According to reporting from The Oklahoman, Oklahoma defeated New Mexico 7-6 on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026, at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, surviving a late missed field goal and enduring heavy boos from the home crowd over recurring offensive struggles.
Offensive Struggles Spark Crowd Frustration in Norman
Sooner fans voiced their displeasure throughout the first half, with boos intensifying as the offense repeatedly stalled. According to game updates filed by Jenni Carlson and Colton Sulley, Oklahoma’s possessions were hampered by running game issues, uneven playcalling, and missed opportunities. The Sooners got the ball back with 1:43 left in the first half and advanced to the New Mexico 23-yard line following a 9–yard run by Xavier Robinson. However, a subsequent rush up the middle gained nothing, forcing quarterback John Mateer to spike the ball with no timeouts remaining to set up a field goal attempt.
Missed Field Goal Seals Narrow Halftime Margin
According to The Oklahoman’s live coverage, kicker Tate Sandell pushed a 41-yard field goal attempt wide right as time expired in the second quarter. It marked Sandell’s first miss of the season. The miss left Oklahoma with a razor-thin 7-6 lead at halftime over a New Mexico squad that capitalized on Sooner mistakes.
New Mexico’s lone first-half points came via a 24-yard field goal by Grant Glasgow with 4:00 remaining in the second quarter. The scoring drive was aided by a 40-yard pass from the Lobos to tight end Cade Keith, who got behind freshman Sooner cornerback Markel Ford. Later in the quarter, New Mexico added another field goal following an interception by Frankie Edwards—Mateer’s second turnover of the half—which defensive tackle David Stone and PJ Adebawore countered with a sack to hold the Lobos to three points.
First-Half Scoring Highlights and Roster Notes
Oklahoma’s lone touchdown of the evening came with 13:49 left in the second quarter. John Mateer connected with tight end Hayden Hansen on consecutive passes, starting with an 11-yard conversion on 3rd-and-11. On the very next play, Mateer found Hansen again for a 29-yard touchdown where Hansen spun through defenders to break the plane, marking his first career score as a Sooner.
Pregame warmups featured notable absences for Oklahoma. Offensive lineman Michael Fasusi did not play after appearing to re-injure his shoulder against UTEP, with Ryan Fodje taking first-team left tackle snaps instead. Receivers Jer’Michael Carter and Trell Harris were absent, with head coach Brent Venables noting earlier in the week that Harris would miss extended time due to an injury sustained against Michigan. Linebacker Kip Lewis also sat out in street clothes.
Did you know? Entering the Week 3 matchup, New Mexico ranked seventh nationally in scoring (54.0 points per game) and ninth in scoring defense (7.0 points per game) under head coach Jason Eck, coming off a 9-4 campaign last season.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the score of the Oklahoma vs. New Mexico game?
According to reporting from The Oklahoman, Oklahoma defeated New Mexico 7-6.
When and where was the game played?
The game took place on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026, at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman.
Why did the Oklahoma offense face boos from the crowd?
Fans expressed frustration over a touchdown-less drought, running game inconsistencies, uneven playcalling, and a stalled drive at the end of the first half that resulted in a missed field goal.
What are your thoughts on the Sooners’ offensive performance? Join the conversation by dropping a comment below, and subscribe to our newsletter for weekly college football updates.