John Mateer wasted no time making his mark in Oklahoma’s opener, and Isaiah Sategna did even more damage in every phase of the game as the Sooners steamrolled UTEP 51-0 Friday night in Norman.
Mateer threw three touchdown passes and finished 11 of 17 for 225 yards, while Sategna scored twice and piled up 215 all-purpose yards. The Sooners also got 79 rushing yards on 15 carries from Lloyd Avant in a lopsided win that served as a tune-up for Michigan on Sept. 12.
Oklahoma (1-0) controlled the game from the start and finished with a 401-198 edge in total yards. Avant helped set the tone immediately, ripping off three carries for 32 yards on the Sooners’ first three offensive snaps. That opening drive covered 76 yards in 12 plays, and Avant capped it with a 1-yard touchdown run with 9:16 left in the first quarter.
The big-play explosion came soon after. Sategna took a punt near the left sideline, cut all the way across the field and then turned upfield after Omarion Robinson flattened a UTEP defender at the 50-yard line. That opened the door for Sategna to race the rest of the way for an 88-yard touchdown return.
Oklahoma’s third score was the kind that gets remembered. Tight end Rocky Beers, listed at 6-foot-5 and 240 pounds, hurdled a defender near the goal line and finished a 40-yard touchdown catch to make it 21-0 in the first quarter. It was a notable moment for a position group now coached by ex-Dallas Cowboys tight end Jason Witten in his first game in that role for Oklahoma.
The Sooners carried a 27-0 lead into halftime. Mateer had already completed 9 of 13 passes for 143 yards and a touchdown by then, while Avant had 51 rushing yards and his score on nine carries. Even with the cushion, Oklahoma’s offense cooled in the second quarter and left some room to see what the second half would bring.
The defense answered first. Peyton Bowen forced a fumble and Taylor Wein recovered at the UTEP 34, setting up Mateer’s 34-yard touchdown pass to Sategna that stretched the lead to 34-0.
Not long after, Mateer connected with Virginia transfer Trell Harris for a 48-yard touchdown to make it 41-0 with 8:22 left in the third quarter.
Oklahoma’s shutout stayed intact into the final minutes, and UTEP’s best chance to break it came up short when Carlos Arreola missed a 41-yard field goal with 4:51 remaining. Sategna’s night also included 76 receiving yards and 24 kickoff return yards, rounding out a dominant all-around performance.
In Other News...
Oklahoma-Michigan Comes With An Officiating Twist Fans Will Notice
The upcoming Oklahoma-Michigan matchup at Michigans stadium already has the feel of a major September test, and the way the game is being administered adds another layer for fans to keep an eye on. The contract calls for the officiating crew to be appointed by the home teams conference, a setup that traces back to changes made after a 2006 Oklahoma game, when concerns around officiating helped shape how future big nonconference meetings would be handled.
Michigans own recent weekend only sharpened the spotlight on the rules side of things, after its game against Western Michigan ended in controversy when a last-second Hail Mary stood following replay review. The Big Ten later issued statements and replay footage, and with Oklahoma heading into a game that will be shown on Fox, the Sooners and Wolverines are meeting in a spotlight matchup where every flag, review and explanation figures to draw plenty of attention. [Read more 🡒]
Oklahoma May Have Found Something Real In Its Backfield
Oklahoma got a useful early look at its backfield in the season-opening rout of UTEP, and Lloyd Avant made the strongest case for a bigger role. The Colorado State transfer led the Sooners with 79 rushing yards and a touchdown, and he did a lot of the heavy lifting after first contact, piling up 56 of those yards the hard way. For a team trying to settle into a new offensive rhythm, that kind of production offered a promising sign.
Offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle singled out Avants consistency and toughness, the sort of traits that tend to travel well once the schedule stiffens. The Sooners still know there is plenty to clean up before Michigan arrives, but Avants debut gave them something concrete to build on in the backfield. Whether that opening night burst turns into a lasting role will be one of the quieter but more important questions to follow. [Read more 🡒]
Michigan Just Gave Oklahoma Fans A Reason To Feel Better
Oklahomas opener could hardly have gone much better, with the Sooners rolling past UTEP 51-0 while Brent Venables still made clear there was plenty to clean up before the next step up in competition. The timing matters because Michigan was supposed to arrive as the early measuring stick, and the Wolverines did not exactly look like a team bringing crisp answers on offense.
Michigan had to sweat its way past Western Michigan, and for Oklahoma fans that kind of ugly finish offers at least a little comfort heading into a marquee matchup. Even in a win, the Wolverines left behind enough questions about how consistently they can move the ball that the Sooners have reason to believe their own strong start may travel well into next week. [Read more 🡒]