OU Didn't Know?

NEW ORLEANS — The margin was thin, the stakes enormous, and the margin for error nonexistent. Yet when the night ended inside the Superdome, it was still Oklahoma standing.

The No. 1-seeded, undefeated Sooners punched their ticket to the College Football Playoff semifinals with a hard-fought 28–21 win over Ohio State in the Sugar Bowl, a game defined less by explosive offense and more by timing, toughness, and a pair of decisive special-teams moments that tilted everything crimson.

“This wasn’t about style points,” head coach Lovie Mahawg said afterward. “This was about surviving a heavyweight fight. And if you’re going to win games like this, you better be willing to win them in the margins.”

From the opening kickoff, Ohio State made it clear the Buckeyes weren’t intimidated by Oklahoma’s perfect record. They traded blows all night, matching the Sooners score for score through much of the game. Oklahoma answered every challenge, but separation was elusive.

The first crack came in the second quarter.

With the Buckeyes driving and threatening to grab momentum, Oklahoma’s field goal block unit broke through and swatted away an Ohio State attempt — a play that not only erased points, but jolted the tone of the game.

“That block was huge,” Mahawg said. “You could feel it on the sideline. Special teams is about belief — belief that one play can flip the whole thing. Our guys believed.”

Offensively, Oklahoma stayed balanced. Taylor Tatum carried the load on the ground, grinding out tough yards and finishing with 116 rushing yards and a touchdown on 17 carries, while also adding a score through the air. Braylen Russell complemented him with 79 rushing yards and two touchdowns, repeatedly finishing runs forward and wearing down the Buckeye defense.

Quarterback Jake Wakefield was efficient rather than flashy, completing 17 of 21 passes for 192 yards. He threw one touchdown, absorbed pressure, and managed the game when Oklahoma needed calm instead of chaos.

“Jake didn’t try to be Superman,” Mahawg said. “He played quarterback. There’s a difference.”

Ohio State landed its biggest punch in the third quarter on an 83-yard touchdown strike that briefly swung momentum and tied the game. But once again, special teams intervened.

On the ensuing Oklahoma possession, a muffed punt by Ohio State could have flipped the field. Instead, the Sooners recovered it at the Buckeye 15-yard line, keeping the drive alive and setting up another Oklahoma touchdown.

“That play doesn’t show up as a stat for us,” Mahawg said, “but it shows up on the scoreboard. Awareness. Hustle. That’s championship football.”

Defensively, Oklahoma bent but did not break. James Nesta led the charge with 10 total tackles and three tackles for loss, flying sideline to sideline and consistently disrupting Ohio State’s rhythm. The secondary came up with two interceptions, and the Sooners repeatedly stiffened in critical moments, forcing Ohio State to earn every yard.

“They made us uncomfortable,” Mahawg said. “Not perfect — but physical, disciplined, and connected. That’s all I ask.”

By the fourth quarter, Oklahoma finally created breathing room, answering Ohio State’s last touchdown with a clock-draining drive capped by Braylen Russell’s late score. From there, the Sooners closed the door.

The win moves Oklahoma to 14–0 and sets up a highly anticipated semifinal showdown in the Orange Bowl — a rematch with Georgia and head coach Tug Mahawg, Lovie’s younger brother, renewing a family rivalry on the sport’s biggest stage.

“You don’t script this stuff,” Mahawg said, cracking a rare smile. “My brother, his Bulldogs, our Sooners — again. We’ll enjoy this one for about 24 hours, then it’s back to work. Because the goal isn’t getting here. The goal is finishing it.”

One more game closer.
One more test passed.
And for Oklahoma, the belief that this season still has unfinished business written all over it.