Oklahoma quarterback John Mateer and the Sooner defense left no doubt Saturday, as OU rebounded from last week’s loss to Texas with a statement 26-7 victory over South Carolina at Williams-Brice Stadium. Mateer threw for 150 yards and a touchdown while the Sooner defense sacked Gamecocks quarterback LaNorris Sellers six times, grabbed two interceptions, and even added a safety to seal a dominant night.
Oklahoma (6-1, 2-1 SEC) looked every bit like a contender again, showcasing a mistake-free offense and a defense that continues to live up to its billing as one of the best in the nation. South Carolina (3-4, 1-4) simply couldn’t find room to breathe.
Mateer led two impressive touchdown marches, drives of 75 and 92 yards, including a gritty stand on fourth-andgoal from the Oklahoma 5 to preserve a 14-0 advantage early. The Sooners set the tone with physicality and patience, chipping away at the Gamecock defense until it broke.
Tory Blaylock got the scoring started with a bruising 18-yard touchdown run, and Xavier Robinson powered through tacklers on a 10-yard rush to double the lead. The Sooners’ offensive line, muchmaligned after the Texas loss, responded with its best performance of the season, protecting Mateer and opening wide lanes for Blaylock’s 101yard rushing day.
That discipline paid off again in the second half. Leading the nation in yards allowed per game (193), the Sooners continued to smother South Carolina. Defensive end Taylor Wein made one of the night’s biggest plays, sniffing out a fake punt by the Gamecocks’ Mason Love and intercepting it to flip field position. Just five plays later, Mateer connected with Isaiah Sategna III for a 20-yard touchdown, stretching the lead to 24-7.
Venables, who went 4-1 at Williams-Brice Stadium as Clemson’s defensive coordinator, once again showed his knack for shutting down the Gamecocks. In his last three trips to Columbia, Venables’ defenses have surrendered an average of just 285 yards and four points per game and Saturday was more of the same.
Sellers, considered a future NFL first-round pick, never found a rhythm against Oklahoma’s relentless front. He finished with 124 passing yards and was under duress on nearly every dropback. The exclamation point came late in the fourth when defensive tackle Markus Strong bulldozed through the line to tackle Matt Fuller in the end zone for a safety.
Kicker Tate Sandell capped the night by drilling a career-long 55-yard field goal, tying his personal best and igniting the Sooner faithful who made the trip east.
The Sooners now turn their attention to another SEC test, a home showdown against No. 5 Ole Miss, at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Kickoff is set for 11 a.m. Saturday on ABC, where Oklahoma hopes to keep its playoff hopes alive and its defense firing on all cylinders.
