FORT WORTH: The Oklahoma Sooners ended their season on a disappointing note, falling to the Navy Midshipmen 21-20 at the Armed Forces Bowl held at Amon G. Carter Stadium. This loss capped off a lackluster year for the Sooners, leaving them with a 6-7 record and marking their third consecutive defeat in bowl games.
The game began with promise for Oklahoma. After receiving the opening kickoff, the Sooners embarked on a nine-play drive culminating in a 21-yard touchdown run by Gavin Sawchuk. Momentum seemingly favored Oklahoma, and their lead quickly doubled as quarterback Michael Hawkins showcased his skills with an impressive 56-yard touchdown pass to Zion Kearney, putting the Sooners up 14-0 early.
Despite their strong start, Oklahoma's fortunes began to change dramatically. The Sooners failed to maintain their offensive rhythm, managing just four dropped passes, two of which were pivotal missed opportunities. With the game still within reach and their 14-7 lead, the Sooners faced increasing pressure from Navy's defense.
Navy, known for its methodical triple-option offense, clawed back with expert execution. The Midshipmen capitalized on Oklahoma's mistakes, particularly after Hawkins fumbled on the first offensive snap following Navy's tying touchdown—a remarkable 95-yard run by quarterback Blake Horvath, which set the Armed Forces Bowl record.
By the time the third quarter winded down, Navy had shifted the momentum entirely. They executed flawlessly, scoring 21 unanswered points, leaving Oklahoma on the back foot. Venables’ team struggled with effective play-calling, and opportunities evaporated as quickly as they arose. But the Sooners responded with determination late in the game.
With just six seconds left, Hawkins completed the drive by finding tight end Jake Roberts for another touchdown, drawing the Sooners to within one point of Navy. Opting for the two-point conversion instead of tying the game, Hawkins was sacked, thwarting their final effort and securing victory for Navy.
Navy's win marked their sixth 10-win season historically, raising their record to 10-3. "Navy clinched their sixth 10-win season, underscoring the significance of this victory," said one sports analyst following the game.
For Oklahoma, this game was emblematic of the season's inconsistency. They began by clearly establishing offensive advantages but faltered as errors mounted. Hawkins’ ability to improvise on the field was showcased, yet it couldn't overcome the collective issues the team faced, highlighted by costly drop passes and inadequate short-yardage execution.
Oklahoma’s struggles were accentuated by defensive lapses leaving them vulnerable to big plays. The Sooners’ inability to contain Navy allowed for substantial yardage gains on just three plays amounting to 143 yardage—a staggering statistic which contrasted sharply with their game plan.
After the defeat, the future remained uncertain for Oklahoma under Venables. The pressure builds as the Sooners look to regroup after another losing season, relying heavily on incoming transfers to fill gaps left by underperforming players this past year. "Officially, the Sooners ended with seven drops this match, which highlighted the necessity of bolstering their receiving corps moving forward," commented another analyst.
Reflecting on the season, the Sooners must now look to address their weaknesses and capitalize on potential as they prepare for what is expected to be another intensive offseason. The missed opportunities, combined with their bowl loss, will serve as motivation as they look to build back their reputation next fall. The question now lingers: can Oklahoma return to form under Venables next season, or will the struggles of 2024 leave lasting impacts?
