Texas vs. Oklahoma score, takeaways: No. 1 Texas suffocates OU for one of largest wins in Red River history

Quinn Ewers uneven in his return

Ewers missed Texas' last two games with an oblique strain, clearing the way for everyone's favorite backup, Arch Manning, to get on the field as a redshirt freshman. There was no doubt Ewers would return as QB1 when healthy, but there's a bit of doubt about his production coming out of Saturday.The redshirt junior finished 20 for 29 passing with 199 yards, one touchdown and one interception, also rushing for a one-yard touchdown. 

There were some shaky moments to start, including an interception on his first throw of the day. Ewers did seem to find more of a rhythm as the game continued, but he missed several easy throws that cost Texas points.It didn't really matter much against an Oklahoma offense that never threatened to make it a competitive game. But the stakes are going to be much higher next week in Austin.Ewers left Ann Abor in Week 2 as the Heisman favorite. The Longhorns need to see more of that player moving forward.

Texas' new RB1 should be Tre Wisner

Texas has been looking for playmaking in the running game ever since starter CJ Baxter went out in the preseason. Finally, running back Tre Wisner stepped into a starring role and gave the Longhorns a legitimate threat on the ground with breakaway ability.
With two carries, Wisner turned the game on its head. The sophomore broke off a 33-yard run into the end zone before fumbling, but it was recovered by the Longhorns. One play later, Wisner broke off a 43-yard touchdown run.
On only 13 carries, Wisner cleared 118 yards and a touchdown and gave Texas far more elusiveness than Jaydon Blue, who only hit 30 yards on 10 carries. The Longhorns should lean on him heading forward.

Oklahoma's problems run deep

The Sooners made a major quarterback change, slotting true freshman Michael Hawkins Jr. into the lineup. But after the blowout loss to Texas, Oklahoma's problems are just getting started. OU allowed 11 tackles for loss and five sacks in the loss as the offensive line completely failed to handle the Texas rush. The running backs combined for 55 yards. No receivers created much of anything after the catch. Offensive coordinator Seth Littrell dialed up lots of motion and quarterback movement to try and give the offense a little life, but the pieces just aren't there for Oklahoma to compete in this league.

A TD run for Ewers after some trickeration

Midway 4Q: No. 1 Texas, 34, No. 18 Oklahoma 3

Texas turned Oklahoma on downs and took over at midfield. Coach Steve Sarkisian showed no mercy, dialing up a trick play with wideout Matthew Golden throwing an arm punt near the end zone, where it was somehow snared by tight end end Gunnar Helm (the ball should have been picked off). 

One play later, Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers ran in for a one-yard touchdown. Ewers was speared right in the stomach as he crossed the end zone, but popped up and showed plenty of emotion nonetheless. 

Texas is absolutely crusing. 

Longhorns cruising

End 3Q: No. 1 Texas 24, No. 18 Oklahoma 3

Texas has continued to sit on the game as Oklahoma has failed to get any offense going. The Sooners have only 139 yards for the game and reached fewer than 40 yards in the third quarter. Quarterback Michael Hawkins Jr. has 71 yards passing and 15 yards rushing, but Texas cleared 360 yards -- including 115 yards and a touchdown from running back Tre Wisner -- in three quarters. 

Bond out for game

Texas wide receiver Isaiah Bond will miss the rest of the game with an unidentifed injury, according to his agent. Bond went to the locker room early in the game, but his agent, Damien Butler, claims the injury was not significant. Texas has filled his role with an extra dose of freshman Ryan Wingo. 

Texas misses chance to extend lead

The Longhorns forced a punt for Oklahoma and moved down the field with ease to get deep into the red zone. However, Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers missed DeAndre Moore and Ryan Wingo on short passes for a turnover on downs at the 10-yard line. Oklahoma has a rare chance to capitalize, but the offense has to get out of its own way. 

Wisner keys Texas run

HALF: No. 1 Texas 21, No. 18 Oklahoma 3

No. 1 Texas is pulling away from rival No. 18 Oklahoma at halftime at the Red River Rivalry in Dallas, Texas. Backup running back Tre Wisner broke off two key runs to help give the Longhorns the massive lead, including a 43-yard breakaway just inside the two-minute timeout. 

The Longhorns got off to a slow start, going three-and-out on their first three possessions, including an interception from quarterback Quinn Ewers on the third play of the game. Ewers looked rusty, throwing for only 13 yards on six pass attempts in the first quarter. However, explosive plays from Wisner, receiver Ryan Wingo and tight end Gunner Helm helped Texas claw back and build a lead. 

Oklahoma quarterback Michael Hawkins Jr. has tried his best to carry the Sooners offense, but OU is just overmatched. The first true freshman to ever start at quarterback for Oklahoma in the Red River Rivalry threw for 51 yards and rushed for 19 yards, but no other offensive player has more than 17 total yards. 

Late in the quarter, Oklahoma began to unrival. Hawkins fumbled the ball on the first play inside the two-minute timeout and Wisner turned it into a touchdown one play later. On the very next Oklahoma offensive play, Hawkins fumbled again. The Sooners were lucky that Texas kicker Bert Auburn missed a 43-yard field goal, but Oklahoma still has a major deficit to overcome. 

Texas WR Bond taken to locker room 

Texas wide receiver Isaiah Bond was taken to the locker room with an apparent leg injury. Bond was slow to get off the field following an incompletion from quarterback Quinn Ewers midway through the second quarter. He initially limped around on Texas' sideline before entering the injury tent. Bond was able to walk to the locker room without any assistance, though he did have a team trainer by his side. 

Danger zone

2Q: No. 1 Texas 21, No. 18 Oklahoma 3

After playing well for so long, Oklahoma is starting to unravel. On the first play after the two-minute timeout, Sooners quarterback Michael Hawkins Jr. fumbled the ball and it was recovered by Texas. On the very next play, Tre Wisner took the carry and went 43 yards for a touchdown to give Texas a 21-3 lead. With Oklahoma's offensive issues, it feels wildly unlikely that the Sooners will be able to come back. 

Five-star shows up

2Q: No. 1 Texas 14, No. 18 Oklahoma 3

Texas has an impressive compliment of playmakers, but five-star freshman Ryan Wingo and sophomore Tre Wisner combined to shred the Oklahoma defense in only two plays. Wingo caught a slant and flipped the field for a 44-yard gain through traffic. One play later, Wisner read the defense well and followed his blockers to a 35-yard almost-touchdown, before fumbling into the end zone. Luckily for him, Silas Bolden jumped on the ball for the touchdown and Texas took a 14-3 lead late in the second quarter. 

Texas gets offense going

2Q: No. 1 Texas 7, No. 18 Oklahoma 3

On its most recent drive, Texas showed why it's one of the toughest programs in the country to defend. Steve Sarkisian kept things easy, mixing in screen passes and running game before setting up a tight 26-yard pass from Quinn Ewers to DeAndre Moore Jr. to get into Oklahoma territory. A single whiffed tackle by Lewis Carter on Gunner Helm ultimately led to a red zone trip and touchdown, also to Helm. In less than four minutes and essentially two plays, Texas wiped out an entire quarter's worth of defensive performance. 

Oklahoma on top early

End 1Q: No. 18 Oklahoma 3, No. 1 Texas 0

No. 18 Oklahoma has jumped out to an early 3-0 lead against No. 1 Texas as Sooners kicker Tyler Keltner nailed a 42-yard field goal at the end of the first quarter in Dallas. The Sooners' defense has dominanted the performance, holding Texas to only 13 yards on 10 plays and picking off Longhorns quarterback Quinn Ewers on his first drive. Texas has three straight three-and-outs to start the game and the Longhorns have only 3 yards rushing from running backs against a stout Oklahoma defense. The Sooners have put a lot on the arm of quarterback Michael Hawkins Jr., but he has twice navigated OU into field goal range and has played well against the aggressive Texas defense. 

Defensive struggle

Both Texas and Oklahoma's defenses are rising to the occasion in the Cotton Bowl. Oklahoma got a sack on Texas' first drive and forced an interception to Billy Bowman. Texas finally got its first big defensive play on the most recent drive after former Austin Westlake star Michael Taaffe got home to Hawkins on a safety blitz. This is the game script that Oklahoma would want, but neither team has been able to take advantage. 

Oklahoma fails to capitalize

The Sooners took advantage of a dream start after starting at the Texas 45-yard line. While quarterback Michael Hawkins Jr. showed some wiggle and offensive coordinator Seth Littrell displayed some creativity to get guys open, the offense stalled at the 27-yard line. Kicker Tyler Keltner whiffed on a makeable 44-yard field goal and Texas now quickly gets the ball back. The Sooners can't afford to waste opportunities against a top-ranked opponent, but Oklahoma's confidence at least sends the right message. 

Nightmare start for Texas

Texas' opening drive went about as poorly as humanly possible as its first showing as the No. 1 team in the country. Quarterback Quinn Ewers was sacked by Ethan Downs on the first place and threw an interception on his third on a tipped pass, giving Oklahoma the ball with great field position and a chance to take an early lead. Ewers similarly threw a pick the first drive last year and Oklahoma turned it into an upset. 

Texas gets first crack

Oklahoma is kicking off the ball to Texas, which hopes to get off to a quick start and set the tone in the heated rivalry game. When these teams played last year, quarterback Quinn Ewers threw an interception on his first drive. Now, Ewers is returning from an injury for the first time since Week 3. He will quickly have to prove he's not rusty. 

Major injury issues

Oklahoma has been decimated by injuries, and the wide receiver room has been comically impacted. The Sooners' top five wide receivers are all out for the game, leaving only one wide receiver on the roster with 100 yards receiving heading into the rivalry game, Brenen Thompson. The injuries make the job even more difficult for quarterback Michael Hawkins Jr., who is the first true freshman to ever start for Oklahoma in the Red River Rivalry. Making matters worse, Texas ranks No. 2 nationally in passing defense. 

Turning back the clock?

Texas enters the weekend as a 14.5-point favorite, one of the biggest spreads in this game in modern history. The last time the Longhorns had a two-touchdown advantage heading into the game was the 2005 season, when Texas went on to win the national championship. 

Texas vs. Oklahoma: Longhorns have chance to party like it's 2005 with statement win in Red River Rivalry

Shehan Jeyarajah

Historic rivalry

Texas and Oklahoma are two of the great programs in college football history and have played each other more than any other opponents. In 119 matchups dating back to 1900, the Longhorns hold a 63-51-5 advantage all time. But since 2000, Oklahoma has taken control. The Sooners have a dominant 17-8 record over the stretch and have won seven of the last nine games.