The Texas Longhorns bludgeoned the Oklahoma Sooners 49-0 on Saturday in the Red River Rivalry showdown at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas.
The blowout is historic for both teams, marking Texas’ (4-2, 2-1 Big 12) most lopsided win over Oklahoma (3-3, 0-3) in the 118th edition of the rivalry and the Longhorns’ first shutout win over the Sooners since 1965.
For Oklahoma, it is its biggest shutout loss in history, surpassing a 47-0 defeat by Oklahoma State in 1945, and the third-largest margin of defeat in program history.
After a 55-24 loss to TCU last week, the Sooners have lost back-to-back games by more than 30 points for the first time in school history.
The shutout loss also ended a 311-game scoring streak by Oklahoma, the seventh longest in the FBS, and an FBS-best streak of 167 straight games with an offensive touchdown.
Texas was relentless from the start, pouncing on Oklahoma with three consecutive first-half touchdown drives en route to a 28-0 halftime lead.
The Longhorns finished with 585 yards of offense, including 296 rushing yards, while the defense held the Sooners to just 195 offensive yards.
After blowing a 21-point lead in last season’s 55-48 loss to the Sooners, the Longhorns left no doubt about who was the better team this year.
“I hate to dwell on last year, but we felt like we let one get away,” Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian said. “I thought [the team] put forth a really good week of preparation. I thought our mental focus, our mental intensity — they were not caught up in all of the fanfare and hoopla of the game. They focused on what they needed to do and, in the end, we played a really complete football game. I thought [in] all three phases, guys executed at a high level and the result was the result.”
Quinn Ewers got the starting nod for the Longhorns following recovery from a clavicle injury suffered in Week 2 against Alabama. Ewers did not look hindered by any injury, throwing for a career-high 289 yards on 21-of-31 passing for four touchdowns and one interception.
It could not have gone much better for the redshirt freshman from Southlake Carroll, who said it was a dream to play in a Red River showdown.
“I know all these guys were pretty excited, but growing up a fan, I always wanted to play in this one,” Ewers said. “So it’s pretty special.”
Bijan Robinson led the Texas ground game with 130 yards and two touchdowns on 22 carries, while Ja’Tavion Sanders hauled in a pair of touchdown passes and finished with 71 receiving yards.
Jordan Whittington led the Longhorns with 97 receiving yards on five catches, and Xavier Worthy and Keilan Robinson each caught touchdown passes.
Oklahoma played without injured starting quarterback Dillon Gabriel, who failed to clear concussion protocol after suffering a blow to the head in last week’s loss to TCU.
The Sooners tried a patchwork approach at QB, using backup Davis Beville, who went 6-of-12 for 38 yards and an interception, along with Wildcat formation plays featuring a tight end, running back, and wide receiver taking direct snaps.
Oklahoma ran the ball 42 times on the day for 156 yards. Receiver Jalil Farooq had five carries for a team-high 60 yards, while running back Eric Gray ran 11 times for 59 yards.
The Sooners managed just 11 first downs, with their leading receiver, Brayden Willis, having just two catches for 25 yards.
“We were good enough on both sides of the ball to be a lot more competitive and have a chance to win the game than what we displayed,” Oklahoma first-year head coach Brent Venables said. “The responsibility starts with me, and I obviously did a very poor job.”
