Oklahoma opens its 2026 college football season with a commanding 44-0 shutout against UTEP on Owen Field, featuring a stellar night from quarterback John Mateer, an 88-yard punt return touchdown by Isaiah Sategna, and a dominant defensive performance under head coach Brent Venables.
The ninth-ranked Sooners kicked off the 2026 campaign on a rare Friday night under the lights at Gaylord Family – Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Okla. Coming off a 10-3 season and a first-round appearance in the College Football Playoff, Oklahoma wasted no time establishing control against a UTEP side that struggled to find any offensive rhythm.
John Mateer Leads Explosive First-Half Surge Against UTEP
Oklahoma’s offense quickly showcased an expanded arsenal of weapons. Quarterback John Mateer orchestrated a dominant first half, connecting with transfer tight end Rocky Beers on a 40-yard touchdown pass. Beers put an exclamation mark on the play by hurdling the final defender near the goal line to extend the lead to three scores late in the first quarter. Later in the contest, Mateer launched a 34-yard touchdown strike to Isaiah Sategna, who fought off a defender to cap the explosive play.
Mateer capped his night by finding his third different target for a score, zipping a 48-yard pass nearly untouched across the middle of the field to transfer wide receiver Trell Harris. That touchdown pushed the Sooners’ advantage to 41-0, cementing a comprehensive offensive display directed by the new-look roster.
Special Teams and Defense Dictate the Pace in Norman
While the offense put points on the board, special teams and the defensive unit suffocated the Miners. Safety Peyton Bowen forced the first turnover of the season on UTEP’s opening drive of the second half, punching the ball out of Tavorus Jones’ hands before EDGE Taylor Wein jumped on the loose ball at the 46-yard line. Defensive pressure remained relentless throughout the evening; EDGE rusher PJ Adebawore secured his first sack of the year on the final play of the opening quarter, while Bishop Thomas added another sack later in the game.
Special teams proved equally lethal. Isaiah Sategna III ignited the crowd in the first quarter by returning a punt 88 yards for a touchdown, a breakthrough after coming up just short of the end zone on similar returns last season. Meanwhile, kicker Tate Sandell contributed reliably on placekicks, converting field goals from 33 and 32 yards out during the first half. Hometown kicker Liam Evans, a product of Moore, Okla., added a 34-yard field goal in the second half to cap the scoring at 44-0.
Roster Management Amid Early Injury Concerns
| Scoring Phase / Play | Player Involved | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Punt Return Touchdown | Isaiah Sategna III | 88-yard return in the first quarter |
| Passing Touchdown | John Mateer to Rocky Beers | 40-yard catch with a hurdle near the goal line |
| Field Goal | Tate Sandell | Successful kicks from 33 and 32 yards |
| Second-Half Field Goal | Liam Evans | 34-yard kick by the Moore, Oklahoma native |
With the opening victory safely secured, Oklahoma heads deeper into its 2026 slate having showcased depth across all three phases of the game.
Worth a look
