OU football exits CFP early in agonizing loss to Alabama | 5 takeaways

NORMAN — With 10:51 remaining in the second quarter, OU was in complete control.

The Sooners were humming offensively, overpowering the Alabama Crimson Tide defensively and led by 17 points. They showed no signs of letting up.

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Until they did.

No. 9 Alabama went on to score 27 unanswered points to defeat No. 8 OU 34-24 in the first round of the College Football Playoff on Friday at Gaylord Family — Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. The Crimson Tide are headed to the CFP quarterfinal to face No. 1 Indiana on Jan. 1 at the Rose Bowl.

Meanwhile, OU falls to 0-5 in the CFP.

Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson completed 18 of his 29 passes for 232 yards and two touchdowns.

Here are four more takeaways from OU’s (10-3) season-ending loss:

More: OU football vs Alabama highlights: Crimson Tide stuns Sooners in CFP to reach Rose Bowl

Critical mistakes lead to Sooners’ demise

It was talked about all week. Whichever team capitalized on just one or two mistakes would likely win the football game.

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Last month, it was Alabama that shot itself in the foot. On Friday, it was OU.

The Sooners’ receivers dropped several passes that hit them in the hands. Punter Grayson Miller had a punt blocked in the second quarter that led to an Alabama field goal and whiffed on one in the fourth.

OU made too many mistakes and Alabama took full advantage.

Mateer shows apparent improved health

Something was different about Mateer on Friday night.

Not only was OU’s quarterback throwing the ball in a game without tape for the first time since his hand/thumb surgery, but he showed real zip on his passes. The time off between the end of the regular season and Friday night appeared to do wonders for him.

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Mateer came out firing on all cylinders, completing seven passes of 15-plus yards in the first half. He also juked Alabama defensive back Zabien Brown out of his shoes for an eight-yard touchdown run.

The Washington State transfer completed 26 of his 41 pass attempts for 307 yards, two touchdowns and an interception.

Brown got Mateer back with a 50-yard pick-6 late in the second quarter to bring the Crimson Tide out of a 17-point hole to tie the game at halftime.

Deion Burks records season-high 107 yards most since Week 2

In search of momentum, on the second play of the fourth quarter, John Mateer spotted a wide-open Deion Burks.Mateer connected with Burks, who took it to the house for a 37-yard touchdown.

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In addition to Mateer, Burks stepped up in a massive way on Friday.

The Sooners’ senior receiver caught seven passes for 107 yards and a touchdown against Alabama. It was Burks’ best outing this season. He recorded 101 yards in OU’s Week 2 win over Michigan on Sept. 6.

Burks also made two acrobatic grabs in the first half, including a 15-yard grab near the sideline where he managed to keep both feet inbounds.

Sooners boost in-game entertainment for home playoff game

Not only did 50 Cent perform at the end of the third quarter, but OU also added a plethora of new elements to its in-game entertainment.

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The Sooners put on an on-field light show pregame.

OU also held an on-field light show, as well as a drone show in the sky during halftime.

The contest was perhaps the biggest in stadium history and the latest game on the calendar ever played on Owen Field.

Following a 6-7 finish last year, the Sooners’ season ended Friday with 10 wins and a first-round playoff loss.

Colton Sulley covers the Oklahoma Sooners for The Oklahoman. Have a story idea for Colton? He can be reached at csulley@oklahoman.com or on X/Twitter at @colton_sulley. Support Colton’s work and that of other Oklahoman journalists by purchasing a digital subscription today at subscribe.oklahoman.com.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: OU football ousted by Alabama after losing big lead in CFP opener