In the highly anticipated Week 7 matchup of the Red River Rivalry, No. 1 Texas made a statement in their first clash with Oklahoma as SEC members, overpowering the No. 18 Sooners 34-3. The Longhorns’ quarterback Quinn Ewers returned to the field in style, guiding Texas to a decisive victory after being sidelined for four weeks with an abdomen strain.
Ewers, who was hurt in the second half of the Longhorns’ win on September 14, made up for lost time against the Sooners. Despite a rocky start—taking a sack on the game’s opening play and throwing an interception on his first pass—he found his footing and finished the game 20-of-29 passing for 199 yards. He delivered a crucial 7-yard touchdown pass to tight end Gunnar Helm early in the second quarter, which put Texas ahead 7-3 after trailing for the first time this season. Ewers also contributed with his legs, adding a rushing touchdown as the Longhorns built momentum.
The Longhorns‘ offense was further boosted by running back Quintrevion Wisner, who rushed for 118 yards and a touchdown. A pivotal moment came just before halftime when Wisner fumbled near the goal line after a long run, but teammate Silas Bolden recovered it in the end zone for a touchdown, giving Texas a commanding 21-3 lead heading into the locker room. These scores were part of a 21-point surge that effectively put the game out of Oklahoma’s reach.
The Texas defense dominated, holding Oklahoma to just a field goal. The Sooners, now 4-2 on the season (1-2 in SEC play), struggled to find any rhythm against a relentless Longhorns’ front. The victory marks another emphatic chapter for Ewers, echoing his breakout Red River performance two years ago, when he led Texas to a rare shutout win after missing several games due to injury.
This year’s Red River Rivalry game, the 120th meeting in a storied series that dates back to 1900, was the first contested under the SEC banner. The annual showdown, traditionally held during the State Fair of Texas in Dallas since 1929, gained an extra layer of intrigue with the new conference backdrop. While Oklahoma had won five of the last six meetings during their Big 12 tenure, Texas improved its all-time series lead to 64-51-5 with this latest win.
The Longhorns, now 6-0 overall and 2-0 in SEC play, have proven their mettle in the early part of the season, but a critical test lies ahead. They are set to face No. 5 Georgia in a high-stakes matchup that could define their path to the College Football Playoff.
For Texas, this resounding win against Oklahoma reaffirms their status as a national contender and a force to be reckoned with in the SEC. With Ewers back at the helm, the Longhorns have their sights set on bigger goals as they continue their journey through the 2024 season.
