NORMAN, Oklahoma — In a surprising turn of events just one week prior to the much-anticipated Iron Bowl, the Oklahoma Sooners delivered a decisive blow to No. 7 Alabama, triumphing with a score of 24-3 at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. This marked a significant setback for the Crimson Tide, who suffered their third loss of the SEC season, a first for Alabama since 2010.
Alabama’s offensive woes were largely attributed to quarterback Jalen Milroe, who struggled throughout the game, throwing three interceptions, one of which was returned for a touchdown by Oklahoma’s Kip Lewis, further complicating Alabama’s performance.
Next week, Alabama is set to face their rivals, Auburn, in the Iron Bowl on Saturday, November 30, at 2:30 p.m. CST at Bryant-Denny Stadium.
Throughout the match, Milroe faced consistent pressure, culminating in a difficult fourth quarter where he recorded his third interception after being hit while throwing. With only 11 completions out of 26 attempts for 164 yards, he found it challenging to generate any momentum for the Alabama offense.
Key moments during the game include a significant touchdown from Oklahoma’s Xavier Robinson, who scored twice, helping his team establish a two-score lead by the third quarter. Additionally, a touchdown from Alabama’s Ryan Williams was nullified due to an illegal touching penalty, underscoring the struggles faced by Alabama in executing critical plays.
By halftime, Oklahoma held a 10-3 lead, having limited Alabama to just 97 yards of offense compared to their 242. The game continued to highlight Alabama’s inability to find its rhythm offensively, as their defense occasionally managed to force Oklahoma to punt but could not convert those opportunities into points on the board.
Injuries also plagued Alabama, with linebacker Deontae Lawson exiting the game due to a lower-extremity injury, raising concerns for the Crimson Tide roster moving forward.
Despite the loss, Alabama has the chance to rebound in the coming week against Auburn, a game that can offer them an opportunity to regain some momentum. With the challenge ahead, Alabama’s coaching staff will likely focus on addressing the turnovers and offensive inconsistencies that have hindered their recent performances. A positive takeaway from this loss is that it provides an opportunity for the team to regroup, learn, and strategize as they head into a crucial rivalry match.
In conclusion, while the loss is disappointing for Alabama, it can serve as a catalyst for improvement as they prepare for upcoming challenges.