Lawrence, KS — No. 2 Oklahoma walked into Lawrence, handled business, and walked out with a 20–7 road win that looked exactly like what it was: a disciplined, defense-first performance that never let Kansas breathe.
The Sooners didn’t chase style points. They didn’t panic. They controlled the game from the opening quarter and closed it on their terms — the mark of a team that understands how to win away from home.
“Road games tell you who you really are,” head coach Lovie Mahawg said. “And I liked who we were tonight.”
Scoring Summary
First Quarter
- (OKLA) Taylor Tatum, 54-yard pass from Jake Wakefield (Liam Evans kick) — 1:52
Second Quarter
- (OKLA) Liam Evans, 36-yard field goal — 1:59
Third Quarter
- (OKLA) Braylen Russell, 1-yard run (Liam Evans kick) — 3:37
Fourth Quarter
- (KU) PJ Martin, 1-yard run (Enrique Key kick) — 5:15
- (OKLA) Liam Evans, 28-yard field goal — 0:03
Oklahoma led wire-to-wire and answered Kansas’ only score immediately by bleeding the clock and finishing the night with points.
“That last drive mattered,” Mahawg said. “That’s how you end road games.”
Team Stats
Oklahoma
- Total Yards: 406
- Passing: 19–35, 267 yards, 1 TD
- Rushing: 25 carries, 139 yards, 1 TD
- Time of Possession: 14:05
Kansas
- Total Yards: 235
- Passing: 19–39, 237 yards, 0 TDs, 2 INTs
- Rushing: 18 carries, -2 yards
- Time of Possession: 9:55
Kansas finished the night with negative rushing yards, a testament to Oklahoma’s control up front.
“When you take the run away on the road, you break their spirit,” Mahawg said. “That’s non-negotiable football.”
Offense: Efficient When It Mattered
Quarterback Jake Wakefield stayed composed in a hostile environment:
- 19 completions on 35 attempts
- 267 yards
- 1 TD, 1 INT
Wakefield’s biggest moment came early — a 54-yard strike to Taylor Tatum that set the tone.
“You don’t get quiet crowds on the road,” Mahawg said. “You earn them.”
Taylor Tatum
- 8 carries, 57 yards
- 5 receptions, 108 yards
- 1 total TD
Braylen Russell
- 15 carries, 87 yards
- 1 rushing TD
“We needed toughness,” Mahawg said. “Braylen brought it.”
Defense Owns the Night
This game belonged to the defense.
Kansas was held to:
- -2 rushing yards
- Two interceptions
- No explosive plays
The front dictated everything.
Defensive leaders included:
- David Stone: 3 tackles, 3 tackles for loss, 3 sacks
- Wyatt Gilmore: 2 tackles, 1 sack
- James Nesta: 4 tackles, consistent pressure
- Edward Garcia: 1 interception, 16 return yards
“That front traveled,” Mahawg said. “That’s championship behavior.”
Kansas’ lone touchdown came off a short field late, but Oklahoma never wavered.
“We didn’t flinch,” Mahawg said. “That matters.”
Mahawg’s Take
Mahawg was calm after the win — satisfied, but far from finished.
“This wasn’t about being pretty,” he said.
“This was about being professional.”
On road toughness:
“You win ugly away from home, you win big later.”
On the defense:
“They didn’t just stop Kansas — they erased options.”
And on the bigger picture:
“We’re learning how to close. That’s dangerous.”
What It Means
Oklahoma remains No. 2 nationally, stacks another road win, and continues to show it can win multiple ways — explosively or methodically.
“This team’s learning when to step on the throat,” Mahawg said.
“And when to just let the clock do the talking.”
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