University of Oklahoma Athletics

The OU football team celebrates QB John Mateer's touchdown in its win over No. 4 Alabama on Nov. 15, 2025 in Tuscaloosa, Ala.
Photo by: Morgan Givens/University of Oklahoma

Oklahoma Named Pop Tarts Crazy Good Team of the Week

November 17, 2025 | Football

NORMAN — Oklahoma has been named the Pop Tarts Crazy Good Team of the Week after its 23-21 road win over No. 4 Alabama on Saturday in Tuscaloosa, Ala., as selected by the All-America Committee of the Football Writers Association of America, the FWAA announced Monday.
 
The Sooners scored 17 points off three turnovers to snap Alabama's 17-game home winning streak, which was the longest active FBS streak, and post the program's highest-ranked road victory since winning at No. 2 Ohio State in 2017. OU, which beat the Crimson Tide 24-3 in Norman last season, became the first program to beat the Tide in consecutive regular seasons since 2014 and '15 (Ole Miss).
 
Oklahoma registered a defensive touchdown for the second straight contest when sophomore cornerback Eli Bowen intercepted a pass and returned it 87 yards for a 10-0 first-quarter lead. It was his second career interception (the other came in last year's home win over Alabama) and represented the eighth-longest interception return in school history. Bowen added a season-high five tackles on the day en route to SEC Defensive Player of the Week honors.
 
Oklahoma's other takeaways were fumble recoveries on a second-quarter Alabama punt return (forced by sophomore defensive back Jaydan Hardy and recovered by junior linebacker Sammy Omosigho) and on a third-quarter strip sack by redshirt sophomore defensive end Taylor Wein (recovered by redshirt senior linebacker Kendal Daniels). The Crimson Tide entered the game with only six giveaways all season.
 
Redshirt junior kicker Tate Sandell made field goals of 25, 52 and 24 yards. The 52-yarder extended OU's lead to 20-14 with 10:38 left in the third quarter. His 24-yarder put OU back in front 23-21 with 13:41 remaining after the Crimson Tide took its only lead of the contest midway through the third period. Sandell was named SEC Special Teams Player of the Week for the second straight game and third time this season.
 
Wein's strip-sack led to the 24-yard field goal by Sandell for the game's final points. Wein also blocked a 36-yard field goal attempt at the end of the first half (OU's first blocked field goal since 2020) and was named SEC Defensive Lineman of the Week.
 
Redshirt junior quarterback John Mateer completed 15 of 23 passes for 138 yards and rushed 10 times for 23 yards, including a 20-yard touchdown that gave OU a 17-7 lead with 8:49 left in the second quarter. His touchdown rush followed the punt return fumble forced by Hardy.
 
OU's 212 yards of offense were their fewest in victory since totaling 206 in a 14-3 win over Texas in 2001. The crowd of 100,077 was the fourth largest to witness an OU game and the second straight over 100,000. The Sooners improved to 4-0 all-time in front of six-figure crowds. OU improved to 5-2-1 all-time against Alabama (4-0 in the regular season) and to 2-0 in Tuscaloosa.
 
This is the ninth time Oklahoma has been named the FWAA's National Team of the Week since the award was established in 2002. OU also received the award following is 24-3 win over Alabama last season.
 
No. 8/8 Oklahoma (8-2, 4-2 SEC) plays host to No. 23/21 Missouri (7-3, 3-3 SEC) Saturday at Gaylord Family – Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Kickoff is set for 11 a.m. on ABC.  
FB Highlights: OU 23, Alabama 21
Saturday, November 15
Brent Venables Postgame at Alabama
Saturday, November 15
Scene Setter at Alabama
Saturday, November 15
Sooner Gameday - 11/14/25
Friday, November 14