- - Mateer runs for decisive TD, leads No. 18 Oklahoma over No. 14 Tennessee 33-27

AL LESAR November 2, 2025 at 4:49 AM

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1 / 4Oklahama Tennessee FootballOklahoma quarterback John Mateer (10) stiff arms Tennessee defensive lineman Daevin Hobbs (5) as he runs for yardage during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 1, 2025, in Knoxville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — John Mateer threw for 159 yards and ran for 80 yards and a clinching touchdown with less than two minutes to play to lead No. 18 Oklahoma to a 33-27 win over No. 14 Tennessee on Saturday night.

The Sooners (7-2, 3-2 Southeastern Conference) capitalized on three turnovers by the Volunteers (6-3, 3-3) to score 13 points.

R Thomas Mason returned a fumble 71 yards for a score and Tate Sandell hit two field goals after interceptions. Sandell had four field goals in the game — two from 55 yards and one from 51.

Joey Aguilar threw for 393 yards and a pair of touchdowns to Braylon Staley, who caught five passes in all for 75 yards.

Though Tennessee dominated the first-half offensive stats (255-99), the Vols' mistakes allowed Oklahoma to lead, 16-10.

Mike Matthews caught a 15-yard TD pass from Aguilar with 1:56 to play to cut the difference to 26-24. After the Sooners recovered the onside kick, Xavier Robinson ran 43 yards and intentionally went down at the 1-yard line. Mateer's 1-yard run iced the victory.

The takeaway

Oklahoma: Pulling off a victory in a hostile environment like Neyland Stadium — at night, with the bright lights shining — will go a long way toward helping the Sooners through their final three games of the season. After a week to decompress, Oklahoma will have another monumental challenge when it travels to Tuscaloosa to play No. 4 Alabama. It is very much alive for a College Football Playoff spot, but there is no margin for error.

Tennessee: Injuries in the defensive backfield caught up with the Volunteers. The disappointing loss, in front of a frenzied crowd, ended the Vols’ hopes to repeat as a CFP qualifier. The Vols will have an extra week to recover before trying to finish the season on a positive note.

Facts and figures

Mason's 71-yard return of Joey Aguilar's fumble for a touchdown was the longest fumble return in Oklahoma history. ... The Sooners didn't get their first third-down conversion until less that three minutes remained in the first half, though the score was tied at 10.

Up next

Oklahoma: After an open date, the Sooners play at Alabama on Nov. 15.

Tennessee: After an open date, the Vols play at home against New Mexico State on Nov. 15.

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Source: “AOL Sports”