Oklahoma (6-7, 2-6) fell to Navy (10-3, 7-2) 21-20 in the Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl on Friday in Fort Worth.

Here are three takeaways from the Sooners’ loss:

Young offense on display, gets off to a hot start

On the opening drive, redshirt sophomore running back Gavin Sawchuck gave the Sooners an early lead. The Sooners ran the ball for 46 yards in the first drive, easily converting on downs.

Score fast 💨@G27football | 📺 ESPN pic.twitter.com/mZuWMmYVUX
— Oklahoma Football (@OU_Football) December 27, 2024

In the first quarter, freshman quarterback Michael Hawkins Jr rushed for 16 yards to pick up the first down. After picking up the first, Hawkins was able to escape pressure to hit freshman wide receiver Zion Kearney for a 56-yard pass, resulting in another touchdown to put the Sooners up 14-0 in the first quarter.

Oklahoma faked a punt, resulting redshirt senior punter Luke Elzinga pass to redshirt senior cornerback Woodi Washington for 28 yards.

Michael Hawkins flashes potential, has room to improve

Hawkins reminded fans of one of his main attributes – his speed. He avoided a sack on the touchdown pass to Kearney after rolling left and speeding back over to the right side of the field until he found his open receiver.

Catch 'em if you can 🔄@mikehawkinsj x @ZionKearney2024 pic.twitter.com/kIIQQzhRkQ
— Oklahoma Football (@OU_Football) December 27, 2024

After a dropped pass from Kearney, Hawkins kept the ball and rushed to convert from 3rd and 10 near the end of the second quarter.

However, he overthrew the ball many times and fumbled the ball in the third quarter, which Navy recovered at OU’s 26-yard line.

Hawkins finished with 247 passing yards, 61 rushing yards and two touchdowns.

Inconsistencies remain a problem for Oklahoma

The Sooners were stuffed on two attempts to convert on 4th and 1, turning it over on downs twice in the second quarter and resulting in a Navy touchdown drive. Oklahoma also failed to convert on third down multiple times after a strong start. Following the last attempt, Elzinga delivered an 11-yard punt.

The vast differences between the first and second quarter demonstrate the inconsistencies that have plagued the offense throughout the season. While Kearney recorded 56 yards and a touchdown in the half, he also dropped an open pass that could have helped the Sooners score again before halftime.

After being forced to punt, OU’s defense took the field in hopes to get a stop in the third. Instead, Navy’s junior quarterback Blake Horvath broke free for a 94-yard run up the middle, resulting in a touchdown to tie the game 14-14.

With 0:26 remaining in the third quarter, Hawkins broke free and ran into the end zone, only for the touchdown to be called back due to a holding penalty on redshirt junior right guard Febechi Nwaiwu.

On a final push from the offense in the fourth quarter, Hawkins connected with senior tight end Jake Roberts in the endzone. However, as the Sooners elected to try for the two-point conversation to win the game, they were not successful.

The Sooners repeatedly prevented themselves from converting scoring opportunities.

Live Updates

Navy 21, Oklahoma 20 (4Q 0:06)

Hawkins connects with senior tight end Jake Roberts for the last touchdown of the game.

Navy 21, Oklahoma 14 (4Q 4:34)

Horvath completes a six-yard rushing touchdown to give Navy the lead.

Oklahoma 14, Navy 14 (3Q 3:49)

Navy junior quarterback Blake Horvath speeds past Oklahoma's defense for a 95-yard rushing touchdown.

Halftime: Oklahoma 14, Navy 7

"Out of halftime, we got to get back into a really good rhythm on defense and get the ball back to our offense with good field position," head coach Brent Venables said to ESPN at halftime.

Oklahoma 14, Navy 7 (2Q 3:40)

Navy junior fullback Alex Tecza completes a 11-yard rushing touchdown.

Oklahoma 14, Navy 0 (1Q 5:56)

Oklahoma freshman quarterback Michael Hawkins Jr. connects with freshman wide receiver Zion Kearney for a 56-yard touchdown.