The Bowen brothers deliver opening, closing remarks in OU's win at Alabama
TUSCALOOSA, Alabama — Eli Bowen delivered arguably the biggest play of Oklahoma’s 23-21 win over No. 4 Alabama.
The Crimson Tide’s offense was threatening midway through the first quarter, with the Sooners lead 3-0. The Sooners forced a fumble and appeared to recover it, but Kobie McKinzie failed to corral the loose ball before it went out of bounds. Instead, the Crimson Tide retained possession at OU’s 30-yard line.
Bowen made up for it on the very next play.
With help from Kip Lewis on a blitz, Bowen intercepted Ty Simpson and returned it for an 87-yard touchdown. That gave the Sooners a 10-point lead and proved crucial in a game OU won by two.
It was almost like Groundhog Day, considering Bowen also had an interception in last year’s win against Alabama. But unlike his pick last year, Bowen returned this one for a touchdown, and it completely swung the momentum.
“It was just a blessing, to be honest,” Bowen said after the game. “I’ve got to give props to (Robert Spears-Jennings) banging the receiver, not letting him be able to catch the ball. Letting me catch it. I mean, from there it was just my instincts taking over. Making plays.”
It was Eli’s that made the early play that pushed OU’s lead. His brother, Peyton, made the play that sealed the win.
With the Sooners clinging to a two-point lead, Alabama faced fourth-and-six near midfield with 58 seconds to go. Simpson tried to throw it to a receiver towards the left sideline, but Peyton Bowen broke it up to force a turnover on downs.
“So I was actually supposed to be on the running back, but Kendal Daniels was like, ‘Hey Peyton, you go get ‘em,’ and I was like, ‘Alright, fine. C’mon let’s go play ball,'” Peyton explained. “I knew they were trying to get half on the play before and I knew they thought we were going to blitz them, so they were going to try and get the ball out quick and I had help inside, so I shaded outside and just made the play.”
The Bowen brothers have become instrumental parts of the Sooners’ defense, and the duo combined for eight tackles, two pass breakups and two critical plays that told the story for a signature win in Tuscaloosa.
They’re also big reasons why the turnovers have started flowing for OU’s defense. The Sooners had forced just four turnovers through the first eight games. But the Sooners had three in the previous win over Tennessee, including Peyton’s interception that led to a field goal. The Sooners generated three more against Alabama, which led to 17 points. None of those points were more important than Eli’s pick-six.
It wasn’t a perfect performance for OU’s defense, which surrendered 406 total yards to Alabama and 326 passing yards to Simpson. But the Sooners tightened up in the second half, allowing just 132 yards and 80 passing yards after halftime.
The result? The Sooners now sit with an 8-2 record and have back-to-back road wins over ranked opponents..
“That’s why you stay here,” Peyton said. “You just have faith and belief in the program and what (OU coach Brent Venables) is doing and year after year, I’ve seen him improve as well and not just the team. So the way he’s running the program right now and everything, I can tell that he’s learning as we’re learning. So having those playoff hopes alive just means a lot to us, because that’s what we’re looking forward to every year.
“We know that we’re that program that can be contending for it every year.”
The Sooners now sit in the driver’s seat for the College Football Playoff. And led by the Bowen brothers, OU’s defense is the biggest reason why.
It means a lot to Eli.
“Words can’t even explain it,” Eli said. “I’m just so happy for (Peyton). I’m just so happy that we’re both able to play on this stage. I’m just so grateful. I thank God that we can do this. I’m just happy we got to shine when our moments came.”