Oklahoma-Alabama football

Sophomore defensive back Eli Bowen during the game against Alabama Nov. 15.

 Annie Davenport/OU Daily

No. 11 OU (8-2, 4-2 SEC) defeated No. 4 Alabama (8-2, 6-1) 23-21 at Bryant-Denny Stadium.

"Everybody on this team, we have beliefs, and when you have beliefs, you can do amazing things," redshirt junior quarterback John Mateer said to ESPN after the game. "And that's a good team, but we came in and did what we needed to do."

Playoff picture

The Sooners are currently the first team out of the College Football Playoffs. They are No. 11 in the rankings but project as out due to the five-highest conference champions receiving automatic bids. 

“We all know we have a chance to determine our destiny and keep it right in front of us, so that's our goal,” Mateer said on Monday.

Peyton Bowen closes out OU win 

Junior defensive back Peyton Bowen broke off a pass to solidify the Sooners' victory.

Tate Sandell makes 24-yard field goal in 4Q

Redshirt junior kicker Tate Sandell makes his third field goal of the game with 13:41 remaining in the fourth quarter.

OU's Taylor Wein forces fumble in 3Q

Redshirt sophomore defensive lineman Taylor Wein forces a fumble before redshirt senior linebacker Kendal Daniels recovers the ball with 50 seconds remaining in the third quarter.

Daniel Hill takes it into end zone in 3Q

Alabama sophomore running back completes another 1-yard rushing touchdown with 7:27 remaining in the third quarter.

Tate Sandell completes 52-yard field goal in 3Q

Redshirt junior kicker Tate Sandell makes the Sooners' lead 20-14 with a 52-yard field goal as 11:33 remain in the third quarter.

Halftime outlook

The Sooners are up 17-14 at the half despite recording only 107 yards so far. The defense has led the Sooners outside of a Mateer touchdown rush. They forced two turnovers in the first half, including sophomore defensive back Eli Bowen's pick-six and a junior linebacker Sammy Omosigho fumble recovery.

Alabama's Josh Cuevas cuts into lead in 2Q

Redshirt junior quarterback Ty Simpson connects with senior tight end Josh Cuevas for a 25-yard touchdown to make the score 17-14 with 6:13 remaining in the second quarter.

John Mateer rushing touchdown in 2Q

Mateer spins around multiple defenders for a 20-yard touchdown to give the Sooners' a 17-7 lead with 8:49 left in the second quarter.

Daniel Hill rushes into end zone for Alabama

Hill speeds past defenders for a 1-yard touchdown.

Eli Bowen expands OU lead with pick-six

Bowen intercepts Simpson's pass and takes it 87 yards for a touchdown with 2:03 remaining in the first quarter.

OU scoreless in 2nd drive

OU's second drive ends with Mateer completing a 6-yard pass to redshirt junior wide receiver Isaiah Sategna on third and 23 before a Sooners' punt on fourth down.

Tate Sandell gives OU early lead

Sandell completes a 25-yard field goal with 11:33 remaining in the first quarter.

Alabama scoreless in opening drive

Simpson finish the opening drive with an incomplete pass with 14:50 to go in the first quarter.

Pregame coverage from Alabama

OU fan drives boat 800 miles for Alabama game
 

Pregame availability report

Senior defensive lineman R Mason Thomas and redshirt junior defensive back Gentry Williams have officially been ruled out, while sophomore defensive lineman Jayden Jackson is a game-time decision. 

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