The Oklahoma Sooners' season came to an end after a 34-24 loss to the Alabama Crimson Tide in the College Football Playoff on Friday night (December 19) in Norman, Oklahoma. Alabama made history by becoming the first road team to win in the playoff's first round, overcoming a 17-point deficit to secure the victory.
Oklahoma initially dominated the game, leading 17-0, with quarterback John Mateer throwing a touchdown pass to Isaiah Sategna and kicker Tate Sandell adding a field goal. However, Alabama's freshman Lotzeir Brooks sparked a comeback with two touchdown receptions, including a crucial fourth-and-two catch that put Alabama on the scoreboard. The Crimson Tide's defense also played a pivotal role, with Zabien Brown intercepting Mateer and returning it 50 yards for a touchdown, tying the game at 17.
Alabama's offense continued to build momentum, scoring 27 unanswered points. Quarterback Ty Simpson threw for 232 yards and two touchdowns, while Alabama's kicker Conor Talty added a 40-yard field goal. Oklahoma's Deion Burks briefly narrowed the gap with a 37-yard touchdown reception, but Sandell's two missed field goals in the final minutes sealed the Sooners' fate.
Oklahoma's head coach Brent Venables acknowledged the team's mixed performance, stating, "It was a really good game that had some really great moments for the Sooners, and obviously, some really ill-timed moments as well" (CBS Sports).
With this win, Alabama advances to face top-seeded Indiana in the Rose Bowl on January 1. The Crimson Tide will need to prepare for a tough matchup against Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza and the Hoosiers' formidable offense (ESPN).