By local beat reporter, The Norman Transcript
Sooners Stabilize Season With 34–24 Home Victory Over Tulane
Fresh off a heartbreaking double-overtime loss at Houston, the #20 Oklahoma Sooners responded with poise and purpose in Week 3, defeating Tulane 34–24 at home. It wasn’t always smooth, and the Green Wave kept the pressure on deep into the fourth quarter, but Oklahoma controlled the tempo for most of the game and earned a much-needed bounce-back win.
The Sooners improve to 2–1 (0–0 SEC) ahead of another home test next week.
Fast Start, Strong Middle, Steady Finish
1st Quarter — Oklahoma 7, Tulane 0
Oklahoma struck first on a crisp opening drive capped by a Jackson Arnold rushing touchdown, setting the tone with tempo and precision.
Halftime — Oklahoma 17, Tulane 10
Tulane pushed back with a strong aerial performance, but the Sooners’ offense stayed efficient:
- Arnold threw for 175 first-half yards
- Sawchuk and Barnes combined for solid early production
- Defense forced one turnover and limited Tulane’s run game
End of 3rd Quarter — Oklahoma 34, Tulane 17
The Sooners broke the game open with a dominant third quarter:
- Arnold found Jaquaize Pettaway and Brenen Thompson on explosive plays
- Bauer Sharp added a key red-zone touchdown
- Oklahoma’s defense forced multiple punts as momentum swung hard
Final — Oklahoma 34, Tulane 24
Tulane scored late to tighten the margin but never threatened to steal the game. Oklahoma controlled the fourth quarter with clock management and clean execution.
Jackson Arnold Delivers Again: Efficient and Explosive
Quarterback Jackson Arnold continued his stellar early-season form:
- 25/32 (78%)
- 369 yards
- 3 passing touchdowns
- 1 rushing touchdown
- 0 turnovers
- 205.9 passer rating
Arnold spread the ball across the field, attacking Tulane’s secondary with both deep shots and well-timed intermediate routes.
Running Game Stabilizes Behind Sawchuk and Barnes
The Sooners’ rushing attack found better balance this week:
- Gavin Sawchuk: 17 carries, 69 yards (4.0 avg)
- Jovantae Barnes: 5 carries, 36 yards (7.2 avg)
Barnes provided a needed spark with two chunk runs, while Sawchuk once again showed strong yards-after-contact ability.
Arnold added a rushing TD, though sacks again hurt his net production.
Receiving Corps Dominates Yet Again
Oklahoma’s wideouts remain the most reliable unit on the roster.
⭐ WR Jaquaize Pettaway — Breakout Performance
- 8 receptions, 167 yards
- 20.8 yards per catch
- Long: 59 yards
Pettaway was unguardable, consistently creating separation with elite speed.
⭐ WR Brenen Thompson
- 5 receptions, 62 yards, 1 TD
- Long of 26 yards
WR Deion Burks
- 6 receptions, 69 yards
- 4 RAC plays, consistently moving the chains
TE Bauer Sharp
- 3 receptions, 34 yards, 1 TD
RB Gavin Sawchuk
- 2 receptions, 36 yards
- 39 yards after catch
The Sooners’ Spread offense continues to produce big numbers across the board.
Team Stats Snapshot
- Final Score: Oklahoma 34 – Tulane 24
- Total Offense: Oklahoma 465 – Tulane 436
- Passing: Oklahoma 369 – Tulane 422
- First Downs: 22 each
- Turnovers: OU 0 – Tulane 2
- TOP: Oklahoma 25:17 – Tulane 22:43
While Tulane outgained Oklahoma through the air, turnovers and third-quarter dominance proved decisive.
Recruiting Momentum Soars
Despite the Week 2 loss, Oklahoma’s recruiting machine is running at full power.
Sources confirm that the Sooners are now projected leaders for all 17 of their 2024 targets, including:
- 4⭐ HB Diego Mughelli
- 4⭐ WRs Graham Sumner & Stephen Maggitt
- 4⭐ DT Mohammed Ezukanma
- 4⭐ DE Antonio Keenoy
- 4⭐ SS Sean Upshaw
- 3⭐ K Dennis Spann
Winning big on the field and on the recruiting trail simultaneously is exactly the calendar-year lift Coach Taylor envisioned.
Looking Ahead
Oklahoma moves to 2–1 and regains essential momentum heading into Week 4 against a ranked Tennessee team. Taylor’s staff appears to have stabilized both the offense and the locker room following the emotional Week 2 loss.
The SEC gauntlet may be looming—but the Sooners look ready for it.
