Red River on a Knife Edge: Oklahoma 6–3 Texas at Halftime in a bruising, defense-led showdown

The 2025 Red River Rivalry is living up to its reputation at the Cotton Bowl, with Oklahoma nursing a 6–3 halftime lead over Texas after a half dominated by defense, field position, and special teams on Saturday, October 11 (3:30 p.m. ET / 2:30 p.m. CT / 12:30 p.m. PT / 8:30 p.m. BST). The Sooners struck twice through the boot, while Texas clawed back late in the second quarter to make it a three-point game at the break.

Score & Status

• Status: Live (Halftime)

• Score: Oklahoma 6–3 Texas

• Venue: Cotton Bowl, Dallas, Texas

• Kickoff (USA, Canada and UK): Sat, Oct 11 — 3:30 p.m. ET | 2:30 p.m. CT | 12:30 p.m. PT | 8:30 p.m. BST.

Live Timeline (Key Moments)

• 11’: Oklahoma 3–0 Texas — Tate Sandell nails a 42-yard field goal after a nine-play, 52-yard march.

• 21’: Oklahoma 6–0 Texas — Sandell drills a second kick, this time from 41 yards after another sustained Sooners drive.

• 26’: Oklahoma 6–3 Texas — Texas responds with a 22-yard field goal to cap a 12-play, 75-yard possession before the half.

Standout Performers & Turning Points

• Oklahoma K Tate Sandell: 2/2 on field goals (42, 41), providing all the Sooners’ points so far and punishing Texas for failing to fully tighten up on the edge runs and intermediate outs.

• Texas defense: Two first-half takeaways flipped momentum and kept the Longhorns within a field goal despite Oklahoma’s early rhythm.

• QBs under duress: Arch Manning has operated efficiently on quick game concepts but faced pressure on third downs; Oklahoma’s John Mateer has threatened with his legs yet paid for two risky throws into tight windows.

• End-of-half swing: Texas’ late scoring drive steadied the ship heading into the locker room and set the stage for a second-half chess match.

Lineups & Shape (if confirmed)

• Texas offense: Arch Manning at QB, a committee approach at RB, with Texas leaning on quick hitters and play-action shots to the boundary rather than deep developing routes.

• Oklahoma offense: John Mateer at QB, leveraging zone-read and sprint-outs to stress the flats, with intermediate crossers the preferred passing flavor.

Match Stats (Halftime snapshot)

Halftime Analysis

This has been every bit the trench fight many expected. Oklahoma owned the first quarter by controlling field position and winning early downs, which set up two makeable kicks. The Sooners’ protection has been good enough to let Mateer work the edges, but Texas’ secondary disguised coverage well and pounced for a pair of first-half interceptions—massive moments that prevented the deficit from ballooning.

For Texas, the run game has been stop-start, but the staff found answers late with tempo and quick perimeter throws to loosen the front. Manning has taken what’s there, and the Longhorns finally stitched together a balanced, 12-play response before the break. Expect Texas to keep leaning on RPO looks and quicker snaps early in the third quarter to tire the Sooners’ front.

Oklahoma’s path after the interval likely hinges on early-down efficiency and keeping the ball out of harm’s way—two turnovers have been the only thing marring an otherwise composed half. If the Sooners can continue to flip the field and keep Sandell in range, they’ll feel comfortable in another tight Red River finish.

What It Means

With both programs eyeing SEC positioning and CFP resumes, the margins are razor-thin. If Texas cleans up protection and sustains drives, the Longhorns’ defense looks good enough to tilt the game. If Oklahoma maintains its special-teams edge and gets a cleaner half from Mateer, the Sooners’ methodical blueprint can carry them home. Buckle up for a tense third quarter in Dallas.