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OU-Auburn quick-hitters: Sack party fuels Sooners victory

Bob Przybyloby: Bob Przybylo14 hours agoBPrzybylo
Jayden Jackson3
OU defensive tackle Jayden Jackson. (Kevin Jairaj - Imagn Images)

Is OU a fraud? Is Auburn for real? Honestly, you probably feel good and bad about both squads. Both have room for improvement but delivered a solid SEC opener. Everything left out there.

A couple of lead changes in the fourth quarter. But it’s OU moving to 4-0 and 1-0 with a hard-fought 24-17 victory Saturday afternoon in Norman.

The storyline coming in was all about former OU quarterback Jackson Arnold returning to Norman, now as the Auburn signal-caller.

And OU hit Arnold time and time again. Seven sacks in the first half, but Arnold kept getting up. And OU kept coming in the second half.

Here are your quick-hit takeaways.

Defense ices the game

It was fitting that it was R Mason Thomas getting the final laugh. After missing the first half because of last week’s targeting, he was ready to go.

Thomas had two sacks. His final one? A safety of Arnold on fourth down with just more than a minute to play. Count them, yep, 10 sacks from the OU defense to set a school record.

Give credit to Arnold for battling. But the OU defense never let up, not once. Jayden Jackson was sensational all afternoon.

Mateer saves his best for last

Auburn managed to take a 17-16 lead with 7:08 left in the fourth quarter. This is why OU quarterback John Mateer came to Norman, right?

He was as efficient as it gets in leading the game-winning touchdown drive. His favorite target was Isaiah Sategna.

They hit on a beautiful 31-yard connection down the sideline. It set up a Mateer touchdown run. OU couldn’t get the two-point, but the lead was secured again.

Mateer threw for 271 yards and has now gone 10 straight games with at least one rushing and one passing touchdown.

Arbuckle in his bag

It was a hit-and-miss game from the offensive side of things. However, for OU’s initial touchdown? Give credit to offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle for being a little tricky.

It looked as though Isaiah Sategna was about to sub himself out. He went to talk to Arbuckle but never left the field of play.

Instead, he was as wide as you can get without being on the sideline. Nobody on Auburn recognized it.

Wide open is one term for it. An easy 24-yard touchdown connection with quarterback John Mateer.

Up next

Time for that initial open date. After such a physical battle, it will be well-received. OU can rest up and get ready for Kent State in two weeks.

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