Telling the Red River Rivalry story: OU 34, Texas 30

Every play matters in a college football game but some do a better job of explaining the outcome than others. Here are the five plays that told the story of the unbelievable 34-30 victory for OU in the Red River Rivalry against Texas.

OU 34, Texas 30

Play No. 1: Williams makes early mark

Let’s get weird. You knew this was going to be a fun one right from the initial drive of the game. On just the second play of the game, Gentry Williams picked off Quinn Ewers. Game on in Dallas.

“Nah. I’d say that first interception. It felt great just to set the tone like that,” safety Peyton Bowen said. “Second play of the game, we get a pick, go down there and score like, tone set! That was probably the best one.”

After 49-0 the previous year, coming out with a takeaway on the first drive of the game sent the message that this Oklahoma team is so, so different compared to 2022. Buckle up, time to have some fun.

Play No. 2: Downs shows up, gives some choice words

The first half was wild, no question. But we’re going to fast forward to Texas’ first drive of the second half. The Sooners have worked their way to a 27-17 advantage, and Ethan Downs is just making plays.

Downs had his first sack of the season in the first half. Then came back for the second one. So it’s not so much the sack as it is the mentality Downs played with the entire game.

And Downs let Ewers know how he felt about everything, ha.

“That was just emotions coming out of me,” Downs said. “I try not to cuss out on the field. Emotions get wild. Nothing against him. He’s a great quarterback. Just fired up, finally got a sack. Just juiced up.”

OU finished with a season-high five sacks.

Play No. 3: Bowen introduces himself to Ewers

Same drive, and what a hit by Bowen. OK, it’s third-and-12. Ewers stands absolutely no chance of picking up all 12 yards on the ground. It’s like a five-yard gain. Instead of sliding, Ewers keeps going. Bowen makes him pay.

Absolutely leveled him, jarring the ball loose. Gentry Williams was right there to fall on it for the recovery. It was the last of OU’s three takeaways. The Sooners made Ewers work for every single thing in Dallas.

Play No. 4: Bowman says no, no, no

OK, we’re going to keep this one a little brief. SoonerScoop is going to dig more into the goal line stand for the ages later.

But you cannot talk about this game without what Billy Bowman did on fourth down.

The Sooners are up 27-20 in the early minutes of the fourth quarter. It was first-and-goal at the 1 yard line. Four cracks at it, and no cigar for Texas.

Three runs? Nothing. Ewers finds Xavier Worthy for a quick reception, and Bowman stops him inside the 1 yard line. That. Close.

“I knew he was short,” Bowman said.

Play No. 5: Welcome to your RRR moment, Mr. Anderson

Wonder what play this will be? Hmm.

Texas is up 30-27 in the final minute. It’s time for quarterback Dillon Gabriel to have his legacy made in the Red River Rivalry. And get a little assist from wide receiver Nic Anderson.

With the clock running, Gabriel kept his poise to snap the ball and wait for Anderson to come free. Corner of the end zone, three yards, history made. Fifteen seconds left on the clock.

“Me and Stog (Austin Stogner) actually ran into each other, and I was the one that came open,” Anderson said. “I saw the ball. That’s the last thing I remember. And then just seeing the fans and looking into their eyes, it was a crazy, electric moment. I’m glad they were pointing to me.”

Any words to describe that moment?

“I remember it slowed down a lot,” Anderson said. “After that, it was just blank. I don’t even know.”

From losing 49-0 in this battle a year before to earning one of the wildest and fun installments in the history of the Red River Rivalry. No OU fan will forget this one and what it means to head coach Brent Venables.

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