Over the last two seasons, Oklahoma safety Peyton Bowen has become one of the best players at his position in college football. In the November run in 2025, Bowen came up with key plays in the Sooners' final four games to help the team make the College Football Playoff. In 2026, he's having another fantastic season.
On Saturday, Bowen's interception return for a touchdown
provided the Sooners a huge moment in their 17-point fourth quarter.After freshman defensive end Jake Kreul flushed Arch Manning out of the pocket, the Texas quarterback tried to hit Cam Coleman on a deep crosser. The ball sailed past his intended receiver, and Bowen intercepted it easily.
But what he did after the pick was just as important. Bowen weaved through the Texas offense
and fought off tackles to punch the ball into the end zone, giving the Sooners a seven-point lead. The 42-yard touchdown return, along with seven total tackles, earned Bowen Thorpe Award National Defensive Back of the Week honors.
Bowen is one of Oklahoma's best players and a key leader. He's been a big-time playmaker for Oklahoma since arriving as a true freshman in 2023. For the Sooners to build on their win over Texas, they'll need Bowen and the rest of the Sooners' defense to continue impacting the game in a big way.
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This article originally appeared on Sooners Wire: Oklahoma Sooners Peyton Bowen earns Thorpe Award National Honors
