yahoo
In a game that was shifted from Saturday to Sunday because Ole Miss could not travel on Friday or early Saturday, the Oklahoma Sooners emerged with a 24-17 win over the Rebels. The victory was Oklahoma's second in a row against a ranked foe and lifted the Sooners' record to 6-4 on the year.
Despite the unusual circumstances and inclement weather, Oklahoma delivered a complete, complementary performance to control a high-powered Ole Miss team. The Rebels had a chance to tie the game with a Hail Mary from Trinidad Chambliss, but the pass fell incomplete as time expired, ending Ole Miss's College Football Playoff hopes.
Key Analysis
The Sooners have established a clear identity over the past two weeks: a run-first offense that complements a stout defense. Against the Rebels, Oklahoma ran the ball 49 times for 188 yards and two touchdowns, averaging 3.8 yards per carry. Though the average was modest, the commitment to the ground game allowed the Sooners to control the clock and keep their defense fresh. Offensive coordinator Jason Witten, who did not have the full playbook available due to the wet conditions, called a game that helped Oklahoma dominate time of possession by 13 minutes. The Sooners had four drives of 10 or more plays, including the opening touchdown and a scoring drive to start the second half.
Quarterback John Mateer did not need to air it out often, but he was effective when called upon and protected the football. Mateer completed 53% of his passes and turned in another turnover-free performance. He also led the rushing attack with 16 carries for 70 yards and a touchdown, picking up several crucial first downs. In a season where some have called for him to be benched, Mateer has remained a leader and continued to grind, putting the Sooners in position to finish strong.
Defensively, Oklahoma was not at its best but made the plays necessary to win. The Sooners held an Ole Miss offense that was averaging 33.8 points per game to just 17 points and 306 total yards. The Rebels converted only 4 of 12 third downs and failed on their lone fourth-down attempt. Chambliss made plays with his arm and legs but was limited to 52% completion and 127 passing yards. Through three quarters, Oklahoma had surrendered just seven points before the Rebels mounted a late comeback attempt.
With the win, Oklahoma is now bowl eligible for the 28th consecutive season. While a bowl game was not the preseason goal, it became the next objective after those plans were dashed, and the Sooners accomplished it. Many doubted Oklahoma would even reach six wins given how the season had gone, but the team has shown resilience. Now, with Texas A&M coming to town and a season finale against Missouri, the Sooners have a shot at eight wins.
Originally reported by yahoo.