NORMAN, Okla.: On Saturday night, No. 18 Oklahoma handed No. 15 Michigan its first loss of the season with a grinding fourth-quarter performance. The Sooners’ final possession, an eight-minute, 26-second drive, drained the clock and eliminated any chance for the Wolverines to mount a comeback.
Mateer’s Playmaking Defines the Night
The decisive drive began with Oklahoma quarterback John Mateer keeping the ball on first-and-10 from his own 19-yard line. After cutting right and breaking a tackle, Mateer ripped off a 19-yard run that set the tone. From there, he continued to frustrate Michigan’s defense with his dual-threat ability.
Mateer’s improvisation became the theme. On second-and-long, he scrambled in the backfield, dodged linebacker Jaishawn Barham, and managed a falling-back throw to pick up 10 yards. He then converted on third-and-short with a quick completion in a hurry-up offense.
“Just his playmaking building,” Michigan linebacker Ernest Hausmann said after the game. “He can do a lot of things to affect the defense. His feet, his arm, knowledge of the game. He’s smart and knows how to operate that offense.”
Oklahoma’s Ground Game Wears Down Michigan
While Mateer commanded attention, the Sooners’ rushing attack closed the door. Running back Jovantae Barnes carried the ball four times deep into Michigan territory as Oklahoma relied on the ground game to chew clock. Play-action looks and read-option plays kept the Wolverines’ defense on edge, forcing them to overcommit.
Michigan’s front seven, which had kept the game within reach earlier, looked exhausted. Despite forcing a third-and-goal situation, the Wolverines couldn’t stop Barnes and Mateer from moving the ball into field goal range. A 21-yard kick capped the possession and extended Oklahoma’s lead to two scores with just 1:44 left.
Offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle praised the execution. “I didn’t have any doubts that we were going to close that game out,” he said. “Did I know we’d go on an eight-and-a-half-minute drive? No. But it was awesome to watch them put the ball down over and over again on that last drive and get it done.”
Missed Chances Doom Wolverines
Michigan had opportunities earlier but failed to capitalize. After Oklahoma missed a field goal in the fourth quarter, the Wolverines’ offense stalled and punted away their final meaningful possession. That misstep allowed the Sooners to seize momentum and dictate the closing minutes.
Oklahoma coach Brent Venables credited his players’ resilience. “Nobody panicked,” he said. “We made the plays when we needed to. And you’re not going against the Sisters of the Poor—you’re going against Michigan.”
The Wolverines’ defense symbolized the night in that final stand—valiant but overwhelmed. With Mateer’s steady hand and Barnes’ punishing runs, the Sooners drained Michigan’s hopes along with the clock.
For Michigan, the road loss underscores the need for more consistency on offense. For Oklahoma, the win highlights its ability to control games late, even against ranked opponents.
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