Oklahoma Sooners head coach Brent Venables faced a tough challenge heading into Saturday's Red River Rivalry game against the Texas Longhorns. He'd lost three out of four against the Longhorns, and Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian seemed to have his number. The Sooners hadn't scored a touchdown in any of the three losses.
As the top-ranked 'Horns looked to make it three straight over unranked OU for the first time in the 21st century, Venables was under fire for how this season had gone as well. Two ugly losses and one ugly win had the Sooners at 2-2 overall and 0-1 in the SEC. The offense was broken again, and the season was teetering on the point of collapse. Venables and offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle had been criticized for not benching
starting quarterback John Mateer, and the Sooners were heavy underdogs heading down to Dallas.
Oklahoma was in must-win mode against the No. 1 team in the nation, and it delivered. The Sooners scored touchdowns in all three phases and battled back from a 10-point halftime deficit.
After the game, defensive back Peyton Bowen gave Venables and his staff a glowing endorsement. Bowen has been a Sooner for four years, and his role has grown from a fun young piece of the defense as a freshman in 2023 to a veteran starter and bona fide star in 2026 as a senior.
"That's why I stayed," Bowen said. "I have so much belief in the staff and BV ... I love what they've done for me as a person and football player."
Of course, Bowen starred in one of the pivotal moments of the afternoon, intercepting a pass from Texas quarterback Arch Manning, and then returning it for a touchdown that gave the Sooners their first lead of the game. With multiple key players missing, Bowen made big plays that helped Oklahoma turn the tide.
SOONER MAGIC pic.twitter.com/K1cEqn0kPI
— Oklahoma Football (@OU_Football) October 10, 2026
The story of Oklahoma's 2026 season isn't written yet, mainly because Venables and Co. got the victory they desperately needed. Sticking with Mateer panned out; the special teams unit won their battle, and Venables' defense confused Manning and forced two fourth-quarter interceptions. Everyone knows what happens from here will ultimately determine Oklahoma's season narrative. For now, though, a big tip of the Golden Hat to Venables for a gutsy job well done against Texas.
Family over everything ☝️ pic.twitter.com/sEyCIf0e7X
— Oklahoma Football (@OU_Football) October 11, 2026
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This article originally appeared on Sooners Wire: Peyton Bowen praises Oklahoma's coaching staff after Texas win
