Oklahoma (4-3, 1-3 SEC) fell to South Carolina (4-3, 2-3 SEC) 35-9 at Gaylord Family β€” Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman on Saturday.

After falling out of the AP poll for the first time since 2022 following its 34-3 loss to No. 1 Texas (6-0, 2-0 SEC), OU looked to respond against the Gamecocks. However, early turnovers, a quarterback change and the inability to execute handed the Sooners their third loss of the season.

Here are three takeaways from OU’s 26-point loss:

Earlier turnovers leads to quarterback change

Five minutes into the first quarter, Oklahoma was already looking down a 21-0 deficit after freshman quarterback Michael Hawkins Jr. turned over the ball three times.

In nine snaps Hawkins threw two interceptions β€” one of which was returned for a touchdown β€” and he also fumbled, which was returned for a touchdown, allowing South Carolina to go up by three scores before the middle mark of the first.

β€œWhy not?” former Oklahoma head football coach Bob Stoops said on the radio about making a quarterback change after the third turnover. β€œI’m all for it.”

On the next drive, OU would substitute sophomore quarterback Jackson Arnold in. Arnold, who started the first four games of the season, was replaced by Hawkins in the second quarter of the Tennessee game.

Before losing the starting spot, Arnold had completed 61 of 102 passes for 538 yards, seven touchdowns and three interceptions. He also had 41 rushing attempts for 138 yards and two touchdowns. Against South Carolina, Arnold finished 18 of 36 for 225 yards and a touchdown.

After a fumble by junior running back Jovante Barnes in the fourth, the Gamecocks forced OU to turnover the ball four times.

OU fails to make plays

Oklahoma’s opportunities to make plays were limited on Saturday.

However, when OU was presented with a chance to make a dent in the point differential, it could not execute.

With 13:57 left to go in second, the Sooners decided to fake a punt from their own 30 yard line. Redshirt fifth year punter Luke Elzinga completed a pass to redshirt junior tight end Bauer Sharp, but he was short of the first down, giving South Carolina the ball at the 26 yard line.

After Arnold found junior Brenen Thompson for a 54-yard touchdown pass during OU’s first drive of the second half, notching Oklahoma’s longest scoring play of the season, decided to go for two.

Sharp was stopped short of the goal line, before proceeding to fumble.

Oklahoma struggles

Despite OU out throwing South Carolina 238 yards to 180, the Gamecocks were able to capitalize off turnovers and the run game.

South Carolina had 74 yards on the ground compared to Oklahoma’s 53. The Sooners also gave up nine sacks in the contest.

Next, OU will face No. 18 Mississippi (5-2, 1-2 SEC) at 11 a.m. on Saturday in Oxford.

Scoring updates

South Carolina 35, OU 9 (4Q 7:48)

South Carolina added to its lead with another field goal.

South Carolina 32, OU 9 (3Q 7:33)

Sophomore quarterback Jackson Arnold connected with Brenen Thompson for a 54-yard touchdown pass. OU failed to convert the two-point conversion.

South Carolina 32, OU 3 (2Q 1:54)

Gamecocks' quarterback LaNorris Sellers completed a 33-yard touchdown pass to Joshua Simon. South Carolina converted the two-point conversion.

South Carolina 24, OU 3 (2Q 5:17)

Zach Schmit made a 44-yard field goal to put the Sooners on the board.

South Carolina 24, OU 0 (2Q 12:05)

South Carolina added to its lead with a 39-yard field goal.

South Carolina 21, OU 0 (1Q 9:33)

Freshman quarterback Michael Hawkins Jr.'s pass was intercepted and returned 65 yards for a Gamecock touchdown. Hawkins has committed three turnovers in the first six minutes of the game.

South Carolina 14, OU 0 (1Q 11:21)

Freshman quarterback Michael Hawkins Jr. fumbled, which South Carolina recovered and returned 36 yards for a touchdown.

South Carolina 7, OU 0 (1Q 12:33)

Freshman quarterback Michael Hawkins Jr.'s first pass of the game was intercepted. South Carolina took the ensuing drive 41 yards for a touchdown.

Reactions

Injury report

Junior wide receiver Deion Burks is listed as a game time decision on the SEC's availability report. He was going through pregame warmups and is dressed in uniform.

OU will be without wide receivers Jayden Gibson, Jalil Farooq, Nic Anderson, Andrel Anthony, cornerback Gentry Williams, tight end Kade McIntyre and running back Sam Franklin.

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