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11/29 19:55 CST Mateer throws late TD pass, No. 8 Oklahoma beats LSU 17-13 to
likely secure playoff spot
Mateer throws late TD pass, No. 8 Oklahoma beats LSU 17-13 to likely secure
playoff spot
By CLIFF BRUNT
AP Sports Writer
NORMAN, Okla. (AP) --- The pressure on Oklahoma coach Brent Venables reached a
critical level after the Sooners finished 6-7 last season.
He never wavered in his belief that he could turn things around and now, he
likely has the Sooners headed to the College Football Playoff.
John Mateer threw a 58-yard touchdown pass to Isaiah Sategna with 4:16 left to
overcome three interceptions, and No. 8 Oklahoma beat LSU 17-13 on Saturday
night.
The Sooners (10-2, 6-2 Southeastern Conference, No. 8 CFP) are in position to
host a first-round game after winning four straight.
"The narrative wasn't always on their side, and they had to kind of fight
through that as well," Venables said. "But to be able to share in this moment
with them ... I just have so much appreciation, respect for our players and
staff."
Mateer was 23 of 38 for 318 yards and two touchdowns, and Sategna caught nine
passes for 121 yards.
"There's not a whole lot to really write about on the stat sheet, other than
that score," Venables said.
Oklahoma held the Tigers (7-5, 3-5) to 198 total yards and came up with a late
stop to hold on. LSU converted on just two of 14 third downs.
"I thought in spots, we played outstanding and gave ourselves a chance," LSU
interim coach Frank Wilson III said. "Unfortunately, it was not enough and we
fell short.
LSU played through rumors about its coaching situation. Brian Kelly was fired
earlier and Ole Miss coach Lane Kiffin has been rumored to be his replacement.
Kiffin was expected to make an announcement on Saturday regarding where he
would coach next season, but he had not done so before LSU's game ended.
Michael Van Buren Jr. started at quarterback for LSU with Garrett Nussmeier
still recovering from an abdominal injury. Van Buren passed for 96 yards and
ran for 33.
Oklahoma was on the move early in the third quarter when Mateer threw an
interception to A.J. Haulcy, who returned it 42 yards to the Oklahoma 33. LSU
scored in four plays. Van Buren connected with Zavion Thomas for a 1-yard
touchdown pass to put the Tigers up 10-3.
Oklahoma tied it late in the third quarter when Deion Burks took a short pass
45 yards up the middle. LSU went up 13-10 before the long pass from Mateer to
Sategna.
Wilson said the Tigers put forth a solid 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 and came into it with
that mindset and played accordingly," Wilson said.
Numbers game Oklahoma has won four straight games, but this was the first time the Sooners outgained an opponent during the streak. Tennessee outgained Oklahoma 456 yards to 351. Alabama had a 406-212 edge and Missouri had a 301-276 advantage. The Sooners outgained LSU 393-198.
Explosive Sategna Sategna has often been the spark the Sooners have needed, and he was again on Saturday. He had a 35-yard punt return in the third quarter before Burks' touchdown, then scored on the long catch. His team-leading season totals improved to 65 catches, 948 yards and seven touchdowns receiving and 1,276 all-purpose yards.
The takeaway LSU: The Tigers played solid defense, but struggled to move the ball for the fourth straight game. Oklahoma: Mateer made some mistakes, as usual, but came up with a few special plays in critical moments, as usual. ___ Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here and here (AP News mobile app). AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-football
Numbers game Oklahoma has won four straight games, but this was the first time the Sooners outgained an opponent during the streak. Tennessee outgained Oklahoma 456 yards to 351. Alabama had a 406-212 edge and Missouri had a 301-276 advantage. The Sooners outgained LSU 393-198.
Explosive Sategna Sategna has often been the spark the Sooners have needed, and he was again on Saturday. He had a 35-yard punt return in the third quarter before Burks' touchdown, then scored on the long catch. His team-leading season totals improved to 65 catches, 948 yards and seven touchdowns receiving and 1,276 all-purpose yards.
The takeaway LSU: The Tigers played solid defense, but struggled to move the ball for the fourth straight game. Oklahoma: Mateer made some mistakes, as usual, but came up with a few special plays in critical moments, as usual. ___ Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here and here (AP News mobile app). AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-football
