Sooners Survive Late Scare to Edge Tennessee, 33–27

The Oklahoma Sooners continued their strong 2025 campaign with a hard-fought 33–27 victory over No. 14 Tennessee, a result that extended their record to 7–2 and strengthened their postseason outlook. The win gave Oklahoma a valuable résumé boost against a ranked opponent, but it didn’t come easily.

Leading 26–17 late in the fourth quarter, the Sooners appeared poised to seal the game when quarterback John Mateer made a costly mistake. His pass was intercepted by Tennessee linebacker Edwin Spillman, who set up the Volunteers with excellent field position and a chance to pull off a stunning comeback.

Tennessee capitalized on the turnover, punching in a quick touchdown to cut the deficit to two points. For a moment, it looked as though Oklahoma’s collapse was imminent. However, after the Volunteers’ onside kick attempt failed, the Sooners’ offense regrouped and delivered a touchdown drive that ultimately secured the narrow victory.

While the scoreboard favored Oklahoma, the postgame discussion centered on the interception and what it revealed about Mateer’s recent struggles — and the offensive play call that set up the near-disaster.

1. Coaching Accountability After Costly Play

After the game, offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle stepped to the podium and immediately shouldered the blame for the fourth-quarter interception. Arbuckle explained that the play design, not Mateer’s execution, led to the mistake. “Yeah, at the end of the day, that was my fault,” Arbuckle told reporters via On3 Sports’ George Stoia III. “I called a run play there. [Tennessee] had eight, maybe nine, in the box, bringing cover zero. I gave the option to throw the ball right there. It’s nobody else’s fault but mine.” Arbuckle’s comments reflected both accountability and confidence in his quarterback, signaling that Mateer still has the staff’s full support despite recent inconsistency. The coordinator also described the situation as “a good learning moment,” emphasizing that late-game decision-making remains a team-wide area for improvement. His remarks may also help defuse the growing scrutiny surrounding Mateer, whose play since returning from injury has been uneven. The Sooners’ offensive rhythm, once electric early in the season, has struggled to find the same sharpness over the past few weeks.

2. Mateer’s Roller-Coaster Season

Mateer’s 2025 season has been a study in extremes. The junior quarterback opened the year on fire, leading Oklahoma to a 4–0 start with standout wins over Michigan and Auburn. His 11 total touchdowns in those four games thrust him briefly into the Heisman conversation and positioned Oklahoma as a legitimate playoff threat. But everything changed when Mateer suffered a broken bone in his throwing hand, requiring surgery that sidelined him for several weeks. His return came against archrival Texas — a game that ended in disappointment as he threw three interceptions and looked visibly rusty. Since rejoining the lineup, Mateer’s numbers have declined sharply. In contrast to his hot start, he’s recorded only three total touchdowns to four interceptions, and his decision-making under pressure has drawn growing concern. Still, his arm talent and leadership continue to give Oklahoma a fighting chance in tight games. The coaching staff has emphasized patience, believing that with time and rhythm, Mateer can return to his early-season form. Saturday’s win, even with its flaws, showed glimpses of that potential when it mattered most.

3. Playoff Hopes and Lessons Learned

Despite the uneven performance, Oklahoma’s victory over Tennessee represents a pivotal step toward its postseason goals. At 7–2, the Sooners remain alive in the College Football Playoff race, though their margin for error has grown razor thin. Every game from here forward will likely determine whether they stay in contention or fall short of the national stage. The defense deserves quiet credit for holding strong in key moments, especially after Mateer’s interception. The unit limited Tennessee’s explosive passing game and forced a turnover of its own to swing momentum back in Oklahoma’s favor late. For Mateer, the challenge now is consistency. His recovery from injury continues to be a factor, but cleaning up turnovers will be crucial if Oklahoma hopes to compete with elite offenses down the stretch. Arbuckle’s willingness to shoulder blame may ease some external pressure, but both coach and quarterback understand the expectations that come with leading a top program. As the Sooners look ahead to their final stretch, their latest win serves as both a warning and a reassurance — proof that while Oklahoma can survive adversity, it still has plenty to fix before truly thriving again.