Mateer throws 3 TD passes as Oklahoma rolls past UTEP 51-0 in season opener

No. 6 Oklahoma defeated UTEP 51-0 on September 4 in a dominant season opener, improving to 1-0. Quarterback John Mateer completed 11 of 17 passes for 225 yards and three touchdowns, while the Sooners' defense held the Miners scoreless.

Isaiah Sategna led the offensive explosion with 215 all-purpose yards, per Sporting News: 115 on punt returns (including an 88-yard touchdown), 76 receiving yards (including a 34-yard touchdown reception), and 24 kickoff return yards. Running back Lloyd Avant carried 15 times for 79 yards and a touchdown, setting the offensive tone with 32 yards on Oklahoma's first three plays.

Oklahoma built a commanding 27-0 halftime lead. Avant scored the opening touchdown with a 1-yard run with 9:16 left in the first quarter after an 76-yard, 12-play drive. Tight end Rocky Beers, listed at 6-foot-5 and 240 pounds, caught a 40-yard touchdown pass in the first quarter to push the lead to 21-0. Mateer completed 9 of 13 passes for 143 yards and one score before halftime, while Avant rushed for 51 yards and a touchdown on nine carries in that span.

The Sooners' offense slowed considerably in the second quarter, per the reporting, but resumed momentum in the third. After a fumble recovery at the UTEP 34-yard line, Mateer threw a 34-yard touchdown pass to Sategna. Later, with 8:22 remaining in the third quarter, Mateer connected with Virginia transfer Trell Harris on a 48-yard touchdown pass to push Oklahoma's lead to 41-0. Harris's reception was his first as a Sooner. UTEP attempted a 41-yard field goal with 4:51 left in the fourth quarter but missed. Oklahoma preserved the shutout.

Jason Witten, a former Dallas Cowboys tight end, made his debut as Oklahoma's tight ends coach in the game. Oklahoma outgained UTEP 401 yards to 198 total yards. The Sooners travel to Michigan on September 12 in their next contest.