‘Tate the Great,’ ‘Never Buys a Drink in Norman Again’ — Oklahoma Celebrates Tate Sandell’s Walk-Off Kick That Toppled No. 1 Texas

By halftime of Saturday’s Red River Rivalry game, Oklahoma kicker Tate Sandell had missed as many field goals this season as he did in all of 2025, when he won the Lou Groza Award.

Sandell got the last word anyway, drilling a 47-yard field goal as time expired to lift unranked Oklahoma past No. 1 Texas 27-24 at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas.

It was the Sooners’ first win over an AP No. 1 team since 2007.

Tate Sandell Hits Game-Winning Kick After First-Half Miss

“TATE THE GREAT,” Oklahoma Football, the program’s official account, posted after the kick that ended the 122nd meeting between the rivals.

The first-half miss came from 53 yards with 3:43 left in the second quarter, ending an 11-play drive while Texas led 14-7.

One fan pointed to that miss. “He redeemed himself after missing his first field goal.”

Sandell answered from the same distance at 10:56 of the third quarter, hitting a 53-yarder that cut Texas’ lead to 17-10.

Sandell rarely missed in 2025, his first year at Oklahoma, when he made 24 of 27 field goals, including 23 straight to break the program record of 18, and became the first Sooner to win the Groza.

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Jalen Posey, a contributor to OU Insider, went further. “Tate has struggled early but this kick cemented him as the best kicker in #Sooners history.”

Sandell nearly never got that far. He walked on at UTSA, where he made 19 of 23 field goals before transferring to Oklahoma.

“I’m not going to put my family in a financial burden, so I was almost done,” Sandell told OU Daily last December, recalling a talk with his father about money running out.

Another fan took the long view. “kickers get immortalized in one swing. tate sandell never buys a drink in norman again”

Brent Venables Credits Defense and Late Drive in Win

Two of Oklahoma’s three touchdowns came from outside its offense, as Danny Okoye blocked a punt that Dakoda Fields recovered in the end zone and Peyton Bowen returned an interception 42 yards. Texas outgained the Sooners 382-238.

Before Lloyd Avant’s 2-yard touchdown run early in the fourth quarter, Texas had held Oklahoma without an offensive touchdown for 32 straight drives dating to 2024.

One fan credited the defense. “Once again the D saves the day. If the offense was worth anything we would dominate the NCAA this year.”

Quarterback John Mateer completed 18 of 26 passes for 155 yards with no touchdowns, but the Sooners did not commit a turnover against a Texas defense that made nine tackles for loss.

Oklahoma coach Brent Venables, talking with ABC’s Katie George on the field after the game, pushed back on the doubts around his team. “We ain’t that bad. When we put it all together and get out of our own way, take care of the football, good things happen.”

Another fan saw a complete team effort. “Offense, Defense, and Special teams all delivered.”

Venables said everybody contributed, from the blocked punt and the pick-six that went for touchdowns to the offense’s final drive. “Offense put together a two-minute drive and got us in great position. Two terrific plays by Sategna and good throws by John.”

That drive began after Texas kicker Gianni Spetic missed a 53-yard field goal with under two minutes left, Oklahoma went three-and-out and defensive back Courtland Guillory intercepted quarterback Arch Manning with 19 seconds remaining.

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Mateer then hit wide receiver Isaiah Sategna III for 13 and 20 yards, and both catches stood on replay review. In Pro Football Network’s grading, Sategna’s PFN Impact grade of 83.5 this season ranks tied for 83rd of 718 graded and qualified wide receivers in the FBS.

Oklahoma used its last timeout to set up the kick, and Texas tried to ice Sandell before he sent the 47-yarder through.

Looking Ahead in Week 7 to Kentucky

Oklahoma (3-2, 1-1 SEC) opens SEC home play against Kentucky in next Saturday’s Week 7 game at Memorial Stadium in Norman, while Texas (4-1, 1-1) hosts No. 16 Florida in Austin.

PFN’s College Football Playoff Meter gives Oklahoma a 3.2% chance to make the playoff and a 54.4% chance to beat Kentucky.

According to the meter, a win would lift that playoff chance to 5.1%, while a loss would drop it to 0.8%.

This article originally appeared on Pro Football Network.