Turnovers flip momentum, allow Alabama to erase 17-point deficit
Alabama overcame a 17-point deficit late in the second quarter to shift momentum from an Oklahoma team that appeared on a verge of a blow out. The Crimson Tide then never let go, spoiling the Sooners’ first college football playoff game ever played in Norman, 34-24.
It was a mirror of the regular season game between the two blue blood programs played in Tuscaloosa on November 15, when Oklahoma capitalized on three Crimson Tide turnovers to win 23-21
But this time it was Oklahoma’s miscues that allowed Alabama to tie the game up right before the half, going on a 27-point unanswered run by the third quarter’s end, and fending off a fourth quarter surge by the Sooners.
“When we needed to, we couldn’t pull one out like we have several other games this year,” Coach Brent Venables said in his post-game press conference.
Oklahoma scored on three of its first four possessions. QB John Mateer’s athletic ability shined in an 8-yard touchdown run. Tate Sandell scored on a 51-yard field goal. Then Mateer connected with Isaiah Sategna for a 7-yard touchdown pass in the second quarter — giving the Sooners a 17-0 lead.
After the first quarter Alabama had no first downs and negative rushing yards, stymied by what is no doubt the best front defensive seven in college football. But in the second quarter ‘Tide QB Ty Simpson got enough pass protection to engineer a nine play 75-yard drive to get on the score board, to cut the Oklahoma lead to 17-7.
Then, a key sequence of plays in the last seven minutes of the second quarter turned the game.
On a third and three play at the Sooners’ 47 yard line, with just 4:39 left in the first half, QB John Mateer spun away from a blitzing Alabama cornerback, ran outside and saw 20 yards of open field ahead. But, he also saw RB Xavier Robinson running free on a corner route deep downfield.
In a twisted motion becoming a signature for Mateer, he heaved the ball downfield for what looked like would be a back-breaking touchdown (it would have put the Sooners’ up 24-7 going into the half), but the ball fell from Robinson’s figure tips and bounced incomplete.
On the next play, Oklahoma punter Grayson Miller, who has been stellar all year, inexplicable dropped the snap, giving Alabama field position at the Oklahoma 30 yard line. The Sooners’ defense held, but Alabama scored on a 35-yard field goal, cutting the lead to 17-10.
On the very next Sooners’ drive, Mateer threw a pick six to Alabama cornerback Zabien Brown and the Sooners’ early dominance disappeared into a 17-17 tie at halftime. More importantly, it seemed to take the wind out of the Sooners’ sail. Simpson connected on several great throws and catches to Alabama receivers. He finished the game 18 of 29 for 232 yards and two touchdowns.
Still, the Sooners stayed in the game, closing a fourth quarter Alabama lead to 27-24 on a 37-yard reception by Deion Burks, but Alabama answered on the next drive to extend their lead and close out the game.
Going into this rematch all new that Oklahoma would need better play from their offense — as it was unlikely the strong defensive play would carry them far through the playoffs. And, frankly, Mateer’s passing game was good. But not good enough to overcome the key turnovers. And not good enough to overcome Oklahoma’s biggest achilles heal — an inefficient run game.
The Sooners ended with only 55 yards rushing on 33 attempts, a symptom of offensive line woes that have hurt them all season.
Mateer was 26 of 41 (a season high) for 307 yards and one interception. Venables reflected on the season, praising Mateer for struggling through a fractured thumb sustained in mid-season.
“He’s a warrior. He’s got everything that you want in a competitor, in a leader, in a quarterback. He’s got great talent. He fought through — he’ll be his testimony. He was determined – just even the game after he hurts it, where a lot of guys want to cool and be on the sideline, put their hats on, their shades on, wear their jewelry and stuff like that, he’s like, I want to suit up. I want to be with my guys.”
Unlike the earlier game against Alabama, Lou Groza Award winner Tate Sandell missed two field goals (from 36 and 51 yards) that would have made it close in the end. Sandell finished the season 8 for 9 on field goal attempts beyond 50 yards and 16 of 18 on attempts of 40-plus yards. His 51-yarder on Saturday tied the FBS single season record for makes of at least 50 yards.
Deion Burks led Sooners receivers with a season high 107 yards, while Jer’Michael Carter and Javonnie Gibson added 46 and 41 receiving yards, respectively.
Redshirt junior Owen Heinecke had a game high seven tackles and one sack. He lead the team in tackles in five games this season. Four other defenders, Kip Lewis, Taylor Wein, Marvin Jones, Jr. all had sacks of Simpson.
Statistically, the Sooners finished with 362 yards total offense, to Alabama’s 260. OU also led in first downs, 18 to 12. And on third down conversions, 7 to 2.
But, just like in the earlier matchup with Alabama, what most mattered was the score board. And there, Oklahoma came up short.
Oklahoma finished the season 10-3. The Sooners defeated five teams ranked in the AP top 25 during the season.
Given that many were hopeful for an eight-win season for Oklahoma, the season was a pleasant surprise.
“This is a group that got us to our fifth playoff and did, in many ways to many people, the unthinkable,” Venables said.
“Our best days are sitting in front of us. I really believe that.”
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