Oklahoma football: How Baker Mayfield went from walk on to OU legend

First win over Texas in 2016

You can win a Heisman trophy, a national championship and set as many records as you want, but you can’t become a truly great Oklahoma quarterback until you beat Texas.

A year after succumbing to the Longhorns in a shocking 24-17 defeat, Mayfield came out looking a bit shaky in the Cotton Bowl with a pair of first-half interceptions that allowed an inferior Longhorn team to stay within one point with a 28-27 halftime score.

In the second half Baker Mayfield dusted off all his early mistakes and looked downright flawless, finishing with 390 yards and three touchdowns through the air in a 45-40 Sooners’ triumph.

Mayfield, who grew up in the shadow of the University of Texas at Lake Travis High School in Austin, looked elated to finally don the Golden Hat after starting his career 0-2 against the Longhorns (though one loss came as a true freshman at Texas Tech).

The win meant even more after the rough start the Sooners had to 2016. Oklahoma had been upset by Houston in the season opener then downright embarrassed by Ohio State at home (we’ll get to that later) to finish just 1-2 in non-conference play. The Sooners would not lose again for nearly a full calendar year.