OU defeated Mississippi State 23-15 in Starkville on Saturday.
OU (4-3) started out slow against Mississippi State (4-3) but finished with its most offensive points since the season opener against UTEP. With the win, the Sooners bounced back from their loss to No. 12 Kentucky (6-1).
"It was gutty ... but glad to get the win," head coach Brent Venables said on the broadcast after the game.
Here are takeaways:
Sategna shines
Fifth-year wide receiver Isaiah Sategna had a career high with over 150 passing yards.
Sategna made multiple pivotal plays.
He dodged defenders to complete a 36-yard touchdown in the second quarter; the play marked the Sooners’ first touchdown of the game. With both offenses struggling for most of the first half, OU was set to go into halftime with a 3-0 lead until Sategna expanded the lead after a scrambling throw from fifth-year quarterback John Mateer.
Sategna also found himself wide open for a 54-yard reception after losing his defender. The play set up the Sooners to score a field goal to extend the lead to 20-7 near the end of the third quarter. His play could have led to a touchdown, but sixth-year tight end Rocky Beers dropped a pass in the end zone.
Sategna continues to shine as Mateer’s No. 1 option.
Masterful 3rd quarter from Mateer
Mateer led OU to a strong third quarter after the Sooners lacked explosive plays for most of the first half.
He had 126 passing yards in the third quarter alone, with highlight plays to Sategna and Beers.
Mateer found Sategna for his 54-yard reception, and he connected with Beers for a touchdown on the first drive of the third quarter. Mateer led OU on a 75-yard scoring drive to start the third after a 96-yard scoring drive to end the second.
Mateer’s bright third quarter came after only 88 passing yards in the first half, which included a 36-yard touchdown on his final pass of the half.
Electric run game
The Sooners found much more success in the run game than they have all season.
OU recorded over 180 rushing yards despite averaging under 92.5 rushing yards going into the game.
Sophomore running back Tory Blaylock had the Sooners’ longest rush of the game, which also comes as the team’s longest run on the season. He exploded for a 47-yard rush in the first drive of the third quarter, eventually leading to Beers’ touchdown.
Blaylock had his best game of the season, surpassing 70 rushing yards. His previous highest rushing total in 2026 was 23 yards on the ground against Kentucky.
Avant also was prolific in the run game against Mississippi State. He recorded over 50 rushing yards, with his longest being for 19.
Despite struggling to run the ball through six games, the Sooners found success on the ground in a SEC road game.
OU 23, Mississippi State 15 (2:10 4Q): Freshman quarterback Parker Puckett connects with sophomore wide receiver Sanfrisco Magee for a touchdown.
OU 23, Mississippi State 7 (8:07 4Q): Fifth-year kicker Tate Sandell completes a 38-yard field goal.
Peyton Bowen pick: Senior defensive back Peyton Bowen intercepts the ball in the fourth quarter.
Third Sandell miss: Sandell misses a 41-yard field goal.
Sandell misses again: The 2025 Lou Groza Award winner misses from 45 yards out.
OU 20, Mississippi State 7 (3:33, 3Q): Fifth-year kicker Tate Sandell nails a 30-yard field goal.
OU 17, Mississippi State 7 (6:55, 3Q): Junior tight end Cam Sam West completes a pass to freshman wide receiver Camden Capeheart for a 18-yard touchdown.
Rocky Beers fumble: Sixth-year tight end Rocky Beers fumbles the ball while attempting to hurdle a defender.
OU 17, Mississippi State 0 (13:44, 3Q): Fifth-year quarterback John Mateer finds sixth-year tight end Rocky Beers for a 32-yard touchdown.
Tory Blaylock burst: Sophomore running back Tory Blaylock explodes for a 47-yard rush, the Sooners' longest run of the season.
OU 10, Mississippi State 0 (0:49, 2Q): Mateer connects with fifth-year wide receiver Isaiah Sategna for a 36-yard touchdown.
OU forces fumble: Senior defensive lineman Taylor Wein forces a fumble.
Sandell misses the mark: Sandell fails to convert on a 45-yard field goal to start the second quarter.
OU 3, Mississippi State (11:10, 1Q): Sandell completes a 42-yard field goal.
Mississippi State scoreless on 1st drive: Mississippi State punts it on fourth and four after sophomore quarterback Kamario Taylor completed a 11-yard pass on third and 15 on the previous play.
OU senior defensive lineman PJ Adebawore sacked Taylor on second down to put Mississippi State to third and 15.
Michael Fasusi set to play: Sophomore offensive lineman Michael Fasusi is set to return from injury. He had been sidelined with a shoulder injury since exiting the season opener against UTEP.
Read the full game day availability report here:
Sooners' Michael Fasusi is available to play against Mississippi State.
OU honoring Sean Hutton: The Sooners are wearing helmet stickers in support of hospitalized player Sean Hutton.
OU is honoring hospitalized player Sean Hutton with helmet stickers against Mississippi State.
Hutton was tended to at Wednesday’s practice by OU’s athletic training staff and transported to the hospital. He remains at the hospital. He is in stable condition.
