Oklahoma-Alabama football

Redshirt junior quarterback John Mateer and OU football head coach Brent Venables after the game against Alabama Nov. 15.

 Annie Davenport/OU Daily

OU held off Alabama in a closely contested game to secure a 23–21 victory, snapping the Crimson Tide’s 17-game home winning streak, the longest active streak in FBS.

The Sooners built an early lead through defensive and special-teams plays, while Alabama responded with multiple scoring drives that kept the game within a single possession. 

Here are the top six plays that shaped the game.

6. Peyton Bowen breaks up pass to seal the win

With less than a minute remaining, OU’s defense delivered the game-clinching play. After a 15-yard completion on third down, Alabama faced fourth-and-six with just under a minute to go. Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson dropped back and launched a pass toward the sideline, but junior safety Peyton Bowen swatted the ball away, breaking up the throw.  The incompletion gave OU possession with 50 seconds left, and the Sooners were able to run out the clock, preserving the 23–21 victory.

5. Sategna return sets up Sandell’s record-setting field goal

OU’s first scoring opportunity came after redshirt junior wide receiver Isaiah Sategna broke free for a 42-yard punt return in their first possession of the game. Sategna’s return set the Sooners up past midfield and gave OU immediate field-position leverage.

OU’s drive stalled, but redshirt junior kicker Tate Sandell converted from short range to give OU a 3-0 lead. The kick was Sandell’s 19th consecutive field goal completion, setting a new school record and establishing an early lead that forced Alabama to play from behind.

4. Hardy’s punch-out leads to OU takeaway

Sophomore safety Jaydan Hardy delivered a decisive hit to the ball in Alabama punt returner Ryan Williams’ hands that knocked the ball free. Junior linebacker Sammy Omosigho recovered the loose ball around midfield. 

Taking advantage of the turnover, redshirt junior quarterback John Mateer turned in a critical red-zone play. On the next snap, he gained yardage despite stumbling near the 5-yard line and powered into the end zone for a 20-yard rushing touchdown, his team-leading seventh of the season. The run extended OU’s lead to 17–7 with just over eight minutes left in the half.

3. Wein blocks field goal to preserve lead

As the first half wound down, Alabama lined up for a 36-yard field goal to tie the game. Redshirt sophomore defensive end Taylor Wein jumped over the Alabama line and got a touch to the kick, sending it left of the goal posts and preserving OU’s 17–14 lead at halftime.

The block was OU’s first field-goal block since Perrion Winfrey accomplished the same against Texas in 2020. The play prevented Alabama from tying the game before the half, maintaining the Sooners’ momentum and giving them a narrow lead to start the second half. 

2. Eli Bowen swings momentum with pick-6

On the next Alabama possession, sophomore safety Reggie Powers III delivered a hit that knocked the ball loose from the hands of Alabama running back Daniel Hill. Although the Sooners appeared positioned for a takeaway, redshirt junior linebacker Kobie McKinzie was unable to secure the ball. Alabama wide receiver Lotzeir Brooks recovered for a first down, allowing the Crimson Tide to retain possession.

On the next play, the Sooners forced the turnover they had been looking for. Redshirt junior linebacker Kip Lewis pressured Simpson, who hurried a throw into the hands of sophomore cornerback Eli Bowen. Bowen returned the interception 87 yards for a touchdown, giving OU a 10-0 lead.

The play marked Bowen’s second career interception; both have come against Alabama, including one in last year’s game in Norman. His 87-yard return was the longest interception or any return play for OU this season.

1. Wein strip-sack sets up go-ahead field goal

Late in the third quarter, Wein forced a strip-sack on Simpson, with redshirt senior linebacker Kendal Daniels recovering at the Alabama 28-yard line. The turnover was OU’s third of the game and ended a Crimson Tide possession that had been building momentum.

OU’s drive stalled in the red zone, but Sandell made a 24-yard field goal to put the Sooners ahead 23–21, giving OU its first lead of the fourth quarter. The turnover and subsequent field goal effectively reversed Alabama’s momentum, giving the Sooners the lead that they would maintain until the final whistle.

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