Oklahoma stunned top-ranked Texas 27-24 in the Red River Rivalry after Tate Sandell struck a 47-yard field goal as time expired at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas.
The result completed a remarkable reversal of fortunes from last year’s meeting, when Texas arrived as the struggling, unranked side and beat Oklahoma 23-6. This time, the Longhorns were unbeaten and ranked No 1, while the Sooners had already lost to Michigan and Georgia.
Oklahoma upset Texas in a dramatic finish
Texas led for long periods of the 122nd meeting between the rivals, but Oklahoma recovered from a slow start to level the contest before Sandell delivered the decisive kick.
The Sooners improved to 3-2 overall and 1-1 in the SEC, while Texas suffered its first defeat of the season after opening 4-0. The Longhorns had begun the campaign ranked No 1 and had retained top spot after a dramatic comeback victory over Ohio State in September.
Oklahoma’s victory was its first against an AP No 1 team since a 38-17 win over Missouri in 2007. The Sooners had entered the game without a win in their previous meetings with top-ranked Texas.
The result also denied Texas a third consecutive victory over its oldest rival. The Longhorns had won the 2025 contest and were seeking to extend their recent advantage in the fixture.
Arch Manning under pressure
Both offences had struggled for consistency in the build-up to the game, and neither side was able to establish sustained control in Dallas.
Oklahoma ranked 120th nationally in total offence at 321 yards per game before the meeting, while its offensive line had already conceded 13 sacks. The Sooners were also facing a Texas pass rush that had brought down John Mateer five times in the previous year’s fixture.
Texas quarterback Arch Manning, meanwhile, had endured a difficult spell since leading the Longhorns’ comeback against Ohio State. He was sacked six times against Tennessee two weeks ago and was penalised twice for throwing beyond the line of scrimmage.
Manning threw three touchdown passes against Oklahoma but also made costly interceptions as the Longhorns failed to close out another close game. The defeat leaves Texas needing to regroup quickly as its SEC campaign continues.
