TL;DR
- Oklahoma defeated LSU 17-13, achieving a 10-2 record and boosting playoff hopes.
- John Mateer threw a crucial 58-yard touchdown pass to Isaiah Sategna for the win.
- Oklahoma's defense limited LSU to 198 total yards and stifled their offense.
- The victory positions Oklahoma to potentially host a first-round playoff game.
Oklahoma's singular objective heading into Saturday was to defeat LSU. The circumstances were far from typical, given their No. 8 ranking from The College Football Playoff committee.
The Sooners have the potential to achieve a 10-2 record, positioning them at the forefront of postseason discussions. A win would elevate OU's standing and set the program on a path to potentially return to the Playoff, an achievement not seen since 2019.
While the performance in Norman wasn't always polished, Oklahoma managed to generate sufficient offense and rely on a stifling defense to secure a 17-13 victory against the Tigers.
Despite throwing three interceptions early on, John Mateer ultimately performed when it counted. The signal-caller connected with Isaiah Sategna on a 58-yard scoring pass with 4:16 left on the clock. Mateer completed 23 of his 38 attempts for 318 yards. Sategna caught nine passes, totaling 121 yards, and secured the game's winning score.
The defense is Venables’ signature and dictated the flow of the game. OU limited LSU quarterback Michael Van Buren to a 14-of-25 completion rate for 96 yards, with one touchdown and one interception. The Tigers managed a mere 85 rushing yards and 198 total yards, successfully converting just two out of 14 third-down attempts.
The victory propelled OU into the ten-win category, marking their fourth consecutive triumph. This occasion also represented the first instance within the winning run where the Sooners surpassed an opponent in total yardage, concluding with a 393-198 advantage.
Venables, facing scrutiny at the season's outset following a 6-7 record in the prior year, commended his squad's fortitude.
“The narrative wasn’t always on their side, and they had to fight through that,” Venables said. “I just have so much appreciation, respect for our players and staff.”
Oklahoma is now projected to host a first-round playoff game, a scenario few expected months ago.
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