No. 1 Texas Stunned by Oklahoma 27-24 as Mistakes Pile Up

Texas entered the Texas Oklahoma Red River Rivalry as the No. 1 team in the country and left the Cotton Bowl in Dallas with a 27-24 loss to Oklahoma on Saturday, a defeat built on special teams breakdowns, penalties and two Arch Manning interceptions.

How a 10-0 lead disappeared

Texas opened with dominant defense and a stalled offense, building a 10-0 halftime lead. That advantage never felt secure. Oklahoma blocked a Mac Chiumento punt in the first half, and Dakota Fields recovered it in the end zone for a touchdown.

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The Longhorns had a bye week to prepare and were expected to win. Instead, the second half unraveled. Oklahoma kicked a third-quarter field goal to cut the lead to seven, then opened the fourth quarter with a touchdown drive.

Manning's mixed night

Manning threw a pick-six to Peyton Bowen that swung the game. He responded with a 42-yard pass to Cam Coleman and a 15-yard touchdown pass to Jermaine Bishop Jr. to tie the score. But later, with about one minute left, Manning threw a second interception. Oklahoma kicked the winning field goal with 19 seconds remaining.

Manning finished the game described as tentative and indecisive, his running ability underused in an offense that only goes up-tempo when necessary. Texas had four consecutive punts in the second half, and the running game was anemic behind a subpar offensive line.

Penalties and special teams again

Two defensive penalties proved costly. A roughing the passer call on Raheem Biles negated a Texas interception, and a Kade Phillips pass interference penalty extended an Oklahoma drive. The special teams allowed a touchdown for the second consecutive week, following a punt return touchdown against Tennessee earlier in the season.

Gianni Spetic missed a 53-yard field goal that could have changed the finish.

Sarkisian under scrutiny

Steve Sarkisian said there is anger and frustration because of issues needing fixes, and that the issues appeared against a quality team. His reputation as a quarterback guru is now questioned. Quinn Ewers regressed by the end of 2025 and was drafted in the seventh round. Manning’s development has not followed the expected arc.

Penalties have cost Texas games for three consecutive years. The loss could jeopardize the Longhorns’ playoff hopes, with tougher games remaining. It was a major upset, and it raises questions about whether this was Sarkisian’s worst loss at Texas.