer during the game against Missouri Nov. 22.
Oklahoma gained 276 yards. John Mateer completed 14 of 30 passes for 173 yards, then ran for 60 yards. After a slow start, with Missouri up 3-0 in the second quarter, Mateer connected with Isaiah Sategna on a 87-yard touchdown pass.
Redshirt junior wide receiver Isaiah Sategna III during the game against Missouri Nov. 22.
Redshirt junior wide receiver Isaiah Sategna III during the game against Missouri Nov. 22.
The defense did not allow the Missouri Tigers to make much headway, holding them to two field goals. Even with R Mason Thomas out with an injury, the OU defense had four sacks. Jacobe Johnson and Eli Bowen also had interceptions for the Sooners.
Redshirt junior linebacker Owen Heinecke during the game against Missouri Nov. 22.
Sophomore defensive back Eli Bowen during the game against Missouri Nov. 22.
OU football head coach Brent Venables during the game against Missouri Nov. 22.
Redshirt senior linebacker Kendal Daniels during the game against Missouri Nov. 22.
Redshirt junior linebacker Kobie McKinzie during the game against Missouri Nov. 22.
OU football head coach Brent Venables during the game against Missouri Nov. 22.
With a defense as hungry as this one, it's not a surprise that penalty flags started flying. However, Sooner fans and Brent Venables agreed that Saturday's game was full of bad calls by officials. After a blocked field goal in the second quarter, defensive lineman Gracen Halton was called for a personal foul.
From my vantage point, after the kick was blocked, Halton and the Missouri player couldn't seem to release each other. After the Missouri player fell, Halton fell on top of the athlete and — or lack of better words — took the guy for a ride.
Senior defensive lineman Gracen Halton during the game against Missouri Nov. 22.
After the foul was called, Brent Venables was visibly heated. The interaction between him and the officials caused OU fans to start cheering.
OU football head coach Brent Venables during the game against Missouri Nov. 22.
"Hell yeah Brent, that's my coach."
Sooner fan during the game against Missouri Nov. 22.
OU fan during the game against Missouri Nov. 22.
A big part of Missouri's inconsistencies was the disconnect between Beau Pribula and his team. Saturday's game marked his return from suffering an ankle injury from an earlier game against Vanderbilt.
Missouri's Beau Pribula during the game against Missouri Nov. 22.
Missouri's Beau Pribula during the game against Missouri Nov. 22.
As the College Football Playoff conversation continues to ramp up, the Sooner offense will need to do the same. OU has one final home game against the LSU Tigers. No matter how good the defense continues to be, the offense won't carry the team to a title without showing consistency.
Redshirt junior quarterback John Mateer during the game against Missouri Nov. 22.
Redshirt junior quarterback John Mateer and redshirt senior offensive lineman Febechi Nwaiwu during the game against Missouri Nov. 22.
What you don't see at home:
OU football head coach Brent Venables after the game against Missouri Nov. 22.
Senior defensive back Robert Spears Jennings during the game against Missouri Nov. 22.
OU fans yelling at Missouri's Toriano Pride Jr. during the game against Missouri Nov. 22.
Rufneck and Lil' Sis driving the Sooner Schooner during the game against Missouri Nov. 22.
Blake Hart during the game against Missouri Nov. 22.
Freshman defensive back Courtland Guillory and his little brother Cartier after the game against Missouri Nov. 22.
Denver Broncos's Delarrin Turner-Yell and Marvin Mims Jr. with Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students David Surratt before the game against Missouri Nov. 22.
Redshirt junior quarterback John Mateer signing OU fan's jersey after the game against Missouri Nov. 22.
Director of Sports Enhancement and Strength and Conditioning Jerry Schmidt and Senior defensive lineman Gracen Halton after the game against Missouri Nov. 22.
