Oklahoma Beats Mississippi State 23-15 Behind Mateer and 283 Yards

Oklahoma beat Mississippi State 23-15 on Saturday at Davis Wade Stadium in Starkville, riding a clean game from quarterback John Mateer and a defense that held the Bulldogs scoreless for the first half.

Mateer completed 22 of 29 passes for 283 yards and two touchdowns, with no turnovers. It was his best game of the season. Nine Oklahoma receivers caught a pass. The Sooners led 10-0 at halftime and 17-0 early in the third quarter.

Mississippi State lost its starting quarterback early. Kamario Taylor left the game with an injury in the first quarter and did not return. Former walk-on Billy Puckett took over and finished 17 of 24 for 158 yards, with one touchdown and one interception.

How the scoring went

Oklahoma built the lead in steps. A field goal and a Mateer touchdown pass to Isaiah Sategna late in the first half, scored with 39 seconds left in the second quarter, made it 10-0. Mateer opened the second half with a 32-yard touchdown pass to Rocky Beers for a 17-0 lead.

Mississippi State finally scored in the third quarter after recovering a Beers fumble, driving 51 yards in six plays. The Bulldogs held Oklahoma to field goals after that. Tate Sandell made a 38-yard field goal for a 23-7 lead with 4:26 left, his third made kick of the day on six attempts.

Puckett gave the home crowd a last push. His first career touchdown pass, a 42-yard throw to Sanfrisco Magee, plus a two-point conversion pass to Magee again, cut the lead to 23-15 with 2:10 left. Oklahoma took the ball back and ran out the clock, with Mateer converting two third downs on the final drive.

Running back Fluff Bothwell was the game leading rusher for Mississippi State, with 17 carries for 111 yards. Oklahoma safety Peyton Bowen intercepted Puckett in the end zone in the fourth quarter to stop a scoring chance.

What the result means

Oklahoma improves to 4-3 overall and 2-2 in the SEC, back in the win column after a home loss. The Sooners host South Carolina next Saturday.

Mississippi State falls to 4-3 overall and 2-3 in the SEC. The Bulldogs started the season 4-0 and have now lost three straight games. The bigger question leaving Starkville is Taylor health. The offense scored in only two quarters on Saturday and has scored in just two of its last nine quarters, according to Clarion Ledger reporting from the game.