Completed Event: Football versus New Mexico on September 19, 2026 , Win , 14, to, 6
Final
Football
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University of Oklahoma Athletics
October 26, 2026 | Football
NORMAN — University of Oklahoma linebacker Owen Heinecke was named the SEC Defensive Player of the Week after he recorded 10 tackles and forced a fumble in OU's 23-15 road win at Mississippi State on Saturday, the conference office announced Monday.
Heinecke's 10 tackles, which included 2.0 for loss and a sack, tied for the game high and were the most by a Sooner in a contest this season. It was his third career contest with double-digit tackles. His forced fumble came on a second-quarter play at the OU 4-yard line and was recovered by defensive lineman Taylor Wein. The Sooners turned that takeaway into a 96-yard touchdown drive and a 10-0 halftime lead.
A Tulsa, Okla., product who is in his fifth year at OU, Heinecke has led the Sooners or tied for the team lead in tackles in six of seven games this season. He leads the Sooners with 6.5 tackles for loss and four QB hurries this season, and has 2.0 sacks. All of his 18.5 career TFLs and 5.0 career sacks have come in the last two seasons.
This is Heinecke's second career SEC weekly award. He was also named SEC Defensive Player of the Week on Nov. 3 last season after OU's win at Tennessee.
This is OU's fifth SEC weekly award this season. Fifth-year wide receiver Isaiah Sategna III was named SEC Special Teams Player of the Week on Sept. 7, senior Peyton Bowen was named SEC Defensive Player of the Week on Oct. 12, fifth-year kicker Tate Sandel was named SEC Special Teams Player of the Week on Oct. 12 and freshman Jake Kreul was named SEC Freshman of the Week on Oct. 19.
Oklahoma (4-3, 2-2 SEC) hosts South Carolina (4-3, 2-3 SEC) on Saturday at Gaylord Family – Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. The homecoming game is set to kick off at 3:15 p.m. CT on SEC Network.
Heinecke's 10 tackles, which included 2.0 for loss and a sack, tied for the game high and were the most by a Sooner in a contest this season. It was his third career contest with double-digit tackles. His forced fumble came on a second-quarter play at the OU 4-yard line and was recovered by defensive lineman Taylor Wein. The Sooners turned that takeaway into a 96-yard touchdown drive and a 10-0 halftime lead.
A Tulsa, Okla., product who is in his fifth year at OU, Heinecke has led the Sooners or tied for the team lead in tackles in six of seven games this season. He leads the Sooners with 6.5 tackles for loss and four QB hurries this season, and has 2.0 sacks. All of his 18.5 career TFLs and 5.0 career sacks have come in the last two seasons.
This is Heinecke's second career SEC weekly award. He was also named SEC Defensive Player of the Week on Nov. 3 last season after OU's win at Tennessee.
This is OU's fifth SEC weekly award this season. Fifth-year wide receiver Isaiah Sategna III was named SEC Special Teams Player of the Week on Sept. 7, senior Peyton Bowen was named SEC Defensive Player of the Week on Oct. 12, fifth-year kicker Tate Sandel was named SEC Special Teams Player of the Week on Oct. 12 and freshman Jake Kreul was named SEC Freshman of the Week on Oct. 19.
Oklahoma (4-3, 2-2 SEC) hosts South Carolina (4-3, 2-3 SEC) on Saturday at Gaylord Family – Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. The homecoming game is set to kick off at 3:15 p.m. CT on SEC Network.
Players Mentioned
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/ FootballSunday, October 25
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