KNOXVILLE, Tenn. -- John Mateer threw for 159 yards and ran for 80 yards and a clinching touchdown with less than two minutes to play to lead No. 18 Oklahoma to a 33-27 win over No. 14 Tennessee on Saturday night.
The Sooners (7-2, 3-2 Southeastern Conference) capitalized on three turnovers by the Volunteers (6-3, 3-3) to score 13 points.
R Mason Thomas returned a fumble 71 yards for a score, and Tate Sandell hit two field goals after interceptions. Sandell had four field goals in the game -- including two from 55 yards and one from 51.
"Our guys matched (Tennessee's) physicality, and then some," Oklahoma coach Brent Venables said. "The pile constantly went in our direction. All those piles that fall forward add up to a lot."
Joey Aguilar threw for 393 yards and a pair of touchdowns to Braylon Staley, who caught five passes in all for 75 yards.
Though Tennessee dominated the first-half offensive stats (255-99), the Vols' mistakes allowed Oklahoma to lead 16-10.
"We didn't handle (Oklahoma's defense) well enough," said Tennessee coach Josh Heupel. "We gave them 16 points in the first half."
Mike Matthews caught a 15-yard TD pass from Aguilar with 1:56 to play to cut the difference to 26-24. After the Sooners recovered the onside kick, Xavier Robinson ran 43 yards and intentionally went down at the 1-yard line. Mateer's 1-yard run iced the victory.
Injuries in the defensive backfield caught up with the Volunteers. The disappointing loss in front of a frenzied crowd ended the Vols' hopes to repeat as a CFP qualifier. The Vols will have an extra week to recover before trying to finish the season on a positive note. Oklahoma also has an open date before the Sooners play at Alabama on Nov. 15.