FORT WORTH — Brent Venables has endured another disappointing season at Oklahoma, as the Sooners suffered a gut-wrenching 21-20 defeat to Navy in the Armed Forces Bowl. Despite a promising start, Oklahoma’s offense stalled, and Navy capitalized on every mistake, extending the Sooners’ losing streak in bowl games to three.
The Sooners took an early lead with a dynamic drive led by Michael Hawkins Jr., but that would be the last time they found the end zone. Navy, relentless and disciplined, scored 21 unanswered points, eventually holding on for the win as Oklahoma’s late two-point conversion attempt failed. This victory marked Navy’s sixth 10-win season in history, while Oklahoma, at 6-7, was left to reflect on another underwhelming campaign.
Here are the key takeaways from a frustrating day for the Sooners:
1. Inconsistent Play Haunts the Sooners
Oklahoma’s performance in the bowl game mirrored their season—flashes of brilliance followed by periods of utter collapse. After building an early 14-0 lead, they faltered in the second quarter as Navy crept back into the game. A critical 95-yard touchdown run by Navy’s Blake Horvath tied the game, and from there, the Sooners couldn’t find their rhythm. Mistakes piled up, from penalties to fumbles, and what should have been a secure victory slipped away.
2. Big Plays and Missed Assignments
Though Oklahoma’s defense had solid moments against Navy’s option offense, they were burned by missed assignments on key plays. Navy’s offense racked up 143 yards on just three plays, resulting in two touchdowns that kept them in the game. These big plays proved to be the difference, as the Sooners couldn’t recover from the explosive gaps in coverage.
3. Dropped Passes Derail Offensive Momentum
Without star receiver Deion Burks, Oklahoma’s young wideouts had a chance to shine, but they fell short. Despite an early touchdown from Zion Kearney and several key catches, the Sooners dropped passes at crucial moments. In total, Oklahoma registered seven drops, derailing their offensive flow and making it impossible to capitalize on their early momentum. With the transfer portal bringing in new faces, the Sooners’ receiving corps will need a serious upgrade this offseason.
Oklahoma’s season ends on a sour note, leaving fans wondering what changes are in store for next year. The Sooners must address their inconsistencies, big-play breakdowns, and missed opportunities if they hope to return to prominence in 2025.
