NORMAN, OK - The Oklahoma Sooners dropped their second game in the last three weeks, as they were dealt a 34-26 defeat against Ole Miss on Saturday.

Oklahoma started out slow, trailing by 12 late in the third quarter. After struggling to get the run game going, running back Xavier Robinson came alive in the second half, with two touchdown scores to give the Sooners their first lead of the day. Prior to Robinson’s two scores, Oklahoma’s rushing attack was limited to just 12 total rushing yards.

The final quarter was all Ole Miss. Oklahoma had multiple chances to win the game, but self-inflicted wounds would get in their own way. With a chance to take the lead after forcing a punt, Isaiah Sategna III suffered a costly fumble on a punt return. 

The Sooners were set to take over with good field position, instead Ole Miss took the ball at midfield, setting up a 37-yard field goal from Lucas Carneiro for the Rebels’ final score.

There’s a lot of issues to point to for what went wrong for the Sooners. The offensive line struggled to get the rushing attack working early, while John Mateer was under duress all afternoon, getting sacked three times. 

Oklahoma’s receivers had their problems getting open, as outside of Sategna III, no one else was to be found for much of the day. Mateer’s top weapon Jaren Kanak was held to just three catches for thirty yards. 

It is clear that Mateer hasn’t been the same quarterback since returning from injury. The days of Mateer being mentioned in the Heisman conversation are long over, after completing just 55% of his passes on the day, with one touchdown score.

The defense isn’t off the hook either. Oklahoma allowed more points in the first quarter (10), than any points scored in the first quarter combined (3) all season. Trinidad Chambliss was sacked just once, and was able to light up the Sooners’ defense with 315 passing yards, along with a touchdown score.

They also struggled to stop the run, as Kewan Lacy led the Rebels in rushing with 78 yards off of 27 carries, scoring two rushing touchdowns. The Sooners’ defense gave up 116 rushing yards on the ground.

It is also worth-noting what Ole Miss did to control the game, winning the time of possession by over 11 minutes. The Rebels did not turn the ball over either, while the Sooners had the costly fumble in the 4th quarter on the punt return by Sategna III.

With the loss, Oklahoma’s playoff chances are razor thin, as they drop to 6-2. The Sooners will look to bounce back next week, when they return to action next week for a road matchup at Tennessee.