Sep 12, 2015; Knoxville, TN, USA; Oklahoma Sooners wide receiver Sterling Shepard (3) scores the winning touchdown in double overtime against the Tennessee Volunteers Neyland Stadium. Oklahoma won in double overtime 31-24. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports
Sept. 12, 2015 – Oklahoma 31, Tennessee 24
The way this game started out, it didn’t seem likely that Oklahoma could mount enough offense to overcome the Tennessee defense, as well as a hostile crowd bearing bright orange Tennessee colors that numbered in excess of 100,000.
Tennessee jumped out to a 17-0 lead in the first 17 minutes of the game, and at that point things were looking pretty grim for the visitors from the Big 12.
The Sooners managed a 35-yard field goal with under five minutes to go in the first half to get something on the board, but trailed 17-3 at the break.
The Oklahoma offense remained stagnant in the third quarter, but the defensive intensity had noticeably picked up on the Sooner side of the ball.
Somehow, someway the OU offense came to life in the fourth quarter. The Sooners went 80 yards in 14 plays to reach the end zone for the first time in the game on a 2-yard touchdown toss from Baker Mayfield to Samaje Perine.
Then, with just over six minutes remaining in the game and Tennessee holding onto a 17-10 lead, Oklahoma took possession on its own 40-yard line. OU sustained a 60-yard drive over the next 5:20. With 40 seconds remaining in the game and faced with a third-and-goal from the Volunteer 5-yard line, Mayfield hit Sterling Shepard in the end zone with a game-tying touchdown.
It’s one of the more special wins, maybe my favorite of all.” —Bob Stoops
The Sooners had come all the way back, after appearing virtually dead on arrival for the first three quarters, to send the game to overtime.
Mayfield, who was the key figure in leading the two Oklahoma scoring drives in the fourth quarter, had completed 8 of 24 passes for 84 yards through the first three quarters, but in the final quarter alone, he was good on 11 of his 14 throws for 103 yards.
Both teams scored on their opening possession of the overtime. In the second overtime session, Mayfield connected with Shepard on an 18-yard touchdown pass and Michael Hunnicutt added the extra point to put the Sooners up by 7.
Tennessee faced a third-down play and three yards to go on the OU 27-yard line on its second overtime possession. Volunteer quarterback Josh Dobbs tried to get a pass to one of his wide receivers, but Sooner cornerback Zack Sanchez jumped the route and picked off the pass to end the game and give Oklahoma the improbable victory. 31-24.
After the game, head coach Bob Stoops called it “one of the more special wins, maybe my favorite of all.”
Next: Nov. 14, 2015 - Oklahoma 44, Baylor 34