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Oklahoma had a chance to end a disappointing season on a high note with a Armed Forces Bowl victory over a solid Navy team. A quick 14-0 lead in the first quarter made that goal look like an inevitable reality.
Instead, the Midshipmen stuck around and secured a 21-20 to finish 10-3 and send the Sooners to 6-7.
The American @American_Conf
IT JUST MEANS MORE IN THE ARMED FORCES BOWL<br><br>NAVY WINS🐐🇺🇸<a href=”https://twitter.com/hashtag/AmericanWay?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>#AmericanWay</a> x <a href=”https://twitter.com/hashtag/AmericanFB?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>#AmericanFB</a> <a href=”https://t.co/kMsg2HqdGF”>pic.twitter.com/kMsg2HqdGF</a>
Oklahoma nearly made it 21-0 in the second quarter but a crucial fourth-down stop in the red zone by Navy gave the Midshipmen some momentum.
From their, Navy scored a touchdown in each of the remaining three quarters to take the lead while the defense held firm and limited the Sooners offense. Oklahoma would get a chance to tie it with a late touchdown but instead opted to go for two and failed to convert.
Navy quarterback Blake Horvath went 7-of-12 for 92 yards in the air and had 18 carries for 155 yards and two touchdowns on the ground, including a 95-yard rushing touchdown that set a program record. Running back Alex Tecza had 15 carries for 43 yards and a touchdown.
Oklahoma quarterback Michael Hawkins Jr. went 28-of-43 for 247 yards and two touchdown while also adding 17 carries for 61 yards on the ground. Running back Gavin Sawchuk had 13 carries for 67 yards and a touchdown while wide receiver Zion Kearney had two catches for 66 yards and a touchdown and tight end Jake Roberts had the other touchdown.
The flat effort caused Oklahoma to go below .500 for the second time in the last three seasons. Fans took to social media to blast head coach Will Venables for his coaching decisions, including the two-point decision, and debate his future with the program.
Brandon Quinlan @BQ_Sports
Brent Venables after 3 years as HC:<br>22-17 record<br>12-14 in conference play<br>4-7 against ranked teams<br>5-8 in 1-score games<br>0-3 in bowl games<br><br>3/4 recruited QB’s transferred away<br>Only 2 1st rd picks (both OT’s)<br><br>Like… what are we doing here? He’s basically Scott Frost at Nebraska
Oklahoma falls to 22-17 in the Venables era, but did have significant opt-outs from the game.
Still, the storied program’s first season in the SEC ended sour, and many will hope that new transfer quarterback John Mateer can bring the Sooners back to a strong place.