OU Didn't Know?

Norman, OK – On a cool, sunlit afternoon in Norman, Bedlam arrived carrying all the usual noise, nerves, and baggage—and left with Oklahoma State carrying a loss and Oklahoma standing exactly where it expects to be: undefeated, No. 1, and still in control of everything that matters.

Senior Day belonged to Taylor Tatum, and the Sooners made sure it stayed that way.

Oklahoma closed the regular season with a 40–7 win over No. 8 Oklahoma State, a game that was tighter early than the final score suggests but never truly felt out of hand. The Sooners absorbed the Cowboys’ opening punch, settled themselves, and then methodically took the game apart on both sides of the ball.

Afterward, Coach Lovie Mahawg stood at the podium, arms crossed, voice calm.

“Rivalry games are emotional if you let them be,” Mahawg said. “We don’t let games drive us. We drive the game.”

A Steady Start, Then Control

Bedlam opened with both teams trading first-quarter touchdowns, Oklahoma State briefly injecting belief into the contest. Oklahoma responded immediately, leaning on Tatum and a short-field mindset that emphasized precision over fireworks.

“Tight games early don’t bother me,” Mahawg said. “I want to see who can breathe, who can think, and who can execute when the crowd’s loud and the moment’s hot.”

That composure showed. Jake Wakefield operated efficiently, spreading the ball and taking what the defense allowed. Oklahoma didn’t chase big plays; they stacked drives, forced Oklahoma State to defend every blade of grass, and trusted the math.

By halftime, Oklahoma had built a working margin, even with a missed kick keeping the door slightly cracked. It was the last time Oklahoma State would feel remotely close.

Taylor Tatum’s Day

If this was Taylor Tatum’s final regular-season game in Norman, it was exactly the kind of afternoon that cements a legacy. He ran with patience early, violence late, and authority throughout. His impact extended beyond rushing lanes—he flipped the game with a punt return touchdown that detonated the stadium and erased any lingering Cowboy momentum.

“Taylor’s not fast because he’s quick,” Mahawg said. “He’s fast because he sees it before anyone else does.”

Tatum finished the day with rushing touchdowns, a punt return score, and constant pressure on Oklahoma State’s defensive structure. Every touch felt purposeful.

“He’s been the spine of this team,” Mahawg added. “You don’t replace guys like that. You honor them by playing the right way.”

Defense Slams the Door

If the offense applied pressure, the defense applied suffocation.

After Oklahoma State’s opening touchdown drive, the Cowboys managed nothing meaningful. The Sooners consistently won first down, collapsed the pocket, and erased rushing lanes. Tackles for loss piled up, coverage tightened, and the Cowboys were reduced to field-position football they couldn’t win.

Mahawg didn’t hesitate to credit his defense.

“That’s grown-man defense,” he said. “No panic. No freelancing. Just eleven guys doing their job until the other team runs out of answers.”

The Cowboys crossed midfield sparingly and never threatened again. By the fourth quarter, the result was academic.

Finishing Like No. 1

Oklahoma closed the game the way championship teams do—by extending the margin and removing doubt. Late touchdown passes and disciplined clock management pushed the score to 40–7, a final that reflected control more than chaos.

“This wasn’t about embarrassing anyone,” Mahawg said. “It was about finishing. You don’t drift into December playing loose football.”

With the regular season complete, Oklahoma enters postseason play undefeated, battle-tested, and very much aware of the stakes ahead. The Bedlam chapter is closed—for now—and the Sooners turn their eyes forward.

Mahawg left one final thought before stepping away.

“People love talking about what’s coming next,” he said. “I love talking about how you earn the right to get there. Today, we earned it.”

Senior Day ended the right way. Bedlam ended the right way. And Oklahoma, once again, looks exactly like a team built for what comes next.