The 70-year tug-ofwar (36-33-1) between Texas and Oklahoma swung further in the Longhorns’ favor Saturday as No. 19 Texas powered past No. 6 Oklahoma, 23-6, at the Cotton Bowl, marking head coach Brent Venables’ third loss to the Horns in four tries.
OU quarterback John Mateer made a gutsy return just 17 days after hand surgery, but his comeback story ended in heartbreak. The Sooners (5-1, 2-1 SEC) managed just two field goals and no touchdowns as the Longhorns (4-2, 1-1) handed them their first defeat of the season in the annual Red River Rivalry.
Mateer completed 20 of 38 passes for 202 yards but threw three costly interceptions, while the much-criticized Arch Manning silenced doubters by doing just enough to win, passing for 166 yards and a touchdown and adding 34 more on the ground.
A 75-yard punt-return touchdown by Ryan Niblett in the fourth quarter punctuated Texas’ statement win after Manning’s strike to De-Andre Moore Jr. in the third put the Longhorns ahead for good. OU’s defense bent but didn’t break early, holding Texas to three field goals before the special-teams dagger sealed the outcome.
The Sooners’ offense never found rhythm — a combination of poor time management, turnovers, and a stalled run game. Texas dominated the trenches, out-rushing Oklahoma 136-48 and exposing an offensive line still struggling to prove it’s better than last year’s unit.
Kendall Daniels led OU’s defense with six tackles (two for loss), Taylor Wein added three tackles for loss, and R. Mason Thomas recorded the Sooners’ lone sack.
It was a day of frustration for the crimson and cream — and one that reminded everyone that the Red River still runs burnt orange.
