OKLAHOMA SURVIVES TEXAS 27–24 AS THE BIG BOYS SHAPE THE RED RIVER BATTLE
Starts Up Front “Big Boys Only” College Report
Final Score: Oklahoma 27, Texas 24
Oklahoma defeated Texas 27–24 in a physical rivalry game defined by defensive-line disruption, inconsistent offensive-line production and one game-changing special-teams play from a Sooners defensive lineman.
This Starts Up Front National & Global Recruiting Board report focuses exclusively on offensive linemen, defensive tackles, defensive ends and edge players officially classified as defensive linemen. Linebackers and all offensive skill positions have been excluded.
Texas produced more rushing and passing yardage, while its defensive line finished with more tackles for loss and sacks. Oklahoma, however, made the critical plays necessary to secure the victory.
Oklahoma Offensive Line
Starting Five
- Noah Best
- Jake Maikkula
- Ryan Fodje
- E’Marion Harris
- Heath Ozaeta
Verified Oklahoma Offensive-Line Results
| Category | Oklahoma |
|---|---|
| Rushing attempts | 31 |
| Net rushing yards | 83 |
| Yards per rushing attempt | 2.7 |
| Longest run | 42 yards |
| Rushing touchdowns | 1 |
| Sacks allowed | 3 |
| Sack yardage lost | 19 |
| Passing yards protected | 155 |
| Third-down conversions | 2 of 13 |
| Accepted offensive-line penalties | 1 holding penalty |
| Fumble recoveries by offensive linemen | 1 |
Oklahoma’s offensive line experienced an uneven performance. The Sooners finished with only 83 net rushing yards, averaged 2.7 yards per attempt and allowed three sacks for a combined loss of 19 yards.
The unit also struggled to sustain drives, with Oklahoma converting only two of its 13 third-down opportunities.
Ryan Fodje was charged with a 10-yard holding penalty, but he also delivered an important recovery in the first quarter. Following an Oklahoma sack allowed, Fodje recovered the resulting fumble and prevented Texas from gaining possession.
Despite the overall struggles, Oklahoma’s offensive front generated enough movement for a two-yard, fourth-quarter touchdown that tied the game. The line was not consistently dominant, but it delivered during one of the contest’s most important short-yardage situations.
Oklahoma Defensive Line
| Defensive lineman | Tackles | TFL | Sacks | QB hits/hurries | Additional impact |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| David Stone | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Starting defensive lineman |
| Taylor Wein | 3 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 1 | Four-yard sack |
| Adepoju Adebawore | 2 | 0.5 | 0 | 0 | Leverage penalty |
| Trent Wilson | 2 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 0 | Six-yard sack |
| Jayden Jackson | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | Starting defensive lineman |
| Bishop Thomas | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | One pass breakup |
| Jake Kreul | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | Late-game pressure |
| Danny Okoye | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Blocked punt leading to a touchdown |
| Kenny Ozowalu | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Participated |
Oklahoma Defensive-Line Totals
- 15 combined tackles
- 2.5 tackles for loss
- 2 sacks for 10 yards
- 3 quarterback hurries
- 1 pass breakup
- 1 blocked punt
Taylor Wein and Trent Wilson supplied Oklahoma’s two sacks. Wein recorded a four-yard sack, while Wilson produced a six-yard sack. David Stone led all Oklahoma defensive linemen with five tackles.
Jake Kreul added late-game pressure, Jayden Jackson recorded a quarterback hurry and Bishop Thomas contributed a pass breakup from the defensive front.
However, Danny Okoye delivered the most consequential play by an Oklahoma lineman. His blocked punt led directly to a touchdown, giving the Sooners a major scoring opportunity without requiring the offense to drive the entire field.
In a three-point victory, that blocked punt stands as one of the game’s defining moments.
Texas Offensive Line
Starting Five
- Dylan Sikorski
- Connor Robertson
- Melvin Siani
- Brandon Baker
- Trevor Goosby
Verified Texas Offensive-Line Results
| Category | Texas |
|---|---|
| Rushing attempts | 32 |
| Net rushing yards | 122 |
| Yards per rushing attempt | 3.8 |
| Longest run | 16 yards |
| Rushing touchdowns | 0 |
| Sacks allowed | 2 |
| Sack yardage lost | 10 |
| Passing yards protected | 260 |
| Third-down conversions | 3 of 14 |
| Fourth-down conversions | 1 of 1 |
| Offensive-line penalties | 2 |
| Turnovers attributed directly to offensive line | 0 |
Texas generated more offensive production than Oklahoma, finishing with 122 net rushing yards and 260 passing yards. The Longhorns averaged 3.8 yards per rushing attempt and surrendered two sacks for a combined loss of 10 yards.
Despite producing more yardage, Texas failed to score a rushing touchdown and converted only three of 14 third-down opportunities. The inability to finish drives and consistently win critical downs limited the value of the Longhorns’ statistical advantage.
Melvin Siani was charged with two penalties—a false start and a 10-yard holding penalty. Those infractions contributed to Texas’ difficulty maintaining offensive rhythm.
The Texas offensive line was more productive than Oklahoma’s unit in total yardage, but it did not consistently control the decisive situations.
Texas Defensive Line
| Defensive lineman | Tackles | TFL | Sacks | Forced fumbles | QB hurries |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Colin Simmons | 4 | 3.0 | 2.0 | 1 | 0 |
| Maraad Watson | 5 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 0 | 0 |
| Hero Kanu | 5 | 0.5 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Lance Jackson | 3 | 0.5 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Colton Vasek | 2 | 1.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Ian Geffrard | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Alex January | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Zina Umeozulu | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Richard Wesley | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
Texas Defensive-Line Totals
- 24 combined tackles
- 6 tackles for loss
- 3 sacks for 19 yards
- 1 forced fumble
- 2 quarterback hurries
Texas’ defensive line produced one of the game’s strongest collective performances. The Longhorns’ front accumulated 24 combined tackles, six tackles for loss and three sacks.
Maraad Watson and Hero Kanu led the Texas defensive linemen with five tackles apiece. Watson added one sack and one tackle for loss, while Kanu consistently contributed to the interior run defense.
Lance Jackson recorded three tackles, half a tackle for loss and one quarterback hurry. Colton Vasek added a tackle for loss, while Richard Wesley registered an additional hurry.
SUFRB Big Boy of the Game: Colin Simmons
Texas defensive lineman Colin Simmons is the Starts Up Front Big Boy of the Game.
Simmons finished with:
-
- 4 tackles
- 3 tackles for loss
- 2 sacks
- 1 forced fumble
Simmons personally accounted for two-thirds of Texas’ sacks and half of the defensive line’s tackles for loss. His two sacks repeatedly placed Oklahoma behind schedule, and his forced fumble created an opportunity for a momentum-changing turnover.
Although Texas did not win the game, Simmons produced the most statistically dominant individual trench performance. His explosiveness, backfield production and ability to affect both the quarterback and running game separated him from every other lineman in the contest.
Starts Up Front Final Assessment
This game demonstrated why football must be evaluated beyond total yardage.
Texas’ offensive line protected 260 passing yards and helped produce 122 rushing yards, while its defensive front overwhelmed Oklahoma with six tackles for loss and three sacks. Oklahoma’s offensive line struggled statistically, but recovered a critical fumble and created movement for a fourth-quarter short-yardage touchdown.
Oklahoma’s defensive line did not match Texas’ overall production, but it generated two sacks and produced the game-changing blocked punt through Danny Okoye.
Texas won several statistical battles in the trenches. Oklahoma won the scoreboard battle by making the most consequential plays at the most important moments.
That is why the film, the circumstances and the timing of each play must always accompany the statistics.
The trenches do not lie.
It All Starts Up Front.
Starts Up Front National & Global Recruiting Board
The National Authority for Offensive and Defensive Linemen
