3 winners and 2 losers from Oklahoma's bounce-back win over Mississippi State

The Oklahoma Sooners got back in the win column after it was starting to feel like it might not happen again this year.

The Sooners improved to 4-3 with a 23-15 road win against Mississippi State on Saturday. Offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle finally constructed a winning game plan that quarterback John Mateer thrived in, but that duo wasn't the only one to stand out in Starkville. Those two are also usually losers on this list, so this week, someone else finally is.

Winner: Isaiah Sategna III

OU wide receiver Isaiah Sategna III was the greatest beneficiary of Mateer's great day and Mississippi State's vulnerable secondary. He led the Sooners with eight catches for a career-high 164 yards and a 36-yard TD. He also contributed as a rusher with three carries for 24 yards.

If Mateer did in fact turn a corner on Saturday and this is a preview of what's possible, then Sategna could catch fire late and earn All-SEC honors by the end.

Loser: Tate Sandell

What the heck has happened to Tate Sandell?

Other than a game-winning field goal against Texas, it has been a season to forget for Sandell, less than a year after winning the Lou Groza Award as the best kicker in college football. Now, fans are starting to wonder if the top kicker in the country is even the best on OU's roster.

Sandell was 3-for-6 on field-goal attempts on Saturday, with misses from 45, 45, and 41 yards. He's 7-for-10 on the season, which included three misses in a row before becoming the hero of the Red River Rivalry. That's compared to Sandell setting single-season program and SEC records for consecutive made field goals with 24 straight last season.

Venables said after Saturday's game that Sandell will be fine, and it's clear the Sooners still have confidence in him, but no matter what he accomplished last year, Venables might need to see what someone else can do if Sandell keeps struggling.

Winner: Owen Heinecke

Linebacker Owen Heinecke was everywhere from Norman to Starkville. OK, maybe he was just within the 100-by-50-yard area in David Wade Stadium, but it felt like he was covering that much ground.

Heinecke once again led the Sooners with a season-high 10 total tackles and two tackles for loss, plus a sack and a forced fumble. He also leads OU in tackles for the season with 54.

He's averaged nine sacks per game in his last three outings, as Heinecke states his case for some postseason recognition and improves his NFL Draft stock.

Loser: Jeff Lebby

Mississippi State head coach Jeff Lebby didn't just lose the game against his alma mater and old boss, but Saturday was also a reality check that he can only accomplish so much while leading the Bulldogs.

This might be the best team Lebby can assemble in Starkville, but with quarterback Kamario Taylor injured, it's been made clear that the Bulldogs aren't much without Taylor, and it will be easy for programs to outbid Mississippi State and steal him away this offseason. Even after what can still be a really good season, Lebby will likely have to rebuild year after year, even more than every other program.

On the flip side, that's a win for the Sooners. Lebby has at least proven he can build a successful program from rubble, so imagine what he could do at a blue blood like Oklahoma, where he graduated and started his coaching career, and was a successful OC before becoming a head coach. Knowing he has limitations at Mississippi State, Lebby would be more apt to jump at an opportunity with the Sooners if and when Venables eventually gets fired.

Winner: Peyton Bowen

Safety Peyton Bowen always steps up right when the Sooners need it. The Bulldogs were driving and looking to make it a game in the fourth quarter, but then Bowen pulled down an interception in the end zone. He also tallied seven tackles in the win.

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