Oklahoma’s linebacker Ethan Downs sacked Quinn Ewers, who is recovering from an oblique injury, on the game’s opening play. Ewers threw an interception on the third play of the evening. That shed light on a Sooner team that has also been hampered by multiple injuries this season. The Sooners are without its first five starting receivers.

Oklahoma had a reason to believe it could walk away victorious after winning the last 11 out of the 15 meetings against the Longhorns.

A scheduling time change, which set the game time to 2:30 p.m. instead of its regular 11 a.m. start, had no bearing on the high-intensity Red River Rivalry. Both teams maintained its competitive spirit and adaptability, but Texas claimed the trophy.

The No. 1 Longhorns (6-0, 2-0) gave up a 42-yard field, but its defense set the tone for the remainder of the game. After Ewers’ eight-yard touchdown pass to tight end Gunnar Helm, the Longhorns never trailed as it trampled No. 18 Oklahoma, 34-3, in the 120th meeting at the Cotton Bowl on Saturday evening.

The Texas defense, with its strategic planning and impeccable execution, took control of the game early. It held the Sooners’ backfield to a mere 85 yards on 38 carries, and its dominance left a lasting impression. Without a ground game, the Sooners turned to the quick pass, which sometimes moved the ball.

After surrendering a 42-yard field goal, Texas scored 34 unanswered points, beginning with a 75-yard drive, which concluded after ten plays when Ewers found tight end Gunnar Helm on a seven-yard misdirection touchdown pass.

Ewers 26-yard pass to Moore, Jr., and 21-yarder to Helm’s at the Sooners’ 11 spunged the frame. Three plays later, Helm made the most out of a reception from Ewers by shedding one would-be tackler as he dived into the end zone from the one-yard line, giving Texas the lead, 7-3, following Bert Auburn’s PAT and never trailed after.

Despite the odds, Ewers displayed remarkable resilience with a rib injury endured a month ago. His performance, passing for 199 yards on 20-of-29 attempts and two touchdowns, showed his unwavering dedication to the Longhorns.

Soon after, Oklahoma’s freshman quarterback Michael Hawkins and freshman runningback Taylor Tatum suffered back-to-back fumbles, one of which led to Longhorn’s second touchdown. Hawkins, the first freshman to start against the Longhorns in this rich rivalry, finished 16-of-24 for 120 yards and suffered five sacks. The injury-plagued Sooners managed 225 total yards.

Oklahoma Coach Brent Benables told ABC sports analyst Holly Rowe during the pregame warmups before the game that there is no substitute for being physical. That’s going to be paramount today. Nothing affects the game like turnovers; taking care of the ball gives you an opportunity to win this game.

In the 120th meeting, Texas erased the thoughts of the Sooners (4-2, 1-2) walking out of the Red River Rivalry, which dates back to 1900, with yet another unexpected victory. Texas holds the series lead, 64-52-5, and since 1929, the game continues annually during one of Texas’ favorite pastimes, the State Fair of Texas.

Oklahoma vs. Texas rivalry sits second at (44) behind Michigan vs. Ohio State at (49) for the most AP-ranked matchups since 1936 of the poll era.

Next week, the Longhorns will host Georgia, the 2021 and 22 National Champions.

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