DALLAS – Oklahoma head coach Brent Venables defended the Sooners’ late-first-half decision to attempt a touchdown pass rather of kicking a field goal, a play that resulted in an interception and shifted momentum to Texas in their Red River rivalry game. Venables stated the intention was to avoid giving the Longhorns possession, believing a missed attempt was preferable to allowing Texas another offensive opportunity.
The interception, occurring right before halftime, proved pivotal in Oklahoma’s eventual loss, according to Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian, who called it a “massive play” that fueled his team’s second-half success. The Sooners were shut out in the second half as the Texas defense increased pressure on Oklahoma quarterback Jackson Arnold, who accepted responsibility for the offensive struggles.
Venables explained that Oklahoma’s offensive game plan in the first half aligned with their pre-game expectations against a strong Texas defense, noting the first-half statistics reflected that parity. though, he acknowledged a defensive breakdown in the second half allowed Texas to control possession and limit Oklahoma’s offensive opportunities.
“I thought thay played exactly, structurally, everything was exactly what we thought (on defense),” Venables said. “Coverage-wise, front, stunts, their pressure package. They were able to execute. I thought offensively, we had some good success in the first half what you would think with two strong defenses.”
Sarkisian emphasized the importance of Texas’s ability to extend drives and convert third downs in the second half, leading to a touchdown and a sustained offensive presence. The Longhorns’ success in controlling the ball contrasted sharply with Oklahoma’s second-half struggles, ultimately contributing to the outcome of the Cotton Bowl matchup.
