Gabriel, No. 12 Oklahoma bounce No. 3 Texas, 34-30

Gabriel, No. 12 Oklahoma bounce No. 3 Texas, 34-30

The Red River Rivalry game was a classic once again.

Dillion Gabriel’s 3-yard touchdown pass to Nic Anderson with 15 seconds left handed No. 12 Oklahoma a 34-30 win over No. 3 Texas on Saturday at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas.

The Sooners’ victory comes a year after they were embarrassed 49-0 by the Longhorns, who have national championship aspirations following a win at Alabama earlier this season. However, after Saturday, it’s Oklahoma (6-0, 3-0 Big 12) that remains unbeaten and has taken over sole possession of first place in the conference standings.

Quinn Ewers threw for 346 yards for Texas, but Oklahoma’s defense had him on the run all day. The Sooners sacked Ewers five times, intercepted him twice and recorded 10 tackles for loss.

Oklahoma led 27-17 early in the third quarter before Texas (5-1, 2-1) scored 13 straight points on two long Bert Auburn field goals and Jonathon Brooks’ 29-yard touchdown run to jump on top 30-27 with 1:17 to play. But Gabriel moved the Sooners 75 yards in just five plays for the winning score.

Gabriel completed three straight passes — including a 28-yarder to Drake Stoops — to put the Sooners in the red zone. After a pass-interference penalty moved the ball to the Texas 6, Gabriel ran for three yards, then hit a wide-open Anderson in the back corner of the end zone for the touchdown.

Texas got one last shot, and actually got to the Oklahoma 44 after two Ewers completions. But a Hail Mary attempt on the final play was batted down in the end zone by Lawrence Key.

Gabriel — a UCF transfer — completed 23 of 38 passes for 285 yards and a touchdown, and also rushed for 113 ayrds and another score on 14 carries. Tawee Walker added two rushing touchdowns for the Sooners, while Jalil Farooq caught five passes for 130 yards.

Ewers was 31-for-37 for 346 yards and a touchdown for the Longhorns, while Brooks ran for 129 yards and a score on 22 carries. Jordan Whittington (115 yards) and Xavier Worthy (108) both went over the century-mark receiving, and Kitan Crawford blocked a punt that Malik Muhammad recovered for a touchdown in the first quarter.