The Oklahoma Sooners bounced-back after collapsing against the Kentucky Wildcats in the fourth quarter a week ago. The Sooners defeated the Mississippi State Bulldogs, 23-15 on the road.
Oklahoma dominated the game from start to finish, outgaining the Bulldogs 467 to 352. Quarterback John Mateer was excellent, completing 22-of-29 passes for 283 yards and two scores, while rushing for 37 yards on nine carries. Oklahoma had a season-high 184 yards on the ground on 4.5 yards per carry.
Head coach Brent Venables reacted to the performance after the game.
"I'm proud of our guys, our team, coaches, and players for figuring out how to win a game the same way, somehow," Venables said. "Made it hard at times. It didn't have to be as hard. But if you make
some of the mistakes we made, you are going to be sitting there right there at the end hoping to close them out."
The win offered encouraging signs for an Oklahoma offense that had struggled to find consistency through the first half of the season. Mateer's efficiency through the air, combined with the Sooners' best rushing performance of the year, gave the offense a more balanced attack and helped Oklahoma control the game statistically. That progress will be important to build on as the Sooners look to establish a more reliable identity on offense.
Still, Venables' comments underscored that there is work left to do. Oklahoma's ability to move the ball was a positive, but missed opportunities and costly mistakes kept the Bulldogs within reach late in the game. The Sooners will look to clean up those issues heading into their next matchup, carrying the confidence of a road win while knowing that finishing stronger will be essential against tougher competition.
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This article originally appeared on Sooners Wire: Brent Venables reacts to Oklahoma's win over Mississippi State
