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Stone’s goal-line stop, Mateer’s two TDs power No. 24 Oklahoma past New Mexico, 14-6
Oklahoma’s defense held the Lobos to 185 yards and two field goals as the Sooners eked out a win to move to 2-1.
NORMAN, Okla. — John Mateer threw two touchdown passes but was intercepted twice in the first half as No. 24 Oklahoma narrowly defeated New Mexico 14-6 on Saturday night. The victory kept the Sooners from suffering back-to-back non-conference losses after a season-opening rout that was followed by a loss to Michigan; Oklahoma is now 2-1 and heads to face No. 2 Georgia next week.
Oklahoma’s defense dominated the box score, limiting New Mexico to 69 rushing yards and 185 yards of total offense while holding the Lobos to just two field goals. Late in the fourth quarter, defensive tackle David Stone stuffed New Mexico running back Scottre Humphrey on fourth-and-1 at the Oklahoma 17 with 2:58 remaining; Oklahoma converted a subsequent third down and ran out the clock.
The scoring began early in the second quarter when Mateer connected on a 29-yard touchdown throw to tight end Hayden Hansen. New Mexico answered with a pair of field goals, and All-American kicker Tate Sandell missed a 41-yard attempt as time expired in the first half. To open the second half, Oklahoma forced a quick punt and then drove 70 yards, capped by a 53-yard touchdown pass from Mateer to Isaiah Sategna that produced the game’s final margin.
New Mexico quarterback Toa Fa'avae finished with 79 passing yards; the Lobos had previously posted lopsided wins over Central Michigan and Mercyhurst but could not convert three first-half takeaways — including two interceptions of Mateer — into more than six points. Oklahoma, which dropped 13 spots in the AP Top 25 following the Michigan loss, will travel to Athens to face No. 2 Georgia, while New Mexico visits New Mexico State next Saturday.