# Oklahoma Sooners Lose to Kentucky

> Oklahoma's third loss in a row ends their SEC hopes after a critical fourth-quarter collapse.
- Title: Oklahoma Sooners Lose to Kentucky · Oklahoma Sooners On SI
- Summary: Oklahoma's third loss in a row ends their SEC hopes after a critical fourth-quarter collapse.
- Keywords: oklahoma, kentucky, seahawks, nfl, cotton bowl, college football, oklahoma sooneers, kentucky wildcats, john mateer, manny choice, jordan castell, kenny minchey
- Source: Oklahoma Sooners On SI — https://si.com/college/oklahoma/football/three-quick-takeaways-from-oklahoma-s-loss-to-no-15-kentucky-01m5693a2q87
- Published: 2026-10-18T02:42:23+00:00
- Read time: 2 min
- Topics: oklahoma, kentucky, seahawks, nfl, cotton bowl, college football, oklahoma sooneers, kentucky wildcats, john mateer, manny choice, jordan castell, kenny minchey
## Oklahoma's Good Vibe Ends
Oklahoma had a chance to pull off another late ranked victory but Kentucky had other ideas.
## Late Game Drama
The Sooners got the ball back down 14-13 with 2:43 remaining and three timeouts, an eternity compared to the 19 seconds they needed to upend Texas in the Cotton Bowl.
## John Mateer's Failure
Mateer failed to see the entire field or the Kentucky safety, his pass to Manny Choice was undercut by Jordan Castell who returned it 41 yards for a touchdown.
## Third Interception
Mateer threw his third interception and OU's fourth of the night, ending their hopes to dig out of an eight-point hole.
## Kentucky's Win
Kentucky won 21-13 with a wild ride under first-year head coach Will Stein continuing with a 21-13 victory over Brent Venables' Sooners.
## Oklahoma's Record
Oklahoma fell to 3-3 on the year and 1-2 in SEC play with the loss while Kentucky improved to 6-1 overall.
## Cute Proves Costly
Oklahoma's first drive stalled due to a flea-flicker that never came together and a fake field goal cost them crucial points.
## Fake Field Goal Blunder
Special teams coordinator Doug Deakin installed a fake field goal but the execution left much to be desired.
## Field Goal Fiasco
After Tate Sandell sprinted laterally from his kicking position, Jacob Ulrich caught the snap and took off before pulling up for a jump pass to Rocky Beers.
## Costly Mistake
The pass was well behind Beers and over his head, leading to an interception that gave Kentucky better field position than a fourth-down conversion.
## Offense Struggles
Oklahoma's offense ran better in the first half but struggled late with Mateer's third interception on second-and-10 with 21 seconds remaining.
## Injury Impact
Left tackle Ryan Fodje appeared to suffer a lower-leg injury and Peyton Joseph slid over to take his spot.
## Defensive Depth
Jake Kreul sacked Kentucky quarterback Kenny Minchey early and forced another punt late in the game.
## Kentucky's Fourth Quarter
Kentucky went for fourth-and-3 from the OU 6 but Kreul smoked Minchey to give the ball back to the offense with 6:04 remaining.
## Oklahoma's Next Challenge
Oklahoma needs to get healthy up front quickly with six conference games remaining.
## Key takeaway

Oklahoma's third loss in a row ends their SEC hopes after a critical fourth-quarter collapse.