Stay in the loop

Get our top OU and Norman stories in your inbox. Free newsletter sign up

OU (7-2, 3-2 SEC) defeated Tennessee 33-27 (6-3, 3-3) at Neyland Stadium.

Mateer postgame 

OU redshirt junior quarterback John Mateer attributed the win to his determined mentality.

"Whatever it takes to win, it's our motto in the quarterback room, and that's the truth," Mateer said to ESPN's Holly Rowe. "We needed this game, and we all knew it. Whatever it took is what I was going to do." 

Tennessee shortens OU lead

Senior kicker Max Gilbert completes a 48-yard field goal to make the Sooners' lead 33-27. 

Mateer rushes into end zone in 4Q

Mateer finds his way into the end zone for a 1-yard rushing touchdown with 57 seconds remaining in fourth quarter.

Tennessee cuts into lead

Senior quarterback Joey Aguilar finds sophomore wide receiver Mike Matthews in the end zone for a 15-yard touchdown with 1:56 remaining in the fourth quarter.

Mateer throws interception

Mateer throws an interception into Tennessee redshirt freshman Edwin Spillman's arms.

Sandell takes OU lead to 26-17

Redshirt junior kicker Tate Sandell completes a 55-yard field goal with 11:05 remaining in the fourth quarter.

Robinson gives OU lead near end of 3Q

Sophomore running back Xavier Robinson powers through the defense for a 4-yard touchdown to give the Sooners a 23-17 lead with 2:48 remaining in the third quarter.

Farooq forces Tennessee fumble

Sophomore defensive back Edrees Farooq forces Robinson to fumble the ball before Farooq recovers it.

Staley puts Tennessee back in front

Tennessee scores off senior quarterback Joey Aguilar and freshman wide receiver Braylon Staley's connection again with a 54-yard touchdown as 11:52 remains in the third quarter.

OU defense dominates in 1st half

The Sooners recorded 54 tackles, two interceptions and one fumble in the first half. Thomas' fumble return is the longest in program history.

The offense, however, recorded 99 yards in the first half with only 44 from Mateer and 13 from redshirt junior wide receiver Isaiah Sategna, who leads the Sooners in season receiving yards.

Sandell expands OU lead

Redshirt junior kicker Tate Sandell makes a 40-yard field goal to bring the score to 16-10 with seconds remaining in the second quarter.

Spears-Jennings records an interception

OU senior defensive back Robert Spears-Jennings intercepts senior quarterback Joey Aguilar's pass.

Sandell puts OU in lead

Sandell makes a 51-yard field goal to bring the score to 13-10 with 1:08 remaining in the second quarter.

OU's Peyton Bowen intercepts Aguilar's pass

Junior defensive back Peyton Bowen intercepts Aguilar's pass and runs for 37 yards.

Sandell ties game with field goal

OU's Sandell makes a 55-yard field goal to bring the score to 10-10 with 7:36 remaining in second quarter.

Thomas not expected to return

ESPN's Holly Rowe announced on the broadcast that OU senior defensive lineman R Mason Thomas is not expected to play for the remainder of the game.

Tennessee makes field goal to reclaim lead

Sophomore kicker Max Gilbert converts on a 45-yard field goal, giving Tennessee a 10-7 lead with 1:51 remaining in the first quarter.

Thomas in OU injury tent

Thomas is being evaluated in the injury tent after scoring OU's first touchdown of the game.

Thomas returns fumble for OU touchdown

Redshirt junior linebacker Owen Heinecke forces a fumble, which Thomas returns for a 71-yard touchdown, making it 7-7 with 9:23 remaining in the first quarter.

OU scoreless in 1st drive

Redshirt junior quarterback John Mateer misses senior tight end Jaren Kanak on a 5-yard pass to close a 14-yard drive from the Sooners.

Aguilar puts Tennessee up in 1Q

Aguilar connects with freshman wide receiver Braylon Staley for a 5-yard touchdown to cap off the Volunteers' 71-yard opening drive, making it 7-0 with 11:17 remaining in the first quarter.

Venables calls early timeout

OU head coach Brent Venables calls a timeout after a pass interference on freshman defensive back Courtland Guillory.

Pregame availability report

Redshirt senior wide receiver Keontez Lewis is listed as out, while redshirt junior linebacker Kobie McKinzie is a game-time decision. 

Pregame coverage from Knoxville

OU fans tailgate on boat in 'Vol Navy'

OU Daily joins OU athletic director Joe Castiglione for breakfast tradition ahead of game

OU Daily staffer reviews Tennessee sandwich ahead of game against Volunteers

OU Daily standards

See an error? Earning trust is our duty. We correct errors atop stories. Identify an error, request a takedown or get in touch.

Independent and free since 1916: OU is committed to our editorial independence. You can help ensure our reporting remains strong and accessible to all invested in OU and Norman.

Want to comment? We value dialogue on issues we cover. On our social media accounts, we moderate disparagements, arguments and attacks, including those directed at our staff — and ban those repeatedly failing civility. The editor considers guest column submissions.