NORMAN, Okla. — In an impressive display, Xavier Robinson rushed for personal bests of 107 yards and scored two touchdowns, leading Oklahoma to a surprising 24-3 victory over No. 7 Alabama on Saturday night. This win not only secured bowl eligibility for the Sooners but also significantly impaired the Crimson Tide’s chances of making it to the College Football Playoff.
Quarterback Jackson Arnold also contributed significantly, running for 131 yards on 25 carries, while completing 9 out of 11 passing attempts for the Sooners (6-5, 2-5 SEC). The victory marked the first home win for Oklahoma in the Southeastern Conference since transitioning from the Big 12 earlier this summer. Coach Brent Venables, who faced pressure this season, got a much-needed win on Senior Night.
As the game concluded, ecstatic Sooners fans made their way onto the field with 28 seconds remaining, causing both goalposts to be taken down. Following the clearance of the field, Oklahoma knelt down to officially end the match, and jubilant fans flooded back onto the field to revel in the team’s success.
For Alabama, Jalen Milroe, who has been a standout player throughout the season, encountered a rough outing, completing just 11 of 26 passes for 164 yards alongside three interceptions. He struggled on the ground, gaining only seven yards on 15 carries as Alabama (8-3, 4-3, ranked No. 7 in the CFP) was restricted to a mere 234 total yards.
In a pivotal moment, Robinson bolstered his team by scoring on an 18-yard touchdown run with just 37 seconds left in the second quarter, pushing Oklahoma ahead 10-3. This score held as the teams headed into halftime, with the Sooners outgaining the Crimson Tide 242 yards to 97 before the break.
By halftime, Milroe’s struggles were apparent as he completed only 2 of 7 passes for 62 yards and recorded nine carries for minus-2 yards. Oklahoma dominated the second quarter, outpacing Alabama in yardage, 118 to 15, while controlling the clock for over 11 minutes.
The game took a turn early in the second half when Oklahoma’s Eli Bowen intercepted Milroe on the third play and returned it 25 yards to the Alabama 14. This set up Robinson’s 1-yard touchdown run, extending Oklahoma’s lead to 17-3.
Not long after, linebacker Kip Lewis intercepted another pass from Milroe and returned it 49 yards for a touchdown, pushing the Sooners ahead 24-3 with 8:05 left in the third quarter.
The Takeaway from this matchup highlights Alabama’s inconsistent performance throughout the season and their inability to rise to the occasion on a night when they needed it most. They significantly struggled in both offensive and defensive lines. On the other hand, Oklahoma showcased what happens when they minimize mistakes. They began establishing a solid identity as a run-oriented team two weeks prior against Maine and maintained that approach against Alabama.
As a result of this loss to an unranked opponent, Alabama is expected to see a notable drop in rankings.
Looking ahead, Alabama is set to visit Auburn for their next matchup on Saturday, while Oklahoma will head to LSU the same day.