OU’s unprobable Hunt for Red November is in the books with the Sooners going 4-0 in what were four elimination games.
In 2000, when the Sooners won their last national championship, it was the Hunt for Red October as the Sooners took down ranked Texas, Nebraska, and K State all in the same month. This Hunt for Red November is more impressive in my view as OU had to beat ranked Tennessee and ranked Alabama on the road back to back, then deal with ranked Missouri, and an LSU squad which was ranked as high as third in the nation after the first five weeks of this season before their self- imposed implosion.
With OU’s first home game victory ever versus LSU in the books…the Sooners’ all-time record versus the Tigers is now 2-3. This was the first time OU played LSU in a non-southern redneck venue where OU actually had a homefield advantage. So there’s that as well for all you OU haters and doubters.
My game ball goes to OU safety Peyton Bowen for his excellent clutch play in this game. It was Peyton’s endzone oskie in the first period which saved the Sooners from giving up any points following John Mateer’s almost disastrous first interception of the game.
Then it was Peyton’s very smart play on the fourth down stop in OU territory which in essence clinched the game for the Sooners. Both Peyton and younger brother Eli have been clutch for the Sooners in this four game run. Absolutely clutch.
So with relative ease I feel good giving Peyton my lone game ball.
My two helmet stickers go to the other side of the ball to Isaiah Sategna and John Mateer. When it had to be done these two guys for the second week in a row delievered the game winning touchdown play which was absolutely electric for those of us Who Bleed Crimson.
Isaiah had a huge game with nine catches for 120 yards, the game winning TD, and a forty yard punt return as well. Without Isaiah’s stellar play the Sooners would not be advancing. On the season, Isaiah now has 950 receiving yards and has clearly emerged as the Sooners’ most dangerous playmaker.
John Mateer gets my other helmet sticker. Despite John’s three interceptions…he did not fold coming down the stretch and threw a third period TD pass to Deion Burks. John had 319 pssing yards on a very windy day as well. *Of note…this was Dion’s first touchdown since the Michigan game.
To Deion from MJ…nice play,… but we’ll need more of this from you if the Sooners are to keep advancing. You and Javonnie Gibson should both be getting open with the other team’s defenses focusing on Isaiah. Same thing as well to hybrid tight end Jared Kanak…you made some nice plays down the stretch, but more will be needed to get this OU offense where it needs to be. Circle Deion, Javonnie, and Jared moving forward.
That’s it for me on this Sunday. I’m beyond thrilled for these players and what they just accomplished. They lost their best player (R Mason) in the first quarter at Tennessee and never surrendered or made excuses.
They just FOUND A WAY EVERY WEEK FROM DIFFERENT GUYS.
That’s a team, guys. That’s what that is.
MJ