Oklahoma-Illinois State: LIVE In-Game Observations

NORMAN — Sooners on SI offers real-time observations from Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium as the No. 18-ranked Sooners open the 2025 season against the Illinois State Redbirds.

8:05 p.m.

Final stats:

Tonight's highlights:

7:28 p.m.

The running back everyone thought would be RB1 for the Sooners this year is finally – early in the fourth quarter – getting his first action.

Jaydn Ott is on the field to open this possession, and he’s stuck with a 3-yard loss.

– JH

7:19 p.m.

Third-quarter stats:

7:17 p.m.

Fodje got bailed out with a pass interference that canceled out his holding flag.

The Sooners moved the chains on the last play of the third quarter and will open the fourth on the 28-yard line with a 21-3 lead.

— RC

7:14 p.m.

Kent’s contributions continue for the OU offense as he hauls in a 7-yard pass on fourth-and-1. That gives Mateer 259 yards on the night. Why is that significant? Last year’s season-high passing yards (by Michael Hawkins) was 247.

– JH

7:10 p.m.

Mateer looked really quick escaping the pocket on that first down play from midfield, but it was transfer TE Carson Kent sliding over to pick up a blitzing linebacker that saved the play and maybe the drive.

– JH

7:05 p.m.

Blaylock’s injury has opened the door for playing time from sophomore RB Xavier Robinson. He played the last series, and starts this series instead of Jaydn Ott. Jovantae Barnes hasn’t had a good night, with just 9 yards on seven carries.

– JH

7:04 p.m.

The shutout bid is dead. Illinois State converts the interception into a 33-yard field goal by Hayden Futch. It’s 21-3.

– JH

7:05 p.m.

Good response by the OU defense. Handed a short field, the Sooners only allowed the Redbirds to gain six yards.

Odd choice by Illinois State to settle for the field goal on fourth-and-4, but the Redbirds are on the board.

Oklahoma on top 21-3 with 6:26 left in the third quarter.

— RC

7:02 p.m.

Tory Blaylock has had a fabulous college debut, but after that last run, it appeared he injured his right shoulder. After spending the last few minutes in the injury tent on the sideline, he’s now being taken to the locker room for further evaluation.

– JH

7:01 p.m.

John Mateer has thrown his first interceptions as a Sooner.

His pass was just right of Burks’ outstretched hands, and the Redbirds have the ball on the OU 22-yard line.

— RC

7:00 p.m.

Running back Tory Blaylock tucked into the injury tent after that run.

— RC

6:56 p.m.

Stanford transfer Jake Maikkula has entered the game at center.

A pair of Stanford transfers on the line right now, with Baklenko at left tackle.

— RC

6:55 p.m.

Tonight’s attendance (83,218) shows that tehse folks are starved for some elite football.

Sooners lead 21-0 after a punt to open the second half.

– JH

6:53 p.m.

Oklahoma’s announced attendance for tonight’s contest: 83,218.

6:50 p.m.

Well, that drive was a dud.

A hold called on Kanak killed the possession.

Jacob Ulrich in to punt from his own 1-yard line.

— RC

6:49 p.m.

Fodje starts the second half at right guard and Nwaiwu stays at left guard.

— RC

6:42 p.m.

Not a great first couple of snaps for the OU defense out of the half, but Taylor Wein will make Illinois State work out of second-and-long after a quarterback hurry.

— RC

6:20 p.m.

Halftime stats:

6:17 p.m.

The Sooners will head into halftime with 292 yards of total offense. Mateer has passed for 227 yards, and he only has three incompletions.

Jaren Kanak is 16 yards away from 100 receiving yards in his first outing as a tight end in Norman.

— RC

6:14 p.m.

Tory Blaylock finishes off the touchdown drive with a 5-yard run.

After a shaky pair of opening possessions from the OU offense, Arbuckle’s unit has put together three touchdown drives.

The Sooners are now on top 21-0 with 51 seconds left in the first half.

6:08 p.m.

Won’t get to see Tate Sandell attempt a 50-yarder on this drive.

Tory Blaylock picks up third-and-14 for the Sooenrs. Isaiah Sategna deserves an assist for a really nice block to open a large lane for Blaylock to run through.

Oklahoma will face second-and-12 from the 21-yard line on the other side of the two-minute timeout.

— RC

6:04 p.m.

True freshman Ryan Fodje is in at right guard and Febechi Nwaiwu was moved to left guard for this drive.

— RC

5:57 p.m.

Kobie McKinzie has been everywhere in this first half. Oklahoma State transfer Kendal Daniels has also looked lively to start this contest.

Isaiah Sategna with another nice punt return… but Danny Okoye had a pretty obvious block in the back.

He got two earfuls from defensive ends coach Miguel Chavis on the sideline.

The Sooners will set up shop at their own 19.

— RC

5:50 p.m.

Put John Mateer on your official Week 1 Heisman watch. He just threaded a perfect pass to Kanak for 48 yards, then zipped a perfect throw to Burks over the middle, and Burks separated for an easy 27-yard touchdown.

This doesn't even resemble last year's offense because, thanks to Ben Arbuckle, Mateer, Kanak, a healthy Burks and more, it isn't.

– JH

5:50 p.m.

Redemption for Kanak!

He hauls in a 48-yard reception to set OU up on the 27-yard line.

Two plays later, Deion Burks catches a 27-yard touchdown pass to put the Sooners up 13-0.

Sandell’s extra point was good, and the Sooners lead 14-0 with 11:34 left until halftime.

— RC

5:47 p.m.

True freshman Ryan Fodje at right guard to start this OU possession.

– JH

5:48 p.m.

As the Sooners offense takes the field, it’s started to rain in Norman. Not hard enough that it should disrupt things on the field, but if it continues I’m not sure how many students are going to stick around for the second half.

— RC

5:44 p.m.

Kobie McKinzie absolutely obliterated Illinois State Mason King on second down. Had King not grabbed McKinzie’s ankle, he might have gotten the sack. David Stone was also close to a sack, but it set up third-and-long.

Courtland Guillory was able to blanket Daniel Sobkowicz, and the Redbirds punted.

Sategna posted another nice punt return, too. The Sooners will take over at the 23-yard line after the timeout.

— RC

5:39 p.m.

First quarter stats:

5:35 p.m.

Plenty of rotations to start the third defensive drive.

Adepoju Adebawore in at defensive end, his first action of the day. Both Sammy Omosigho and Owen Heinecke in at linebacker, and Robert Spears-Jennings returned to his spot at safety.

Sooners take a 7-0 lead into the second quarter.

— RC

5:30 p.m.

John Mateer’s first touchdown at Oklahoma is a 7-yard touchdown run.

He had completions of 28 yards (Burks) and 27 yards (Jacob Jordan) on that drive, but ultimately Ben Arbuckle sent all the tight ends in and Mateer got around the left side of the defense for the score. Credit to Keontez Lewis for the decisive block in the end zone.

UTSA transfer Tate Sandell knocks the extra point through, and OU is up 7-0 with 39 seconds left in the first quarter.

5:29 p.m.

After a good catch over the middle and push through tacklers, a great third-down pickup by freshman running back Tory Blaylock to keep the Sooners’ drive alive.

Two plays later, Mateer finds Jacob Jordan over the middle for 27 yards to the goal line.

After going 5-for-5 passing on the drive, Mateer finishes off the scoring drive himself with a 7-yard touchdown run. Quite the drive for the Sooners’ new QB.

– JH

5:25 p.m.

Great throw from John Mateer to Deion Burks down the right sideline for 28 yards and a beautiful one-handed catch by Burks, and a really sweet slalom run by Mateer for 7 yards on second-and-6.

– JH

5:24 p.m.

Luke Baklenko is in at left tackle to open Oklahoma’s third drive. Jacob Sexton, who started, is in the injury tent. Chris Plank reports his left knee is being looked at.

– JH

5:24 p.m.

Stanford transfer Luke Baklenko is in for Jacob Sexton at left tackle to start the third offensive drive of the day.

— RC

5:19 p.m.

Welcome back, Gentry Williams.

He makes a nice tackle in the backfield to blow up a quick pass — 5-yard loss.

— RC

5:16 p.m.

Well, things looked good initially on third-and-7. Mateer hit Jaren Kanak over the middle for a first down, but the linebacker-turned-tight end fumbled the ball. Illinois State takes over at its 40-yard line.

— RC

5:10 p.m.

Not shocking, but Jayden Jackson is getting great penetration from the interior.

Peyton Bowen got the quarterback hit on that second down play, but Jackson demolished the interior of Illinois State’s line so quarterback Tommy Rittenhouse couldn’t step up into the pocket.

Sategna set the offense up with nice field position courtesy of a 21-yard punt return.

The Sooners will get the ball on the 37-yard line after this media timeout.

— RC

5:08 p.m.

Complete defensive breakdown there on third-and-13. Owen Heinecke lined up in the B-gap and got blown off the football, and the result is a 24-yard run for a first down. Brent Venables’ defense isn’t supposed to spring those kinds of leaks … against an FCS team.

– JH

5:06 p.m.

Oklahoma’s starters on defense:

Jones-Williams-Jackson-Thomas

Daniels-McKinzie-Lewis

Williams-Boganowski-Bowen-Guillory

— RC

5:04 p.m.

It’s a three-and-out to start for Ben Arbuckle’s offense. Jovantae Barnes can’t break a tackle, and Jaren Kanak’s third-down catch goes for just 3 yards. Redbirds ball.

– JH

5:02 p.m.

Oklahoma’s starters on offense:

Sexton—Pierre-Louis—Everett—Nwaiwu—Howland

Lewis—Kanak—Sategna—Burks

Mateer—Barnes

— RC

5:00 p.m.

Gerald McCoy voiced the Game 1 intro video.

David Stone carried the Oklahoma flag onto the field.

The weather is perfect. The vibes are high in Norman. Redbirds won the toss, John Mateer is up first.

— RC

4:56 p.m.

Oklahoma’s seven permanent captains (quarterback John Mateer, center Troy Everett, safety Robert Spears-Jennings, defensive lineman Gracen Halton, defensive tackle Damonic Williams, defensive lineman R Mason Thomas and linebacker Kip Lewis) have reported to the field for the coin toss as the hype video begins to play. Sooner Nation is jacked.

4:44 p.m.

Looks like Bill Bedenbaugh at least knows who won't be available tonight. Three potential starters are out of the lineup, per Toby Rowland.

@TRowOU just said on #Sooners radio that Heath Ozaeta, Michael Fasusi and Derek Simmons are not available tonight.
— Mason Young (@Mason_Young_0) August 30, 2025

On Monday, Fasusi was listed as a co-starter at left tackle despite having reportedly fainted after practice last week. Simmons was listed as a co-starter at right tackle despite having missed most of preseason training camp with a concussion. Ozaeta was listed as a co-starter at left guard, where he started the back half of last season.

– John E. Hoover

4:34 p.m.

A slight adjustment to the pre-game routine if you care.

The coming together/arm-in-arm walk to the goal line is now happening toward the end of the warmup instead of right at the beginning.

More fans in the house for it, plenty of cheers as the Sooners march toward the end zone.

— RC

4:21 p.m.

The first offensive line group working in warmups from left to right:

Jacob Sexton—Eddy Pierre-Louis—Troy Everett—Febechi Nwaiwu—Logan Howland.

— RC

4:18 p.m.

Offensive linemen Michael Fasusi and Derek Simmons are both dressed and warming up, we’ll see if they play.

Of note: guard Heath Ozaeta and defensive back Jacobe Johnson are dressed, but they stood off to the side with the players who are out for the initial portion of OU’s stretching routine.

Offensive lineman Daniel Akinkunmi is not dressed today.

Depth Chart report, per the #Sooners beat.

Everybody on the depth chart is dressed and on the field.

Obviously, Eli Bowen, Javonnie Gibson, Jayden Gibson aren’t listed.@ryaber @BPrzybylo @_RyanChapman pic.twitter.com/Ph6PmdZ6lf
— Jesse Crittenden (@JesseCrittenden) August 30, 2025

— RC

4:06 p.m.

Running backs Jaydn Ott and Taylor Tatum are dressed out and catching punts.

Tatum did drop one, which is not the best sign, but he’s on the field going through warmups. Still waiting for the rest of the offense and the defense to hit the field.

— RC

3:45 p.m.

Fans are starting to enter the stadium and OU's special teams are on the field for warmups. Still a bit over an hour from kickoff in Norman, but ready to get this highly-anticipated season underway.

Offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle and quarterback John Mateer finally get to debut their offense at Oklahoma.

— RC