Just like that, the pendulum swung back in Texas’ favor.
Such was life in the week-to-week gauntlet known as the SEC.
It was a day of dominance and of questionable decisions by the opposition. All three phases contributed to the 23–6 win: special teams scored a touchdown, the offense converted 59 percent of its third downs, and the defense swarmed relentlessly, keeping John Mateer off balance.
The question in Dallas was whether Mateer should have been medically cleared less than three weeks after hand surgery. It was this same venue a year ago where Nic Anderson was rushed back from a calf injury — only to exit the field and, ultimately, the program a few months later.
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The golden rule of protecting injured players allowed Texas to keep the Golden Hat.
Equally impressive as the defensive performance, which produced three interceptions and limited Mateer to just 202 passing yards, was a ground game that churned out 134 yards. The Sooners had held their previous three opponents under 70.
In the midday sun of Dallas, the Longhorns looked reborn. They were balanced, disciplined, and suddenly very much alive in the playoff picture.
Up next: Kentucky. Texas leads the all-time series 2–0.