Oklahoma wasted no time setting the tone in its 2026 opener, rolling past UTEP 51-0 Friday night behind a dominant special teams burst, a disruptive defensive front and a few new looks on offense.
The biggest early swing came from Isaiah Sategna, whose first-quarter punt return touchdown helped put the Sooners in control right away. Oklahoma also capitalized on three missed field goals from the Miners and never let the game drift anywhere close to competitive. It was OU’s first shutout since 2023, when Brent Venables’ second team blanked Arkansas State 73-0.
With Michigan waiting next week at The Big House, Oklahoma got more than a comfortable win - it got a useful opening-night read on a few key pieces.
Adepoju Adebawore didn’t fill up the stat sheet, but he was one of the most active forces on the field. The senior defensive end spent the night crowding UTEP quarterback EJ Colson Jr., making life difficult at the mesh point and threatening to blow up rushing plays before they could develop.
With Danny Okoye out for the opener, Adebawore had room to show how much he’s grown opposite Taylor Wein, and the two shared a big moment when Adebawore finally got to Colson Jr. for a sack just before halftime. He finished with two total tackles and heads into the Michigan game with momentum.
There was also a strong first impression from Colorado State transfer Lloyd Avant. Starting Friday night, the junior looked sharp and purposeful, consistently finishing runs by driving the pile forward - exactly the kind of thing new running backs coach Deland McCullough will appreciate.
Avant added a 6-yard catch to go with 15 carries for 79 yards and a touchdown. Xavier Robinson should still get his share of work next week, and freshman Jonathan Hatton Jr. came up a yard short of his first college score, but Avant made a clear case that he’s not just an offseason storyline.
Up front, Oklahoma had to juggle a few pieces. With Jake Maikkula and Ryan Fodje unavailable, freshman Noah Best got the start at center and handled his first collegiate game with composure.
He later traded places with Western Kentucky transfer Caleb Nitta to open the second quarter, and both looked serviceable in Bill Bedenbaugh’s group. The performance wasn’t flawless, but it did feel like a step forward from last year’s opener, especially with two key pieces missing.
Still, the Sooners need Maikkula and Fodje back quickly with bigger tests on the horizon.
Georgia Tech transfer Peyton Joseph also saw action early in the third quarter with the starting group and gave Oklahoma another option behind Michael Fasusi, E’Marion Harris and Fodje. He showed off his athleticism when he got moving downhill to help finish off runs, another small positive for a unit that has to stay healthy if the Sooners want to have success against Michigan’s defense next week.
In Other News...
Danny Saili Is Already Forcing His Way Into Oklahomas Plans
Danny Sailis move to Oklahoma has already started to pay off for the Sooners. The former Arkansas linebacker, now cleared by the NCAA, was on the field for Oklahomas season opener and has wasted little time getting comfortable in Brent Venables defense, a system that asks a lot from its linebackers and rewards players who can pick things up quickly.
What has stood out most inside the building is how seamlessly Saili has fit in with the group. Coaches and teammates have pointed to his experience and the way he adds competition and depth, the kind of presence that can matter over the long grind of a season. For Oklahoma, the early signs suggest this was more than just a routine transfer addition. [Read more 🡒]
Oklahoma Is Counting On Reggie Powers In A Crucial Defensive Test
Oklahoma enters the new season facing an important adjustment on defense after losing Kendal Daniels, whose strong year ended with a draft pick by the Atlanta Falcons. The Sooners are now looking for returning talent to absorb the production gap, and Reggie Powers is a central part of that plan after spending last season in a supporting role.
Powers is expected to move into the starting cheetah spot, a bigger job on a unit that wants to stay strong without Daniels presence. He has already shown excitement about the expanded opportunity, and Oklahomas confidence in the defense will depend in part on how quickly he can translate that promise into steady play. [Read more 🡒]
Oklahomas Season Opener Said Plenty About This Team Fast
UTEPs season opener in Norman turned into a long afternoon almost immediately, with the Miners falling behind early and never finding a way to make Oklahoma uncomfortable in a 51-0 loss to the No. 10 Sooners. Scotty Walden spent his postgame remarks sorting through the obvious setbacks, with special teams standing out as a particular problem, even as he tried to keep the bigger picture in view for a roster still trying to take shape.
There was at least some encouragement for UTEP on the offensive side, and Walden said he sees room for the group to keep developing after a game like this. The schedule does not offer much time to ease into that process, either, with Michigan, Texas Southern and Oregon State all still ahead in non-conference play, so the Miners will need whatever lessons they can carry out of Week 1. [Read more 🡒]