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adam ritenberg
TUSCALOOSA, Ala.– oklahoma Players and coaches gathered at various locations around Saban Field at Bryant–Denny Stadium, posing for photos and enjoying every second of the team’s best win as an SEC member and best under the leadership of fourth-year coach Brent Venables.
When the 11th-ranked Sooners finally went back to their locker room, their victory playlist began with “Dixieland Delight,” Alabama’s favorite late-game anthem, and then, of course, “Sweet Home Alabama.” Most College Football Playoff projections written off after home loss ole miss On October 25, Oklahoma responded with consecutive road wins. tennessee And on Saturday number 4 alabamaholding back the tide 23-21,
The Sooners recorded their first road win against a top-five opponent after their win Ohio State In 2017, another famous postgame celebration would be held at Ohio Stadium with the flag-planting of quarterback Baker Mayfield. OU ended Alabama’s 17-game home winning streak and became the first team to defeat the Tide in consecutive seasons since Ole Miss in 2014 and 2015. The Sooners also recorded their fourth win against an AP-ranked opponent this season, tying Alabama for the most in FBS.
Venables said, “I’m not a boastful or boastful kind of guy, but, man, I’m going to brag on my guys and they deserve it.” “They’ve put a lot into this opportunity, and we’ve created the vision for it, so I had to follow through. I say, ‘Hey man, this is what victory looks like. This is how we’re going to do it. And I want to see you guys dancing, moving, just having some fun in the moment.'”
Oklahoma won despite generating only 212 yards of offense, its fewest since 2022 and OU’s smallest win since 2001 against No. 5 Texas. The Sooners held their defense, forcing Alabama into three turnovers, half the Tide’s season total entering Saturday, and scored ellie bowen87-yard interception return in the first quarter.
The defense needed one last stand as Alabama took possession with 7:14 to play, needing only a field goal to win. Even as “Dixieland Delight” whipped the crowd into a frenzy and Alabama converted a crucial fourth down, the Oklahoma defense was playing without a top pass rusher. R Mason Thomas And others put pressure on the Tide, who were held scoreless for the final 22:27.
“It was all red, and the lights were on, but we lost the energy,” the Oklahoma defensive lineman said. taylor wayneJoe, who had a strip-sack fumble and two quarterback hurries, said about hearing “Dixieland Delight” in the closing minutes. “Little do they know, they think they’re feeling their team, they’re feeling us, they’re getting us ready to go.”
Wayne was one of several Oklahoma players who wore T-shirts after the game that read “Hard to Kill” on the front and “Enough is Enough” on the back. The Sooners emphasized those themes after the loss to Ole Miss, believing that a third loss would probably end their CFP hopes.
“How much is enough?” kicker said tate sandellJoe went 3-for-3 on field goal attempts, including a 52-yarder. “It’s that mentality of just surviving, blue collar, rolling up your sleeves and just finding a way, and it’s hard to kill in the process.”
Venables thought the Sooners could “distinguish themselves” on special teams, and they did so not only with Sandell’s field goals, but also with forced fumbles. Ryan Williams Fumble and partial blocking of Alabama punt return. Connor Talty Field goal attempt to keep the lead 17–14 at the end of the first half. The Sooners had 10 points off turnovers and overcame the big yards difference by limiting big mistakes and doing the little things to win.
“Who isn’t it beautiful? What does it mean?” Venables asked, smiling. “I liked it.”
Oklahoma had a more impressive defensive effort last year against Alabama, keeping the Tide out of the end zone. But the 2024 Sooners lost their final two games to go 6-7 and raise questions about the trajectory under Venables, a first-time head coach.
But this season’s OU team has responded to both its losses and key injuries, including to quarterback john materTo be in a position to return to CFP.
“They’re not nervous,” Venables said. “When the fire is raging and things are looking a little desolate, they have responded many times this year, and they certainly have the last few weeks when it has mattered most. They have respected our brand again this week.”
Oklahoma will have to refocus on home games against Missouri and LSU, but the importance of Saturday’s win will echo that.
“Post-game photos, you love the moments, the memories you make,” defensive tackle david stone Said. “He’ll be with us for the rest of his life.”
