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Steve Sarkisian and the Texas Longhorns were left searching for answers Saturday after Oklahoma stunned the No. 1 team in the country with a dramatic 27-24 victory in the Red River Rivalry. The loss ended Texas’ unbeaten start and handed the Sooners the Golden Hat trophy for the first time in three meetings.
Oklahoma sealed the upset when Tate Sandell drilled a 47-yard field goal as time expired at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas. The result marked the first time in the 122-year history of the rivalry that Oklahoma defeated a Texas team ranked No. 1 by the Associated Press.
Steve Sarkisian Faces a Crushing Red River Setback
Texas controlled much of the afternoon, but the Longhorns could not turn their offensive production into a comfortable lead. Arch Manning connected with Cam Coleman for a 41-yard touchdown and Ryan Wingo for a 34-yard score, giving Texas valuable momentum through the first half.
Despite those explosive plays, Texas led only 17-7 at halftime. Oklahoma’s defense and special teams kept the Sooners within reach after Danny Okoye blocked a punt at the Texas 8-yard line. Dakoda Fields recovered the ball in the end zone, producing Oklahoma’s first touchdown in the rivalry since 2023.
The Sooners then began to seize control after halftime. Lloyd Avant scored on a 2-yard run early in the fourth quarter to tie the game at 17-17. Oklahoma’s defense soon delivered another defining moment when Peyton Bowen intercepted Manning and returned the pass 42 yards for a touchdown.
That play gave Oklahoma a 24-17 lead with 10:07 remaining and shifted the pressure squarely onto Texas. The Longhorns eventually tied the game, but their final possession ended with another interception. Courtland Guillory made a critical play for Oklahoma with only 19 seconds remaining, setting up the Sooners’ winning drive.
Arch Manning’s Turnovers Change the Game
Manning finished the afternoon with two fourth-quarter interceptions, and Oklahoma converted those mistakes into 10 points. The second interception came at the Oklahoma 39-yard line and gave the Sooners enough time to attempt a winning kick.
After the game, Manning accepted responsibility for the costly errors. He said Texas needed to do a better job of protecting the football and acknowledged that the Longhorns “beat ourselves a lot.”
Steve Sarkisian defended his quarterback, emphasizing that the defeat was not solely Manning’s fault. The Texas coach said Manning competed hard and made several important plays, including the deep touchdown passes that kept the Longhorns ahead for much of the game.
Sarkisian also credited Guillory for making an excellent defensive play on the final interception. Rather than treating the moment as an individual failure, the coach pointed to Oklahoma’s ability to create decisive plays when the game was on the line.
Oklahoma Delivers a Historic Comeback
John Mateer played a major role in the Sooners’ late surge. With the score tied and overtime appearing possible, Oklahoma chose to attack instead of settling for an extra period. Mateer completed a 13-yard pass with 15 seconds left and followed it with a 20-yard completion to Isaiah Sategna III nine seconds later.
Those throws moved the Sooners into field-goal range and gave Sandell the opportunity to become the latest hero of college football’s most recognizable rivalry. His kick split the uprights as the clock reached zero, sending Oklahoma players and fans into celebration.
Mateer’s performance carried additional meaning after last season’s rivalry defeat. He had struggled in that game while playing through a thumb injury, throwing three interceptions and absorbing five sacks. This time, he helped Oklahoma complete a stunning comeback despite the offense producing only 238 total yards.
- Oklahoma defeated No. 1 Texas, 27-24.
- Tate Sandell made the winning 47-yard field goal.
- Arch Manning threw two fourth-quarter interceptions.
- Peyton Bowen returned one interception 42 yards for a touchdown.
- The Sooners reclaimed the Golden Hat after two straight losses in the series.
What the Loss Means for Texas
Steve Sarkisian insisted that Texas is not out of the national championship picture. The Longhorns dropped to 4-1 overall and 1-1 in the SEC, while Oklahoma improved to 3-2 overall and 1-1 in conference play.
However, the loss creates immediate questions for Texas. The Longhorns entered the game as the nation’s top-ranked team, yet became only the third AP No. 1 team since 2010 to lose to an unranked opponent. Sarkisian described the result as disappointing, angry and frustrating, but said the team would respond.
“We’re not dead,” Sarkisian said. “We’re going to be OK. We’ll get back up off the mat.”
The challenge now is turning that confidence into consistency. Texas must reduce costly turnovers, improve its execution in high-pressure moments and avoid allowing explosive plays to overshadow an otherwise promising offensive performance. For Oklahoma, the victory provides a powerful boost and a memorable answer to recent criticism.
FAQs About Steve Sarkisian and Texas
What happened to Steve Sarkisian and Texas?
Steve Sarkisian’s Texas team lost 27-24 to Oklahoma in the Red River Rivalry after the Longhorns surrendered a late field goal and committed two fourth-quarter interceptions.
Who kicked Oklahoma’s winning field goal?
Tate Sandell made a 47-yard field goal as time expired to give Oklahoma the victory.
How did Arch Manning perform?
Arch Manning threw touchdown passes to Cam Coleman and Ryan Wingo, but he also threw two fourth-quarter interceptions that helped Oklahoma take control.
What is Texas’ record after the loss?
Texas fell to 4-1 overall and 1-1 in SEC play after the defeat.
Did Steve Sarkisian blame Manning?
No. Steve Sarkisian defended Manning and said the quarterback competed hard while also crediting Oklahoma’s defense for making crucial plays.
