A mistake-filled first half has resulted in No. 20 Oklahoma out-gaining Texas by 251 yards but leading the ‘Horns just 14-13 through one half in Dallas.
After entering the season one of a handful of teams without an interception, Texas snagged two in the first quarter. The first came after Malcolm Roach hit tight end Mark Andrews, forcing the ball to ping-pong into the arms of safety Dylan Haines. The Longhorns did not capitalize on the score, but did snag another pick on the next possession when Haines caught a wide open pass thanks to one of the most obvious no-calls of the entire season.
Haines’ return set up Trent Domingue for a 33-yard field goal at the 5:21 mark of the first quarter.
Continuing the theme of capitalizing on mistakes, Oklahoma forced a fumble by D’Onta Foreman deep in his own territory, and three plays and 16 yards later Oklahoma had a 7-3 lead.
Texas answered with its only sustained drive of the half, an 8-play, 66-yard march capped by a one-yard Foreman run to give Texas a 10-7 edge 39 seconds into the second quarter. True freshman Shane Buechele struggled for most of the half -- partly due to inaccuracy, partly exacerbated by poor protection -- and never was that more obvious than on the ‘Horns next possession when, after a Joe Mixon fumble, he missed a wide open John Burt that would have staked Texas to a 17-7 lead.
Instead, Oklahoma struck next with a long score of its own, a 71-yard rainbow -- the longest completion OU’s ever had against Texas -- from Mayfield to Dede Westbrook, putting the Sooners back in front 14-10 with 4:02 to play in the half.
Texas closed the half with an 18-play, 64-yard drive ending in another Domingue field goal as time expired.
Oklahoma has gained 281 yards to UT’s 130, led by Samaje Perine‘s 11 carries for 87 yards and a touchdown. Mayfield has connected on 12-of-20 throws for 157 yards with a score and two picks.
Buechele has hit only 9-of-21 passes for 79 yards, and Foreman has been limited to 32 yards on 12 carries.
Texas, it’s worth noting, is 0-13 under Charlie Strong when trailing at the half.