Completed Event: Football versus UTEP on September 4, 2026 , Win , 51, to, 0
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Football
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University of Oklahoma Athletics
Bowen, Sandell Earn SEC Weekly Awards
October 12, 2026 | Football
NORMAN — University of Oklahoma defensive back Peyton Bowen was named SEC Defensive Player of the Week and kicker Tate Sandell was named SEC Special Teams Player of the Week after leading the Sooners to a 27-24 win over No. 1 Texas on Saturday at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas, the conference office announced Monday.
Bowen gave Oklahoma its first lead of the game with his 42-yard interception return in the fourth quarter and Sandell kicked the game-winning 47-yard field goal as time expired. Their performances helped give the Sooners their first win against a No. 1-ranked team since 2007 and first over a No. 1-ranked opponent while unranked in the AP poll. It was also OU's first victory over Texas when the Longhorns were the AP No. 1 team.
Sandell's 47-yard field goal marked the second game-winning play as time expired in program history (the other was in 2021). The fifth-year senior from Port Neches, Texas, was 2 for 3 on field goal attempts in the game, also making one from 53 yards in the third quarter that pulled OU within 17-10 (his miss was from 53 yards on his first attempt of the game). The 53-yarder was his ninth field goal make of 50-plus yards in two seasons at Oklahoma and his first this season. The 2025 Lou Groza Award winner was also 3 for 3 on PAT attempts on Saturday and is 47 for 47 on PAT tries in two seasons at OU (12 for 12 this year).
Bowen's pick-six was his first interception of the season and gave the Sooners a 24-17 lead after trailing 17-7 at halftime. He picked off the pass at the back of the defense and weaved through the field, breaking through tacklers near the goal line to reach the end zone. The senior from Corinth, Texas, recorded a season-high seven tackles (six solo) in the game. The interception was the third of Bowen's career and first returned for a touchdown. All three of Bowen's interceptions have come in the last two seasons, and he has totaled 79 return yards.
This is Bowen's first career SEC weekly award and Sandell's fourth. OU players have won recognition from the SEC three times this season. Fifth-year wide receiver Isaiah Sategna III was named SEC Special Teams Player of the Week on Sept. 7.
Oklahoma (3-2, 1-1 SEC) plays No. 15/17 Kentucky (5-1, 3-1 SEC) on Saturday at Gaylord Family – Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Kickoff is set for 6:30 p.m. on SEC Network.
Bowen gave Oklahoma its first lead of the game with his 42-yard interception return in the fourth quarter and Sandell kicked the game-winning 47-yard field goal as time expired. Their performances helped give the Sooners their first win against a No. 1-ranked team since 2007 and first over a No. 1-ranked opponent while unranked in the AP poll. It was also OU's first victory over Texas when the Longhorns were the AP No. 1 team.
Sandell's 47-yard field goal marked the second game-winning play as time expired in program history (the other was in 2021). The fifth-year senior from Port Neches, Texas, was 2 for 3 on field goal attempts in the game, also making one from 53 yards in the third quarter that pulled OU within 17-10 (his miss was from 53 yards on his first attempt of the game). The 53-yarder was his ninth field goal make of 50-plus yards in two seasons at Oklahoma and his first this season. The 2025 Lou Groza Award winner was also 3 for 3 on PAT attempts on Saturday and is 47 for 47 on PAT tries in two seasons at OU (12 for 12 this year).
Bowen's pick-six was his first interception of the season and gave the Sooners a 24-17 lead after trailing 17-7 at halftime. He picked off the pass at the back of the defense and weaved through the field, breaking through tacklers near the goal line to reach the end zone. The senior from Corinth, Texas, recorded a season-high seven tackles (six solo) in the game. The interception was the third of Bowen's career and first returned for a touchdown. All three of Bowen's interceptions have come in the last two seasons, and he has totaled 79 return yards.
This is Bowen's first career SEC weekly award and Sandell's fourth. OU players have won recognition from the SEC three times this season. Fifth-year wide receiver Isaiah Sategna III was named SEC Special Teams Player of the Week on Sept. 7.
Oklahoma (3-2, 1-1 SEC) plays No. 15/17 Kentucky (5-1, 3-1 SEC) on Saturday at Gaylord Family – Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Kickoff is set for 6:30 p.m. on SEC Network.
Players Mentioned
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Saturday, October 10
Saturday, October 10
Saturday, October 10
