Mateer leads Sooners over Vols 33-27

Jeff Hauser

John Mateer leads Oklahoma past Tennessee 33-27 image

TL;DR

  • * John Mateer led No.
  • 18 Oklahoma to a 33-27 upset over No.
  • 14 Tennessee with key offensive plays.
  • * Oklahoma capitalized on three Tennessee turnovers, scoring 13 points to secure the victory.

John Mateer threw for 159 yards and ran for 80 more, including a go-ahead touchdown with under two minutes left, as No. 18 Oklahoma upset No. 14 Tennessee 33-27 on Saturday night.

The Sooners (7-2, 3-2 SEC) turned three Tennessee turnovers into 13 points. R Mason Thomas returned a fumble 71 yards for a touchdown, and Tate Sandell kicked four field goals, including two from 55 yards and one from 51.

Despite being outgained 255-99 in the first half, Oklahoma led 16-10 thanks to those miscues. Tennessee quarterback Joey Aguilar threw for 393 yards and two touchdowns, both to Braylon Staley, who finished with five receptions for 75 yards.

Miske Matthews caught a 15-yard touchdown from Aguilar with 1:56 remaining to pull the Vols (6-3, 3-3) within two. But Oklahoma recovered the ensuing onside kick, setting up Mateer’s 1-yard score to seal the win.

Tennessee’s playoff hopes are all but dead, while Oklahoma enters its bye week with renewed momentum before visiting No. 4 Alabama on Nov. 15.

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Jeff Hauser

Jeff Hauser is a freelance writer with The Sporting News. He has over twenty years of experience and is a two-time Emmy Award winner, Heisman Trophy and Biletnikoff Award voter. Among the events he has covered are the Super Bowl, College Football Playoff, World Series, World Cup, and WBC Boxing. Hauser is a regular guest on FOX Sports and ESPN Radio. He previously wrote for Sports Illustrated, SB Nation and Athlon Sports.