The official crew from the American Athletic Conference already did a huge favor for the Auburn Tigers next week.
After a review, Oklahoma defensive end R Mason Thomas was ejected in the third quarter against the Temple Owls on Saturday because of a targeting call. Since the ejection came in the second half, Thomas will also be out for the first half next week when the No. 13 Sooners host Auburn for a top-25 matchup in their 2025 SEC opener.
R Mason Thomas ejected vs. Temple after targeting call
Thomas hit Temple quarterback Evan Simon high during a pass attempt. Although most of these targeting calls are questionable, the top of Thomas' helmet connected with Simon, ultimately leading the officials to deem it targeting after a review.
"I didn't see it," OU head coach Brent Venables said postgame. "But you put your face to their face, to a quarterback, they're gonna call it most of the time. So we'll be without him, obviously, the first half next week."
Venables also added OU will appeal the first-half suspension.
Losing Thomas didn't really matter against Temple with the Sooners already in control in the second half. However, it could be a massive deficit against Auburn when former OU quarterback Jackson Arnold returns to Norman. Arnold is mostly known for his running ability, which Sooner Nation is already familiar with, so containing the edge will be important for the Sooners against Auburn.
Thomas, a senior, is the best edge rusher the Sooners have to put pressure on Arnold or any quarterback they face. In two games this season, Thomas posted three tackles, a tackle for loss and a pass breakup so far. He surpringly wasn't on the stat sheet against Temple before his ejection.
Expect Adepoju Adebawore to get the start in place of Thomas against Auburn.
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