Record-setting performance from unexpected source delivers biggest win of the season for the Sooners
Tate Sandell delivered a game of the ages for the Oklahoma Sooners to lift them to victory over the Tennessee Volunteers
The Oklahoma Sooners pulled off one of the biggest wins of the Brent Venables era, beating the Tennessee Volunteers in a thrilling shootout 33-27. The offense came alive in key moments in the second half and delivered a monumental win that kept their hopes for the College Football Playoff alive.
It wasn’t pretty, but one player stepped up to the plate and kept the Sooners in the game from start to finish, and set an Oklahoma (and Tennessee) record along the way. If he wasn’t around, it’s fair to say Oklahoma wouldn’t have come close to a win on Saturday night.
Kicker Tate Sandell delivered one of the best performances you’ll ever see from a kicker, putting the team on his back. Sandell was the MVP of the game, and I’m willing to say that he’s the MVP of the season so far for the Sooners.
Tate Sandell’s record-setting performance wins the MVP
Brent Venables said it best after the game when he called Sandell “an absolute animal”. He has delivered time and time again for the Sooners, and he did it in unbelievable fashion in Knoxville on Saturday.
Sandell has been perfect on kicks over 50 yards this season, including making three unreal ones to lift Oklahoma over Tennessee. Sandell nailed kicks from 51, 55, 55 and made all four of his field goals, scoring 12 of Oklahoma’s 33 points single-handedly. It was a performance of the ages for Sandell, and it put him in the record books
Sandell might not be in conversation for the Heisman, but this was a performance that should undoubtedly set him up in conversations for the Lou Groza Award for best kicker in the country. He’s only missed one kick all year, and has delivered in the clutch all year.
The Sooners have had a strong tradition of kickers in recent years, but Sandell was a late arrival in the spring. Venables and co have to be feeling grateful they made the decision to bring him in when they did, as it likely saved their season.
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