In a dramatic Saturday night showdown in Norman, Oklahoma, the No. 8 Sooners mounted a stunning fourth-quarter comeback to defeat LSU 17-13, virtually clinching a berth in the College Football Playoff. The victory marked a remarkable turnaround for a program that finished just 6-7 last season, silencing doubters and delivering redemption for coach Brent Venables.
A Comeback for the Ages
The game came down to a single moment of brilliance. With just 4:16 remaining on the clock, quarterback John Mateer launched a
58-yard touchdown pass to Isaiah Sategna, giving Oklahoma the go-ahead score and breaking LSU's resistance. Despite throwing three interceptions throughout the contest, Mateer delivered when it mattered most, finishing with 318 passing yards and two touchdowns on 23-of-38 completions.
"The narrative wasn't always on their side, and they had to kind of fight through that as well," Venables reflected after the game. "But to be able to share in this moment with them ... I just have so much appreciation, respect for our players and staff."
Dominant Defense Seals the Deal
What made Oklahoma's victory even more impressive was their defensive performance. The Sooners held LSU to just
198 total yards of offense, forcing the Tigers to convert on only 2 of 14 third-down attempts. Oklahoma's defense came up with crucial stops throughout the night, particularly in the final moments when they prevented LSU from mounting a last-ditch scoring drive.
The Sooners outgained LSU 393 to 198, marking the first time during their current four-game winning streak that Oklahoma actually outgained their opponent in total yards.
Sategna's Stellar Performance
Wide receiver
Isaiah Sategna emerged as the game's most dynamic playmaker, catching nine passes for 121 yards and the game-winning touchdown. Beyond his receiving production, Sategna also contributed on special teams with a 35-yard punt return in the third quarter that set up another Oklahoma score. His season totals now stand at an impressive 65 catches, 948 yards, and seven touchdowns receiving, along with 1,276 all-purpose yards.
LSU's Coaching Chaos
The Tigers' loss was compounded by ongoing uncertainty surrounding their coaching situation. LSU interim coach Frank Wilson III led the team in the absence of fired head coach Brian Kelly, while rumors swirled about Ole Miss coach Lane Kiffin potentially taking over the program. Michael Van Buren Jr. started at quarterback for LSU with Garrett Nussmeier sidelined by an abdominal injury, completing passes for 96 yards while adding 33 rushing yards.
Despite the loss, Wilson praised his team's effort: "I told our team I'm extremely proud of them, of the way that they competed, the way that they believed that they could win this game."
Playoff Picture Clarifies
With this victory, Oklahoma (10-2, 6-2 SEC) has now won four consecutive games and positioned itself to host a first-round playoff game. The Sooners' resurgence from a disappointing 6-7 season represents one of college football's most compelling turnaround stories this year. LSU falls to 7-5 overall and 3-5 in conference play, effectively ending their playoff hopes.
The win validates Venables' vision for the program and proves that Oklahoma remains a force to be reckoned with in the College Football Playoff conversation.
1.
Sooners all but seal playoff spot with comeback win over LSU - ESPN2.
OU football dodges LSU upset bid, likely secures CFP bid - The Oklahoman3.
1161-2025-11-30-oklahoma-surges-late-with-touchdown-to-edge-lsu-likely-secures-spot-in-college-football-playoff" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="text-blue-600 hover:text-blue-800 underline font-medium">Oklahoma Surges Late With Touchdown to Edge LSU - SportAvto
Sources
1. Sooners all but seal playoff spot with comeback win over LSU - ESPN
2. OU football dodges LSU upset bid, likely secures CFP bid | 5 takeaways
3. Oklahoma Surges Late With Touchdown to Edge LSU, Likely ...
