The Oklahoma Sooners scored in all three phases of the game.
OU’s defense got on the scoreboard in the fourth quarter. Texas quarterback Arch Manning threw an errant pass to avoid a devastating Sooner blitz, and safety Peyton Bowen came down with it.
The senior had watched his younger brother, Eli, return an interception for a touchdown against Alabama last season. This time, it was his turn. Bowen burst down the seam, showing the speed of a former punt returner. As he reached the 10-yard line, he stiff-armed his way through Texas wide receiver Jermaine Bishop, while Reggie Powers III cleared out Manning with a lead block. Bowen flexed his arms at his sides as he stepped into the end zone.
Oklahoma made many memorable plays in the 27-24 upset win
over No. 1 Texas in the Cotton Bowl on Saturday. Danny Okoye’s special-teams block that led to Dakoda Fields recovering the ball for a touchdown, Courtland Guillory’s late-game interception, John Mateer’s and Isaiah Sategna’s two back-shoulder connections, and Tate Sandell’s game-winning field goal. But one of the most thrilling plays was Bowen’s fourth-quarter 42-yard interception return for a touchdown, giving Oklahoma its first lead of the game.
Peyton Bowen pulls down the pick six for the Sooner lead!
— CFP (@CFBPlayoff) October 10, 2026
📺: ABC || @SEC pic.twitter.com/UIwRXu6CQ4
“It was awesome,” Bowen said postgame. “Like I just seen (Manning) overthrow the ball, made sure I caught it this time and then I see Bishop (Thomas) trying to call me over and I saw green grass ahead of me.”
Oklahoma scored 20 second-half points, and the Sooners defense turned two Manning interceptions into catastrophic mistakes. Though, Texas was able to score after Bowen's interception, the Sooners never fell behind again. Guillory, who came down with the final interception of the game, was proud of his teammate.
“Bruh. It was crazy,” Oklahoma cornerback Courtland Guillory said of Bowen’s interception. “I look back for the ball, and I just see it in the air, and 22 come out of nowhere. It was crazy for him to make a big-time moment like that when the team really needed him the most. It’s just a testament to show how great of a player he is.”
Bowen, who has the ability to go pro after the season, likely just played in his last Red River Rivalry game. And in the critical moment, he produced the play that turned the game around. A moment many will never forget.
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This article originally appeared on Sooners Wire: Peyton Bowen delivers late-game interception to down No. 1 Texas
