University of Oklahoma Athletics

Friday, December 19
Norman
7 p.m. CT

University of Oklahoma

10-3 , 6-2

24
vs
34

Alabama

11-3 , 7-1

1st
2nd
3rd
4th
F
Alabama
0
17
10
7
34
Oklahoma
10
7
0
7
24
OU vs. Alabama, lead

Sooners Season Ends in College Football Playoff

December 20, 2025 | Football

NORMAN — Oklahoma built an early 17-0 advantage, but Alabama outscored the Sooners 34-7 over the final two-and-a-half quarters to claim a 34-24 victory Friday night in the first round of the College Football Playoff at Gaylord Family – Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. 

The Sooners (10-3, 6-2 SEC) opened the game with scores on three of their first four possessions, highlighted by a John Mateer rushing touchdown, a 51-yard field goal from Tate Sandell and a second-quarter touchdown pass to Isaiah Sategna. Alabama (11-3, 7-1 SEC) responded with a late first-half surge to pull even at halftime before taking control in the second half. 

Mateer finished the night completing 26 passes for 307 yards and two touchdowns, while also adding a score on the ground. Deion Burks led the receiving corps with a season-high 107 yards, while Jer'Michael Carter and Javonnie Gibson added 46 and 41 receiving yards, respectively. 

Oklahoma briefly closed the gap in the fourth quarter behind a 37-yard touchdown reception from Burks on the Sooners' second play of the period, but Alabama answered on its ensuing drive to extend the margin and seal the outcome. 

Defensively, the Sooners were led by redshirt junior Owen Heinecke, who posted a game-high seven tackles along with a sack. Peyton Bowen added five stops and a pass breakup, while four different Sooners recorded a sack, as Heinecke, Kip Lewis, Taylor Wein and Marvin Jones Jr. all finished with tallies. 

Team Stats

ALA
OKL
Total Yards
260
362
Pass Yards
232
307
Rushing Yards
28
55
Penalty Yards
46
50
1st Downs
12
18
3rd Downs
2
7
4th Downs
1
1
TOP
26:52
33:08
1st Quarter
Logo

ALA 0, OKL 7

OKL - Mateer,John 8 yd run (Sandell,Tate kick), 8 plays, 59 yards, TOP 03:34

Logo

ALA 0, OKL 10

OKL - Sandell,Tate 51 yd field goal 6 plays, 13 yards, TOP 03:00

2nd Quarter
Logo

ALA 0, OKL 17

OKL - Sategna III,Isaiah 7 yd pass from Mateer,John (Sandell,Tate kick) 8 plays, 63 yards, TOP 03:57

Logo

ALA 7, OKL 17

ALA - Brooks,Lotzeir 10 yd pass from Simpson,Ty (Talty,Conor kick) 9 plays, 75 yards, TOP 03:59

Logo

ALA 10, OKL 17

ALA - Talty,Conor 35 yd field goal 5 plays, 13 yards, TOP 02:15

Logo

ALA 17, OKL 17

ALA - Brown,Zabien 50 yd interception (Talty,Conor kick)

3rd Quarter
Logo

ALA 24, OKL 17

ALA - Brooks,Lotzeir 30 yd pass from Simpson,Ty (Talty,Conor kick) 3 plays, 60 yards, TOP 00:58

Logo

ALA 27, OKL 17

ALA - Talty,Conor 40 yd field goal 9 plays, 40 yards, TOP 04:56

4th Quarter
Logo

ALA 27, OKL 24

OKL - Burks,Deion 37 yd pass from Mateer,John (Sandell,Tate kick) 8 plays, 75 yards, TOP 04:45

Logo

ALA 34, OKL 24

ALA - Hill,Daniel 6 yd run (Talty,Conor kick), 4 plays, 35 yards, TOP 01:56

Game Leaders

CMP
26
TD
2
YDS
307
INT
1

Players Mentioned

DB
/ Football
WR
/ Football
WR
/ Football
LB
/ Football
LB
/ Football
QB
/ Football
K
/ Football
DL
/ Football
Brent Venables Postgame vs Alabama
Friday, December 19
Ben Arbuckle Postgame vs Alabama
Friday, December 19
R Mason Thomas Postgame vs Alabama
Friday, December 19
John Mateer Postgame vs Alabama
Friday, December 19