The Tide avenged two out of the three conference losses they took last year versus Vanderbilt and Tennessee. With last year’s loss lingering in their minds, many fans were looking forward to the chance at revenge versus the Sooners. Unfortunately for the Tide, they lost their first conference game at home this year, ending their 17-game home winning streak.
Photo Cred: USA Today
The game started off slow, with the only points in the first four possessions coming from Oklahoma after a field goal by Tate Sandell. The Tide then put together a promising drive that appeared destined to end in a score, but Oklahoma sent a blitz that pressured Ty Simpson into throwing a pick to Oklahoma defensive back Eli Bowen. Bowen ran it back 87 yards for a pick-six, extending the Sooners’ lead to 10-0 and putting a devastating end to the Tide’s drive.
After a very unfortunate first quarter, the Tide drove 72 yards down the field, and after a direct snap to running back Daniel Hill, they scored their first points of the game. The Tide defense kept the momentum going and forced a quick three-and-out, but tragedy struck on the punt when Ryan Williams fumbled on the return, and it was recovered by Oklahoma. Quarterback John Mateer capitalized on the great field position and ran 20 yards for a touchdown, making it a two-score lead again.
The Tide matched the Sooners’ touchdown with one of their own after Simpson found tight end Josh Cuevas for a 25-yard score, making it 17-14. The Tide defense forced another punt, and the offense drained the remaining time to attempt a 36-yard field goal to tie the game, but it ended up being blocked. Oklahoma received the ball first in the second half and kicked another field goal. The Tide’s offense responded by driving down the field and running another direct snap to Daniel Hill to take the lead, making the score 20-21. The two teams then reached a stalemate, forcing each other to punt.
Photo Cred: Alabama
The Tide received the ball after another three-and-out by their defense, but on third down, Simpson dropped back to pass and was strip-sacked by Oklahoma defensive lineman Taylor Wein. The fumble was recovered by Oklahoma, and they turned the turnover into a field goal, giving them a 23-21 lead. Both teams punted again, and Alabama found itself running out of time. With less than a minute left, the Tide faced a fourth-and-six, and Simpson attempted a pass to Williams, but it was knocked away, ending Alabama’s chances of a late score for the win.
After the loss, Coach Kalen DeBoer stated that he was “really disappointed in the outcome… the turnover battle we obviously got killed there and that became the game.” He also pointed out that Oklahoma scored 17 of their 23 points off turnovers. The Tide will now have to win the rest of their games for a chance at the College Football Playoff, and they take on Eastern Illinois next week and the Auburn Tigers in Jordan-Hare Stadium for this year’s Iron Bowl.
