Ruling upheld: OU defensive end R Mason Thomas to miss first half vs. Auburn

by: Jesse Crittenden09/16/25JesseCrittenden

Syndication: The Oklahoman — Oklahoma Sooners defensive lineman R Mason Thomas (32) chases after Michigan Wolverines quarterback Bryce Underwood (19) during a college football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners (OU) and the University of Michigan Wolverines at Gaylord Family Ð Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Okla., Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025. Oklahoma won 24-13.

NORMAN — Brent Venables confirmed that Oklahoma defensive end R Mason Thomas will miss the first half of Saturday’s game against Auburn.

Thomas was ejected for a targeting penalty during the second half of last weekend’s 42-3 win over Temple. Any player who is ejected for a targeting penalty in the second half is automatically suspended for the first half of the next game, per NCAA rules.

Venables confirmed the Sooners would appeal the ruling in hopes of maintaining Thomas’ eligibility for the entire game against Auburn. However, the Sooners will be without their star defensive end for the first half as the Sooners open conference play this weekend (2:30 p.m. Saturday, ABC).

Thomas — who was named to the All-SEC Second Team last season — has started all three games this season, totaling three tackles and a tackle for loss. He’s played 109 snaps, which ranks third on the defense, per Pro Football Focus.

Without Thomas for the first half, the Sooners will have to turn to other options. The Sooners will lean more on Marvin Jones Jr., who has five tackles and a TFL and has been significant factor through the first three weeks. There will likely be more playing time for juniors PJ Adebawore and Taylor Wein, who leads the defensive ends in both tackles (8), tackles for loss (3) and sacks (1.5). Venables also said Danny Okoye, who did not travel with the team to Temple, is expected to be available this weekend.

The other defensive ends know they’ll have to step up.

“It definitely sucks that he’ll miss,” Adebawore said Monday. “But at the end of the day, whoever’s out there, we’re gonna play to our standard.

The Sooners have depth, but Thomas’ absence certainly isn’t ideal against an Auburn team that ranks 16th in rushing offense (242 yards per game) while averaging 5.8 yards per carry.

“We’ve been playing a bunch of guys, and Danny will be back here this week,” Venables said. “So, guys gotta hold it down, but I’ve got no doubt they will.”

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