The Red River Shootout between Oklahoma football and Texas is known for its high intensity and incredible firepower. 2021’s edition of this historic game was no different.
Oklahoma football’s start to this game could be considered nothing short of a nightmare for OU fans. This is how the first minute and 53 seconds of this game played out:
- 75-yard touchdown on the opening play from Casey Thompson to Xavier Worthy
- OU goes 3-and-out on the next possession capped off by a DeMarvion Overshown sack
- Blocked punt (by Overshown) to set up Texas at OU 2 yard line
- Bijan Robinson 2 yard rushing TD to put Texas up 14-0
The rest of the first half was not much better, as the Longhorns built up a 38-20 lead going into the locker room. Words can’t do the highlights from this half justice. We saw long runs, great throws, trick plays, and big turnovers.
Spencer Rattler was the driving force of these turnovers which led to him being benched for Caleb Williams.
This was the turning point of the game, as Oklahoma football was able to storm back in this game. After Rattler was benched, Oklahoma outscored Texas by a score of 35-13.
Led by Willams and a fantastic effort by Kennedy Brooks, Oklahoma was able to tie the game up at 41 midway through the fourth quarter. After both teams traded blows to leave it 48-48, Brooks capped off the comeback with an incredible 33-yard walk-off rushing touchdown.
This was the highest-scoring edition of a historic rivalry, and for my money will end up as the game of the year in 2021.
With yet another classic edition of the Red River Shootout in the books, what did we learn from these teams?
3. Caleb Williams and Kennedy Brooks provide spark to save Oklahoma’s season
Of course, the sexy outlook of this game will be that Caleb Williams led the charge to this amazing comeback. Williams was outstanding in his first true football game since 2019, as his high school team did not play in 2020. Williams finished the day with 300 total yards and three touchdowns while completing 64% of his passes.
As great as Williams was, the most valuable player of this game was Kennedy Brooks. Brooks finished with 217 yards on 25 carries and two touchdowns. Brooks was running free all day long and displayed great power and finish ability.
His touchdowns both came in the fourth quarter and were about as clutch as you can get. The first touchdown tied the game at 41, while the second one gave Oklahoma the win.
Brooks struggled to find his groove early in this season with the opt-out of last year and the emergence of Eric Gray. But, Brooks stepped up in a major way when Oklahoma football needed him the most.
Brooks being able to find his groove alongside the emergence of Caleb Williams could be the formula for Oklahoma to turn this season around and get back into playoff contention.
2. Texas offense electrifies in the first half, falters in the second half
This Texas offense got off to a fantastic start led by an efficient performance by Casey Thompson and another dominant game by Bijan Robinson. Thompson led the way with five passing touchdowns and displayed great ball placement on the majority of his throws.
Robinson was referred to by Kirk Herbstreit as “maybe the best player in the sport,” after his performance today. He finished with 137 rushing yards and 1 touchdown while averaging nearly 7 yards per carry.
For the third time in six games, Texas was able to put up 35+ points in one half of action. This fantastic first half was not enough to make up for a pedestrian second half.
The second half was about as sluggish as you can get for an offense who had all the momentum in the world. Here is how the Texas drives played out in the second half:
- Punt
- Field Goal
- Punt
- Punt
- Turnover on downs
- Touchdown
Thompson struggled to get back into the groove he was in to start, but that had a lot to do with the pressure Oklahoma’s defense was putting on him. Thompson was sacked three times and was hit a bunch more.
Credit to the Texas offense for finally waking up and scoring a touchdown to tie it up late. However, it was too little too late as you cannot expect to score 10 points against Oklahoma and maintain a comfortable lead.
1. The Spencer Rattler experience finally his the iceberg
Last year, Spencer Rattler was benched in this exact game. That was only for a few possessions, as Rattler would come back in that game and lead a great comeback.
Today, he was once again benched but this time for the rest of the game (with the exception of a major two-point conversion play).
It does not feel as if Rattler will be able to rebound from this benching, as Caleb Williams stepped up and had Oklahoma’s offense look like the same units from 2016-2019.
In this game, Rattler finished 8 for 15 with 111 yards, 0 TD’s, and 1 interception. Rattler continues his habit of always trying to make the big play. This type of attitude has lead to miscommunication, turnovers, and a less dynamic OU offense.
It remains to be seen if this is permanent, but it does look like Rattler grabbing back the starting job will be an uphill battle. A fall from grace from the man who was the Heisman favorite and considered to be one of the better QB prospects in the upcoming draft.