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11/15 18:30 CST No. 11 Oklahoma delivers defensive gem and upsets No. 4 Alabama
23-21 in Tuscaloosa
No. 11 Oklahoma delivers defensive gem and upsets No. 4 Alabama 23-21 in
Tuscaloosa
By KENNINGTON SMITH III
Associated Press
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (AP) --- Kip Lewis had seven tackles, including two sacks, and
No. 11 Oklahoma stunned fourth-ranked Alabama 23-21 on Saturday to send shock
waves through the Southeastern Conference.
The Sooners (7-2, 4-2 SEC, No. 11 CFP) had three takeaways --- scoring 17
points off those turnovers --- and got a key stop late to end Alabama's winning
streaks of eight games overall and 17 at home. The Crimson Tide (8-2, 6-1, No.
4 CFP) had a chance down the stretch, but Ty Simpson's fourth-down pass to Ryan
Williams fell incomplete.
The Sooners ran out the clock from there, setting off a raucous celebration by
their visiting fans. Oklahoma --- a 6-point underdog, according to BetMGM
Sportsbook --- managed just 212 yards of offense but had an interception and
recovered two fumbles.
Alabama still controls its destiny in the SEC championship game race and the
College Football Playoff and can secure a spot by beating rival Auburn in the
Iron Bowl in two weeks.
Oklahoma held Alabama to 57 yards over its last four drives, which proved to be
the difference and should be enough to get the Sooners into position for a
playoff spot in the next CFP rankings.
Quarterback John Mateer managed 161 total yards --- 138 passing --- and scored
on the ground to lead Oklahoma's offense. Simpson threw for 326 yards, with a
touchdown to tight end Josh Cuevas and an interception. Daniel Hill scored
twice for the Tide.
Alabama's plus-10 turnover margin entering Saturday was fourth-best nationally
and best in the SEC. But that didn't matter to Oklahoma, which also had three
takeaways in a victory at Tennessee last week.
Oklahoma has six takeaways in two weeks after getting just four in its previous
seven games. And the Sooners have scored 37 points off those turnovers.
Despite dominating in nearly every category, a series of errors by Alabama
proved decisive. In addition to the turnovers, Alabama missed a 36-yard field
goal and allowed a 46-yard punt return that set up Oklahoma's first score.
The takeaway Oklahoma: After teetering on the CFP bubble, a signature win for Oklahoma should solidify its spot with games remaining against Missouri and LSU. Alabama: A number of potential deficiencies caught up to the Tide --- in the running game, on the offensive line and on special teams.
Up next Oklahoma hosts Missouri next Saturday. Alabama hosts Eastern Illinois next Saturday. ___ Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here and here (AP News mobile app). AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-football
The takeaway Oklahoma: After teetering on the CFP bubble, a signature win for Oklahoma should solidify its spot with games remaining against Missouri and LSU. Alabama: A number of potential deficiencies caught up to the Tide --- in the running game, on the offensive line and on special teams.
Up next Oklahoma hosts Missouri next Saturday. Alabama hosts Eastern Illinois next Saturday. ___ Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here and here (AP News mobile app). AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-football
