DALLAS – No. 18 Oklahoma dropped the Allstate Red River Rivalry at the Cotton Bowl on Saturday to No. 1 Texas 34-3 in the first meeting as Southeastern Conference members.

True freshman Michael Hawkins Jr. became the first true freshman quarterback in program history to start against Texas, finishing 19-for-30 with 148 passing yards. Hawkins added 27 yards on the ground while true freshman wide receiver Zion Kearney led the team with four receptions for 45 yards.

Senior defensive back Billy Bowman Jr. opened the game with an interception, picking off Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers on the Longhorns' first drive. Bowman's interception marked the second straight year OU intercepted Texas on the first possession.

The Sooners (4-2, 1-2 SEC) tallied the first points on a 42-yard field goal by redshirt fifth year kicker Tyler Keltner with 10 seconds remaining in the first quarter.

Texas (6-0, 2-0 SEC) responded with three of touchdowns in the second quarter and led 21-3 at halftime. UT tacked on 13 points on a pair of field goals, recording one in the third and fourth quarters, and a 1-yard touchdown rush by Ewers with under six minutes left in the fourth.

True freshman defensive back Eli Bowen made his first career start and logged a team-high eight tackles, notching his first career tackle for loss. Bowen started alongside his brother and sophomore defensive back Peyton Bowen, becoming the first brothers to start a game for Oklahoma since 1987 (offensive linemen Anthony and Jon Phillips), and the first brothers to start a game on defense since 1975 (defensive linemen Lee Roy and Dewey Selmon).

Senior defensive end Ethan Downs finished with three tackles and a sack, taking down Ewers on the first play. Junior safety Robert Spears-Jennings forced a fumble in the second quarter, notching his team-high third forced fumble of the season.

UP NEXT

Oklahoma hosts South Carolina at Gaylord Family – Oklahoma Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 19 at 11:45 a.m. on SEC Network.