Photo essay: Red River Rivalry game

From the last second of the Kent State game, I could feel the weight of the game against Texas. All week, I thought I knew what was to come. 

When the OU Daily team got to the State Fair of Texas, the first thing I noticed was the color of the day. Not only were the fans saturated in excitement, but the venue felt like it was preparing for the game as well. 

Oklahoma-Texas Longhorns football

Ride before the game against Texas on Oct. 11.

Oklahoma-Texas Longhorns football

Police officers on horses before the game against Texas on Oct. 11.

Oklahoma-Texas Longhorns football

Bevo before the game against Texas on Oct. 11.

As one could expect, this game was heated by the sun and the emotions of the players. During the warm up period, players had an aggressive exchange as they were both walking towards their locker room. 

My favorite part of this exchange was immediately after players were hauled off to their locker room, OU President Joseph Harroz Jr. looked at me and said, "you have to admit that was pretty fun."

OU was the first team to enter the stadium. From where I was standing, they seemed ready. Almost as if they were walking into any other stadium. 

The Sooners were loud and very animated in their entrance. 

Next to come into the Cotton Bowl was Steve Sarkisian and the Longhorns. When Texas came out, you could hear a pen drop. They didn't just look ready, they looked like they were playing in Darrell K Royal Texas Memorial Stadium. 

Now, for the actual game. Remember how I said I thought I knew what the game had in store? 

This image is a perfect example of what Saturday looked like. Even when Sooners had the ball, there was a Longhorn in front or behind them prepared to stop the play. 

Redshirt junior quarterback John Mateer took up most of my storage, but not for the usual reasons. As a photographer, it was difficult to narrow down the images that best captured the team’s lack of communication.

Mateer threw three interceptions Saturday. These next two pictures show the moment redshirt senior wide receiver Deion Burks tackled Texas’ Malik Muhammad. Even though the tackle stopped Muhammad, this interception was the second one Mateer had thrown, and Longhorns made sure Sooners didn't forget.

This image shows how OU head coach Brent Venables looked during the later half of the game. He seemed to be stuck in the moment. However, Ben Arbuckle visually was moving through the motions with the Sooners. 

My favorite element of any game — the small moments that represent the themes of the game.