NORMAN - Oklahoma found a way to leave Mississippi State with a 23-15 road win, but Tate Sandell’s afternoon was a reminder that even the most reliable pieces can wobble.
The reigning Lou Groza Award winner went 3 for 6 on field goals Saturday, a rare off day for a kicker who entered the game 7 of 10 in 2026 and had already delivered one of the season’s defining moments with his emotional game-winner against Texas in the Red River Rivalry. Sandell didn’t miss from impossible angles or through chaotic conditions. These were the kinds of kicks he usually buries.
“It felt like we kicked 30 of ‘em and missed all 30 of ‘em,” Sooners coach Brent Venables said.
The misses mattered, too. Sandell left nine points behind, which turned what could have been a comfortable three-score cushion into a game that stayed within reach longer than it should have. For an Oklahoma offense that still sits near the bottom of the Power Four and ranks 114th nationally in red zone scoring percentage, that kind of night in the kicking game can change the entire feel of a matchup.
Still, Venables isn’t running from his kicker. If anything, he doubled down on Sandell’s value and backed him to snap out of it.
“Tate’s got a great body of work,” Venables said. “One of the most talented kickers in college football.
He’s been a dude. And he’s got a great résumé, both in game and certainly at practice.
He’s a tough guy. He’s not a fragile-minded guy, so keep faith in him.
We’ve got other guys that can kick, too, but Tate’s been our guy.”
Venables and special teams coordinator Doug Deakin also have Liam Evans and Trace Rudd in the mix if Oklahoma needs another option. Even so, the message from the head coach was clear after the win: Sandell is still the guy they trust.
“Tate will be fine,” Venables said. “I know that’s pretty perplexing, but he’ll be fine.
Again, that should’ve been, probably, a four- or five-score win. It wasn’t.
Just thankful for victory.”
There were brighter spots for the Sooners beyond the kicking issues. Running back Tory Blaylock kept building momentum after earlier injury trouble, rushing 12 times for 71 yards and making a strong push to be RB1.
Safety Peyton Bowen also delivered in a big moment, picking off a pass in the fourth quarter as part of a standout defensive performance that should keep him in the Jim Thorpe Award conversation after his pick-six against Texas. And quarterback John Mateer put together his best outing in an Oklahoma uniform, completing 76% of his passes for a season-high 283 yards and two touchdowns without turning the ball over.
That last part stood out the most. Mateer has battled giveaways at times, but Saturday was different.
He looked settled, played decisively and protected the football. If that version shows up consistently, Oklahoma has a real chance to keep stacking wins.
The injury list, though, keeps growing. Left tackle Michael Fasusi returned and gave the Sooners a boost, but Bowen and Reggie Powers III both went down against Mississippi State.
Linebacker Cole Sullivan was injured early and ruled out for the rest of the game. On the offensive line, Ryan Fodje, Heath Ozaeta and Eddy Pierre-Louis all missed the game, leaving the unit still patched together.
The week also included some former Sooners making noise elsewhere through the transfer portal. Mississippi State defensive back Kendel Dolby recovered a fumble against Oklahoma.
Northwestern linebacker Kobie McKinzie had six tackles, plus a sack and a tackle for loss in a blowout win over Rutgers. UCLA linebacker Sammy Omosigho added another strong showing with six tackles, two sacks and two tackles for loss in the Bruins’ victory over Michigan State.
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