16, the famous play in the 2018 Big 12 title game between the Sooners and Longhorns, was Sooners cornerback sacking Texas quarterback Sam Ehlinger in the endzone on a corner blitz for the safety giving his team a boost to victory.
The Sooners were ranked fifth while the Longhorns were ranked 14th. Texas defeated Oklahoma earlier in the season 48-45 in the Red River Rivalry.
This was the first time in 114 meetings that these two teams clashed for the Big 12 title and the first time since 1923 that this matchup would not occur at the usual Cotton Bowl.
Texas opened with the game’s first drive, and it took three minutes for their quarterback Sam Ehlinger to gut his way up in the middle and run it in for the 16-yard touchdown as they led 7-0 over Oklahoma.
On Oklahoma’s first couple of offensive drives, they finished them both with made field goals by their placekicker Austin Seibert. One being from 20 yards and the other being from 27 yards as we moved into the second quarter.
Quickly after, Ehlinger led his offense down the field for another rushing touchdown with this one being from three yards out. The Longhorns now led 14-6 with 11:22 to go in the second quarter.
Finally, the offensive line gave Oklahoma’s future Heisman-winning quarterback Kyler Murray plenty of time to connect with wide receiver Ceedee Lamb for the 28-yard touchdown cutting the score to 14-13.
The Sooners got the ball with under a minute left until halftime, and it ended in another touchdown from Murray to tight end Grant Calcaterra over the middle. It was a five-play, 80-yard, and 41-second drive that gave them their first lead of the game 20-14 at the half.
To begin the second half, Oklahoma marched down the field quite effortlessly resulting in running back Trey Sermon dashing in for the six-yard score extending the Sooner lead to 27-14.
Texas answered right back as Ehlinger linked up with receiver Collin Johnson for a 27-yard touchdown strike. On the next Texas drive, Ehlinger completed with Lil’Jordan Humphrey for a five-yard touchdown, but placekicker Cameron Dicker’s PAT was blocked leaving the score at 27-27 heading into the final quarter of play.
Oklahoma recaptured the lead with a Seibert 31-yard field goal as they now led 30-27.
Next Sooner drive, Murray passed to Lamb who then made a remarkable run after the catch but was ripped from behind losing the football with the Longhorns taking over at the Texas seven-yard line.
Ball on the Texas seven-yard line, Texas running play action, Ehlinger dropping back just inside of his end zone, but is immediately sacked by the blitzing Sooner cornerback Tre Brown for the big-time safety extending the Sooner lead to 32-27. One of the most memorable plays in Oklahoma history.
After the safety, the Sooners drove down the field 65 yards as Murray lofted the pass to Grant Calcaterra on third down and 10 for the game-sealing 18-yard touchdown.
Sooners took down the Longhorns 39-27 in a great one and secured their fourth consecutive Big 12 title. Murray finished the game with 379 passing yards and three touchdown passes.
By: Joey Ross
