Defense Dominates in Win Over Auburn

Saturday, September 20

Norman

2:45 p.m.

University of Oklahoma

4-0 , 1-0

Auburn

3-1 , 0-1

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

Auburn

Oklahoma

September 20, 2025 | Football

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Sooners Move to 4-0 With 24-17 Victory

NORMAN (AP) — John Mateer passed for 271 yards and the OU defense tied a program record with nine sacks as No. 11 Oklahoma (4-0, 1-0 SEC) beat No. 22 Auburn (3-1, 0-1 SEC), 24-17, Saturday, Sept. 20.

Mateer scored the go-ahead touchdown on a 9-yard run with 4:54 remaining as the Sooners (4-0, 1-0 SEC) head into their bye week unbeaten.

"Proud of our players: the determination, the resolve, the grit, the ability to overcome, keep fighting back, keep striking," Oklahoma coach Brent Venables said.

Oklahoma pass rusher R Mason Thomas played just the second half made his presence known immediately coming out of the break, recording a sack on his second play back in the third quarter. He later sacked Jackson Arnold for a safety with 1:06 remaining to complete the scoring.

With Venables calling the defense, Oklahoma held the Tigers to 287 yards. Defensive linemen accounted for 7.5 of Oklahoma's sacks.

"We talked about going into the game, the only non-negotiable that has to happen for us to win this game is when the storyline has to say y'all (defensive linemen) played your butt off," Venables said.

Isaiah Sategna had career highs of nine catches and 127 yards, including a 24-yard touchdown grab, and Tate Sandell made three field goals for the Sooners. Also on special teams, OU punter Grayson Miller averaged 54.4 yards on five punts, with a long of 66 yards.

Jayden Jackson had 2 1/2 sacks and Thomas had two to lead eight Sooners who registered at least half a sack. The Sooners also had three quarterback hurries and finished with 14 tackles for loss.

The takeaway

Oklahoma: The Sooner defense put up an overwhelming nine sacks and John Mateer ran for the game-winning touchdown to erase OU's lone deficit of the year in OU's 24-17 win against No. 22 Auburn. The Sooners secured their second win against a ranked team in as many games.