MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — With his Sooners down 21 points at two junctures Saturday night, OU coach Lincoln Riley opted to kick a pair of 26-yard field goals rather than keep his offense on the field.
The first came with 7:30 left in the second quarter when Oklahoma trailed Alabama 28-7. The Sooners faced fourth-and-five at Alabama's nine-yard line. OU kicker Austin Seibert made the kick to cut the deficit to 28-10.
Then with OU trailing 31-10 with 9:42 left in the third quarter, Riley called on Seibert rather than having his offense attempt a fourth-and-six. Seibert again made a 26-yard attempt, making it a 31-13 game.