Oklahoma secured their first-ever SEC victory in a thrilling win over Auburn, marking a significant milestone for the Sooners as they continue to adjust to life in the Southeastern Conference.
Here are the key team notes from Oklahoma’s Sports Information Department:
- First SEC Victory: This win marked Oklahoma’s first league triumph as a new member of the Southeastern Conference (SEC). It was also the team’s first intraleague road contest within the SEC.
- History Against Auburn: With this victory, Oklahoma improved their all-time record against Auburn to 3-0. The Sooners previously defeated Auburn in the 1972 Sugar Bowl (40-22) and the 2017 Sugar Bowl (35-19).
- Success in Alabama: Oklahoma’s victory in Auburn also marked their second all-time win in the state of Alabama. Their only previous game in the state was a 20-13 victory over Alabama in Tuscaloosa back in 2003.
- Road Game Dominance: Since 2010, Oklahoma has won 35 of its last 42 true road games against unranked opponents, boasting an impressive .833 winning percentage. Over the last decade, they’ve won 34 of their last 43 road games overall, showcasing their consistent performance away from home.
- Debuts and First Starts: Linebacker Sammy Omosigho, a sophomore, and quarterback Michael Hawkins Jr., a true freshman, made their first career starts in the game. Hawkins Jr. became only the seventh true freshman quarterback in Oklahoma history to start a game and the second to do so on the road, joining Troy Aikman, who made his debut in 1984.
- Defensive Consistency: Through five games this season, Oklahoma’s defense has only allowed eight touchdowns on 65 opponent possessions, demonstrating a stout defensive effort.
- Turnover Margin: The Sooners recorded one interception in the game and had no turnovers, bringing their season total to 13 takeaways and maintaining a +8 turnover margin. Oklahoma came into the game tied for the national lead in takeaways and ranked second in turnover margin.
- Interception Streak: Oklahoma’s defense has registered an interception in 10 of their last 11 games and in 26 of 31 contests since Brent Venables took over as head coach in 2022. During that span, OU leads the nation with 42 interceptions.
- Pass Breakups and Defensive Pressure: The Sooners’ defense tallied five pass breakups against Auburn, with standout performances from DL Ethan Downs, DL Caiden Woullard, and LB Kobie McKinzie, who each recorded their first pass breakup of the season. CB Dez Malone and CB Kani Walker also contributed with pass deflections.
- Sacks and Tackles for Loss: Oklahoma’s defense registered four sacks and eight tackles for loss in the game, bringing their season totals to 18 sacks and 40 tackles for loss through five games.
- Third-Down Efficiency: The Sooners held Auburn to just 4 of 14 on third downs (29%). Oklahoma has now held each of its last 19 opponents to a third-down conversion rate of 44% or lower, dating back to the 2022 Cheez-It Bowl against Florida State. This season, they have limited every opponent to a third-down conversion rate of 33% or lower.
This win not only solidified Oklahoma’s status as a strong competitor in the SEC but also highlighted their defensive strength and consistent ability to perform under pressure.
