The Red River Rivalry game might’ve lost a bit of its magnitude in 2025 with the Texas Longhorns already having
The Red River Rivalry game might’ve lost a bit of its magnitude in 2025 with the Texas Longhorns already having two losses coming into their rivalry game against the Oklahoma Sooners. However, this matchup always carries more than enough importance for Oklahoma and Texas.
Let’s immediately dive into our winners and losers from the Red River Rivalry, with the Longhorns bouncing back to devastate their rival.
Winner: Ryan Niblett, Texas Longhorns
Even with John Mateer struggling, it was still just a 13-6 game with 10 minutes remaining in the fourth quarter. The Longhorns’ defense needed another score that would really let them pin their ears back and come after Oklahoma’s quarterback. Ryan Niblett delivered it. After another three-and-out forced by Texas, Niblett took the punt at the 25-yard line for a 75-yard score that effectively put the game on ice. It allowed Texas to dial up even more blitzes, which further drove the dagger into the Sooners.
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Loser: John Mateer, QB, Oklahoma Sooners
Starting John Mateer in the Red River Rivalry is an indictment on the Sooners’ quarterback options behind him. It didn’t take long before everyone watching Saturday’s game recognized that Mateer wasn’t going to come close to playing up to his usual standard. Missed time in practice was apparent on some passing plays that were out of rhythm and Mateer’s decision-making only made things worse. He put too much on himself in this rivalry game, a high-pressure moment that he clearly shouldn’t have been thrust into at far less than 100 percent. Mateer was bad on Saturday, but the fact he played and was used as the centerpiece of the offense is a reflection on the Sooners’ coaching staff.
Winner: Malik Muhammad, CB, Texas Longhorns
It’s not just the two-interception game in the Red River Rivalry; it’s the timing of when they happened. Longhorns’ defensive back Malik Muhammad came up with his first big play late in the first quarter, making a perfect read on a back-foot throw by Mateer and then making the diving interception at the Longhorns’ 42-yard line. While Texas’ offense couldn’t turn that into points, Muhammad took Sooners’ points off the board with his second interception of the first half, picking off Mateer’s pass in the end zone to wipe out at least a field goal. Not bad timing for a player who came into Saturday with one interception in 34 career games.
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Loser: Oklahoma Sooners’ Ground Game
Entering Saturday, the Sooners’ offense ranked 95th in rushing yards per game (137.2), averaging just under 3.8 yards per carry. For Mateer’s sake, Oklahoma desperately needed something from Tory Blaylock and Xavier Robinson. Once again, they got nothing. Just one of the carries by the Sooners’ running backs went for double-digit yards, with the rest averaging under 2 yards per touch. Of course, this is also a reflection on the offensive line constructed by Oklahoma. The inability to run the football effectively finally cost OU.
Winner: Arch Manning, QB, Texas Longhorns
No one should come out of this game suggesting Texas quarterback Arch Manning looked like a player who should be the first overall pick in the NFL Draft. However, he did play the game-manager role relatively well. Manning put up 200 total yards in the Red River Rivalry, easily outplaying Mateer. He made the smart plays after a rocky first quarter and, most importantly, protected the football. It wasn’t a great performance, but Manning did just enough to complement the Longhorns’ defense and special teams to get the win.
Loser: Brent Venables, Oklahoma Sooners HC
Brent Venables is now 1-3 versus Texas. He won it in 2023 thanks in large part to Dillon Gabriel putting on an incredible performance, but the results since have largely been underwhelming. Venables made the call to start Mateer, and his team came out of the second half on Saturday and was outscored 20-0. Ultimately, this has to fall on Venables’ shoulders. Once again, it appears that Oklahoma might not have the head coach it needs to take that big next step in the SEC.
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