Michigan
1-1 , 0-0
Oklahoma
2-0 , 0-0
Wolverines Held Off by Sooners in Setback at No. 18 Oklahoma
9/6/2025 11:45:00 PM | Football
Site: Norman, Okla. (Gaylord Family - Oklahoma Memorial Stadium)
Score: #18 Oklahoma 24, #15 Michigan 13
Records: U-M (1-1), Oklahoma (2-0)
Attendance: 84,107
Next U-M Event: Saturday, Sept. 13 -- vs. Central Michigan (Michigan Stadium), Noon (TV: Big Ten Network)
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- The No. 15-ranked University of Michigan football team was outplayed to the tune of a 24-13 loss during its first road game of the season Saturday night (Sept. 6) against Oklahoma at Gaylord Family - Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. With a chance to tie the game heading into the fourth quarter, U-M was outhandled by eight minutes of clock in the game's final frame and took its first loss of the season.
The Wolverines were unable to sustain much offensive momentum for three of the game's four quarters, having posted 143 total yards and all 13 of its points in the third quarter and only 145 yards in the other three.
Michigan's lone touchdown came on a 75-yard rush by Justice Haynes on the first play from scrimmage in the third quarter. Haynes finished the game with 125 rushing yards over 19 carries -- his second straight game of at least that many yards.
The Maize and Blue defense allowed 408 yards to the Sooners in the contest and was outgained for three of the four quarters. Ernest Hausmann led the way for the Wolverines in tackles (11), while TJ Metcalf and Cole Sullivan each recorded turnovers in the effort.
Following an opening-drive touchdown by Oklahoma, the Wolverines and Sooners entered a back-and-forth defensive contest. The low-scoring first frame was capped off by a late-quarter interception by Metcalf at the U-M 38-yard line -- his first at Michigan.
On their fourth offensive drive, the Wolverines managed to string first downs together using the rushing attack. On a drive that saw Michigan run the ball on eight of 12 plays and collect four first downs, the Maize and Blue offense was unable to capitalize with points due to a missed field goal try.
With 3:17 remaining in the first half, the Sooners put together a 10-play, 80-yard touchdown drive to move ahead of the Wolverines 14-0 as the teams headed into the break.
After being held scoreless over the first two quarters, the Wolverines opened the second half with a score on their first play from scrimmage -- a 75-yard touchdown on a cutback rush by Haynes, marking U-M's longest offensive play since 2022. It was Haynes' third run of 50-plus yards in the first two games.
After the teams traded punts, Oklahoma responded with a touchdown of its own, a 10-yard rushing score, to again extend its lead to 14 points.
The Wolverines were forced to punt on their next drive and capitalized on a Sooners mistake -- a fumble secured by Sullivan at the Oklahoma 31-yard line and converted into three points four plays later on a 42-yard Dominic Zvada field goal.
Wolverine defenders Jaden Mangham and Dominic Nichols shared a crucial sack, which forced Oklahoma to punt on its next drive. This led to an eight-play, 60-yard scoring drive, culminating in a 35-yard field goal. Crucial to the drive was a 44-yard connection between Bryce Underwood and Donaven McCulley, who reached over an Oklahoma defender to secure the contested catch. The drive narrowed the Sooners' lead to eight points as the third quarter came to a close.
A missed Sooners field goal left the Wolverines one touchdown and one two-point conversion away from tying, but they were unable to sustain any momentum for the remainder of the fourth quarter. Oklahoma drained 8:27 of clock on its final offensive drive and secured its victory with a 21-yard field goal to move ahead 24-13 with less than two minutes remaining in the game.
Michigan wraps its non-conference schedule next Saturday (Sept. 13) against Central Michigan. The game is set for a noon kickoff at Michigan Stadium and will be broadcast live on Big Ten Network.
Team Stats
U-M 0, OKL 7
OKL - Burks,Deion 9 yd pass from Mateer,John (Sandell,Tate kick) 12 plays, 75 yards, TOP 05:00
U-M 0, OKL 14
OKL - Mateer,John 2 yd run (Sandell,Tate kick), 10 plays, 80 yards, TOP 02:55
U-M 7, OKL 14
U-M - Haynes,Justice 75 yd run (Zvada,Dominic kick), 1 plays, 75 yards, TOP 00:11
U-M 7, OKL 21
OKL - Mateer,John 10 yd run (Sandell,Tate kick), 5 plays, 51 yards, TOP 01:55
U-M 10, OKL 21
U-M - Zvada,Dominic 42 yd field goal 4 plays, 8 yards, TOP 01:30
U-M 13, OKL 21
U-M - Zvada,Dominic 35 yd field goal 8 plays, 60 yards, TOP 03:20
U-M 13, OKL 24
OKL - Sandell,Tate 21 yd field goal 16 plays, 78 yards, TOP 08:27
