Oklahoma Errors Key Blown Lead, Loss to Alabama in CFP Opener
Here’s a breakdown of teh key facts from the provided text, focusing on the Oklahoma vs. Alabama game and related details:
Game Summary:
* Teams: Oklahoma vs. Alabama
* Result: Oklahoma lost, blowing a meaningful lead. The game went to double overtime.
* Date: New Year’s Day 2018 (though the text mentions a second meeting “in the past 34 days” suggesting a more recent game is also referenced)
* Location: Oklahoma Memorial Stadium
Key Stats & Facts:
* Oklahoma’s lead: Oklahoma led 17-0 at one point.
* CFP Lead History: Teams leading by 17+ in CFP games are 28-2 all-time, with both losses belonging to Oklahoma.
* Oklahoma’s CFP Record: Oklahoma has lost all five of its playoff trips since 2015 and holds the most CFP losses of any program.
* Oklahoma’s Motto: The team’s motto was “Hard to Kill.”
* Oklahoma’s Offensive Start: The offense scored on 3 of its first 4 possessions and was outgaining Alabama 135-12 early in the game.
Turning Points/Critical Mistakes:
* Missed Chance (Mateer): Quarterback Mateer had a chance to run for a first down on 3rd-and-3 but threw a long, incomplete pass to Xavier Robinson.
* Dropped Punt: Oklahoma punter Grayson Miller dropped the punt attempt, turning the ball over on downs.
* Alabama Field Goal: This turnover led to a 35-yard field goal for Alabama, cutting the lead to 17-10.
* Interception (Mateer): Mateer threw an inexplicable pass that was intercepted by Alabama defensive back Zabien Brown.
Quotes:
* Brent Venables (Oklahoma Coach): Acknowledged critical mistakes but said the team had opportunities to overcome them.
* Kalen DeBoer (Alabama Coach): Highlighted the importance of field position against Oklahoma and the impact of the dropped punt.
Players Mentioned:
* Isaiah Sategna III (Oklahoma): Scored a touchdown.
* Xavier Robinson (Oklahoma): Target of a long pass attempt that was incomplete.
* Grayson Miller (Oklahoma): Dropped a punt attempt.
* Conor Talty (Alabama): Kicked a field goal.
* keontez Lewis (Oklahoma): was streaking downfield on the play where Mateer threw an interception.
* Zabien Brown (Alabama): Intercepted a pass from Mateer.
* Mateer (Oklahoma): Quarterback who made several key decisions that hurt Oklahoma’s chances.