After defeating Tennessee 33-27 on the road, OU enters a critical stretch of its season with confidence.
The Sooners bounced back after a 34-26 loss to Mississippi and battled through adversity to win in a hostile environment at Tennessee. They fought multiple deficits while overcoming the loss of senior defensive lineman R Mason Thomas, who sustained a hamstring injury during a 71-yard touchdown.
“Winning on the road at a place like this … does a lot for your belief and your confidence,” head coach Brent Venables said.
The Sooners proved they can win under pressure, and Venables sees this as a narrative that will continue.
“Tonight was just a start for … figuring it out, finding a way,” Venables said.
OU forced three turnovers against Tennessee, a breakthrough after only four on the season going into the game.The offense also found consistency on the ground with over 100 rushing yards for only the third time in Southeastern Conference play. Sophomore running back Xavier Robinson rushed for a career-high 115 yards and a touchdown, and redshirt junior quarterback John Mateer recorded a season-high 80 rushing yards and a touchdown.
The next challenges will define whether this team can sustain that momentum. Following a bye week, the Sooners’ gauntlet resumes on Nov. 15 with their highest-ranked opponent so far, No. 4 Alabama.
The Sooners took down Alabama in Norman last season, but the Crimson Tide will be seeking retribution on its home turf. OU faces a team that ranks among the SEC’s top half in offensive and defensive production, boasting the league’s No. 2 offense in passing yards per game and the No. 5 defense in yards allowed per game.
Venables said that the Sooners will need to maintain their confidence.
“You got to believe in yourself, …” Venables said. “You got to have a kick-the-door-in mindset.”
Following the road test, OU returns home to face Missouri and Louisiana State University in its final stretch.
Missouri currently has the No. 1 defense with 246 yards allowed per game and the No. 4 offense in the SEC with 473 yards per game. Louisiana State University has the No. 6 defense with 19 points allowed per game but holds the second-worst run game in the league with 106 rushing yards per game.
As the Sooners close the regular season, they are focused on progress rather than perfection.
“It’s never going to be perfect. … That’s how you grow and improve,” Venables said.
Heading into the matchup against Tennessee, the Sooners had a 19% chance to make the College Football Playoffs, and they are looking to use the win and their remaining games to push them forward.
“(This is) a team that’s hard to kill,” Venables said.
This story was edited by Joshua McDaniel.
