Completed Event: Football versus Auburn on September 20, 2025 , Win , 24, to, 17
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Football
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University of Oklahoma Athletics
Sandell, Thomas Named AFCA All-Americans
December 16, 2025 | Football
NORMAN — University of Oklahoma senior defensive lineman R Mason Thomas and redshirt junior kicker Tate Sandell were named to the American Football Coaches Association All-America Second Team, it was announced Tuesday.
Thomas was a Bednarik Award semifinalist, an All-SEC First Team selection by the coaches and a second-team selection by the league's media. He has registered 23 total tackles, including a team-high 6.5 sacks as well as 9.5 tackles for loss, in his nine games this season. He has also forced two fumbles and returned one fumble 71 yards for a touchdown at Tennessee. It was the longest fumble return in program history.
The Fort Lauderdale, Fla., product was named SEC Defensive Lineman of the Week on Sept. 22 after recording four tackles, including 2.0 sacks and a safety, in the second half of OU's win over Auburn. One of his forced fumbles, which came against Kent State, was also returned seven yards for a touchdown by defensive lineman Gracen Halton. In 41 career games (19 starts), Thomas has compiled 61 total tackles, including 25.5 for loss and 17.0 sacks, 16 QB hurries, four forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries and three pass breakups.
Sandell, who is the 2025 Lou Groza Award winner, was also a second-team All-America selection by the Walter Camp Foundation and the Associated Press. The SEC Special Teams Player of the Year and All-SEC First Team selection by the league's coaches and media, Sandell is 23 of 24 on field goal tries this season and has made each of his last 23, setting a school and single-season SEC record. He is 7 for 7 on field goals of 50-plus yards (one shy of the 43-year-old FBS single-season record of eight; only one other player has made as many as five this season) and 10 for 10 on field goals of 45-plus yards. His four makes of 55-plus yards are a school career record and the most nationally this season (the next most is two). His 96% field goal rate leads the SEC and ranks second nationally, and he has made all 32 of his PAT attempts.
The Port Neches, Texas, product has made a nation-leading and OU-single-season-record 15 field goals of 40-plus yards, breaking the previous program standard of nine. He tied a school-single-game record at Tennessee with his four field goals (55, 51, 40, 55 yards) and matched the Neyland Stadium record for longest field goal (55 yards; twice). He became the first FBS kicker since 2021 to make three 50-plus-yard field goals in a game (tied the FBS record) and the first FBS kicker since 2011 to make two 55-plus-yard field goals in a road game. In all, he has set or tied eight career or single-season school, conference, FBS or stadium records this season. Sandell also leads the country with his average-make distance of 41.8 yards (min. 15 conversions).
The No. 8 Sooners (10-2, 6-2 SEC) will host No. 9 Alabama (10-3, 7-1 SEC) in the College Football Playoff First Round on Friday, Dec. 19, at Gaylord Family – Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. CT on ABC and ESPN.
Thomas was a Bednarik Award semifinalist, an All-SEC First Team selection by the coaches and a second-team selection by the league's media. He has registered 23 total tackles, including a team-high 6.5 sacks as well as 9.5 tackles for loss, in his nine games this season. He has also forced two fumbles and returned one fumble 71 yards for a touchdown at Tennessee. It was the longest fumble return in program history.
The Fort Lauderdale, Fla., product was named SEC Defensive Lineman of the Week on Sept. 22 after recording four tackles, including 2.0 sacks and a safety, in the second half of OU's win over Auburn. One of his forced fumbles, which came against Kent State, was also returned seven yards for a touchdown by defensive lineman Gracen Halton. In 41 career games (19 starts), Thomas has compiled 61 total tackles, including 25.5 for loss and 17.0 sacks, 16 QB hurries, four forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries and three pass breakups.
Sandell, who is the 2025 Lou Groza Award winner, was also a second-team All-America selection by the Walter Camp Foundation and the Associated Press. The SEC Special Teams Player of the Year and All-SEC First Team selection by the league's coaches and media, Sandell is 23 of 24 on field goal tries this season and has made each of his last 23, setting a school and single-season SEC record. He is 7 for 7 on field goals of 50-plus yards (one shy of the 43-year-old FBS single-season record of eight; only one other player has made as many as five this season) and 10 for 10 on field goals of 45-plus yards. His four makes of 55-plus yards are a school career record and the most nationally this season (the next most is two). His 96% field goal rate leads the SEC and ranks second nationally, and he has made all 32 of his PAT attempts.
The Port Neches, Texas, product has made a nation-leading and OU-single-season-record 15 field goals of 40-plus yards, breaking the previous program standard of nine. He tied a school-single-game record at Tennessee with his four field goals (55, 51, 40, 55 yards) and matched the Neyland Stadium record for longest field goal (55 yards; twice). He became the first FBS kicker since 2021 to make three 50-plus-yard field goals in a game (tied the FBS record) and the first FBS kicker since 2011 to make two 55-plus-yard field goals in a road game. In all, he has set or tied eight career or single-season school, conference, FBS or stadium records this season. Sandell also leads the country with his average-make distance of 41.8 yards (min. 15 conversions).
The No. 8 Sooners (10-2, 6-2 SEC) will host No. 9 Alabama (10-3, 7-1 SEC) in the College Football Playoff First Round on Friday, Dec. 19, at Gaylord Family – Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. CT on ABC and ESPN.
Players Mentioned
Jayden Jackson Media Availability - 12/15/25
Monday, December 15
John Mateer Media Availability - 12/15/25
Monday, December 15
Ben Arbuckle Media Availability - 12/15/25
Monday, December 15
Brent Venables Media Availability - 12/15/25
Monday, December 15
