The Oklahoma Sooners improved to 9-2 overall and 5-2 in the SEC in 2025 with a 17-6 victory over the Missouri Tigers in Week 13. OU's 11-point win at home avenged last year's crushing loss to Mizzou on the road, and it put the Sooners one step closer to making the College Football Playoff.
Oklahoma won another ugly, grimy, gritty football game, and that's been their identity in SEC play this season. Against a Missouri team welcoming back starting quarterback Beau Pribula from injury this week, OU's defense had another stellar performance, and it was enough to offset another tough day at the office on offense.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThe Sooners got the job done after two big wins away from home, and they came back to Norman to get their fifth ranked victory of the year. One win remains between OU and a very likely spot in the playoff: a home game next week versus LSU.
For now, it's time to highlight the stars of Saturday's important win, as Missouri was more than capable of knocking the Sooners down and out. Here are three players who stepped up to the challenge against Mizzou.
1. Peyton Bowen, DB
NORMAN, OKLAHOMA - NOVEMBER 25: Defensive back Peyton Bowen #22 of the Oklahoma Sooners blocks a 35-yard field goal attempt by kicker Robert Meyer #88 of the Missouri Tigers in the second quarter at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium on November 22, 2025 in Norman, Oklahoma. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images)One of he most important plays of this week's win was a blocked field goal attempt by defensive back Peyton Bowen. With the Tigers up 3-0, and looking to make it 6-0, Bowen blocked the kick, and it was the moment that swung momentum in OU's favor. Of course, he played well at safety in the back end of Oklahoma's defense, not allowing big plays over the top from Pribula and the Mizzou offense.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisement2. Isaiah Sategna III, WR
Oklahoma Sooners wide receiver Isaiah Sategna III (5) runs to the end zone after catching a pass in front of Missouri Tigers safety Santana Banner (15) during a college football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners (OU) and the Missouri Tigers at Gaylord Family à Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Okla., on Saturday, Nov. 22, 2025.Bowen's blocked field goal was big, but it's what the Sooners did next that helped swing the game. On third down, wide receiver Isaiah Sategna III caught a pass over the middle from quarterback John Mateer, and raced up the sideline for an 87-yard touchdown. It was the play that gave the Sooners a lead they'd never relinquish, and a great route by Sategna allowed him to show off his world-class speed.
3. Owen Heinecke, LB
Nov 22, 2025; Norman, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma Sooners linebacker Owen Heinecke (38) reacts during the first half against the Missouri Tigers at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn ImagesThe focus defensively for the Sooners in this game was to slow down running back Ahmad Hardy and the ground game for the Tigers. After not being able to do it on the first drive of the game, Oklahoma locked in and gave up just three points for the rest of the day after the opening-drive field goal. OU's front played extremely well, but it was inside linebacker Owen Heinecke who flashed multiple times against that potent Mizzou run game. Heinecke led the Sooners in tackles with 10 in a defensive masterpiece from Oklahoma.
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This article originally appeared on Sooners Wire: 3 stars for the Sooners in the victory over the Tigers
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