Sandell’s last-play field goal lifts Oklahoma past No. 1 Texas, 27-24

Tate Sandell made a 47-yard field goal on the final play Saturday, giving Oklahoma a 27-24 win over No. 1 Texas at the Cotton Bowl. The Sooners erased a 17-7 halftime deficit with help from their defense and special teams, then used a late Arch Manning interception to set up the winning kick.

Manning finished with 260 passing yards and three touchdowns, but his two fourth-quarter interceptions helped turn a game Texas had controlled into an Oklahoma celebration. Courtland Guillory intercepted the final Texas pass with 19 seconds remaining. John Mateer then found Isaiah Sategna III for gains of 13 and 20 yards to move the Sooners into Sandell’s range.

Texas had an earlier opportunity to win. Gianni Spetic missed a 53-yard field goal wide right with 1:55 left, and Oklahoma’s ensuing possession ended in another punt. That gave Manning one more chance before Guillory’s interception. ESPN’s broadcast captured the missed kick that kept the Sooners alive.

The late reversal followed a fourth quarter that repeatedly changed direction. Lloyd Avant’s two-yard touchdown run tied the game at 17 early in the period. Peyton Bowen then intercepted Manning and returned the ball 42 yards for a touchdown with 10:07 remaining, giving Oklahoma its first lead.

Texas answered with a 75-yard touchdown drive. Manning found Jermaine Bishop Jr. for a 15-yard score with 6:32 left, tying the game at 24 and briefly putting the Longhorns back on even terms. The defense subsequently gave Texas the ball again, but the missed kick and final interception prevented the Longhorns from turning those opportunities into points.

Oklahoma had received its first touchdown without an offensive scoring drive. David Okoye blocked a Texas punt early in the second quarter, and Dakoda Fields recovered it in the end zone. That play tied the game at seven after Manning’s opening touchdown pass to Cam Coleman.

Manning’s 34-yard touchdown pass to Ryan Wingo and Spetic’s short field goal built the Texas halftime lead. Sandell’s 53-yard field goal in the third quarter reduced the deficit before the late scoring sequence.

The final statistics underline how much the Sooners needed those nonoffensive scores. Texas outgained Oklahoma 382-238. Mateer completed 18 of 26 passes for 155 yards without a touchdown or interception; Avant led Oklahoma with 72 rushing yards. Manning went 19 of 31, and Coleman caught five passes for 110 yards and a touchdown.

Oklahoma finished without a turnover while taking the ball away twice. Texas converted only three of 14 third downs, and Oklahoma managed two of 13, leaving field position and individual mistakes unusually influential. The Sooners improved to 3-2 and 1-1 in the SEC. Texas fell to 4-1 and 1-1, its unbeaten start ending in Dallas. Oklahoma hosts Kentucky next Saturday, while Texas returns home to face Florida.