UPDATE: Jackson Arnold and the Oklahoma Sooners opened the season with a 51-3 rout of the Temple Owls in Week 1 of the college football season on Friday night in Norman.
NORMAN —Oklahoma football opens its 2024 season —its first in the SEC —against Temple at 6 p.m. Friday night at Gaylord Family —Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. The game will be televised on ESPN.
It will be the first home start for quarterback Jackson Arnold, the final home opener for linebacker Danny Stutsman and the debuts of Seth Littrell's offense and Zac Alley's defense. It will also be the first game as a Sooner for several high-profile transfers including Damonic Williams, Deion Burks and Febechi Nwaiwu. Freshmen Jayden Jackson, Eli Bowen and David Stone —among others —figure to play significant roles as well.
OU and Temple are tied 1-1 all-time, with the Sooners winning the only meeting in Norman. It will be the first meeting between the programs since 1942 and is the first of a three-game series. The Sooners will play in Philadelphia next season with the Owls returning to Norman in 2028.
More:OU football celebrates 100 years of The House that Bennie Built. Here's how it came to be.
Watch Oklahoma vs. Temple live with Fubo (free trial)
Oklahoma vs Temple score updates
| . | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | F |
| TEMPLE | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | — |
| OKLAHOMA | 17 | 17 | 3 | 14 | — |
More:Jalil Farooq injury update: OU football receiver out 6-8 weeks with broken foot
FINAL: Oklahoma 51, Temple 3
The Sooners' first game as an SEC program goes exactly how you would think it would.
OU holds Temple to just 197 yards of offense in a 51-3 rout.
—Jeff Patterson, Staff writer
More:OU football vs Temple takeaways: Jackson Arnold's strong start, defense carry Sooners
3:11 left in 4Q: OU 51, Temple 3 | Michael Hawkins, Taylor Tatum lead Sooners' TD drive
Backup quarterback Michael Hawkins Jr. and running back Taylor Tatum led the Sooners down the field quickly on a nine-play, 85-yard scoring drive.
Tatum's 7-yard touchdown run makes it 51-3 OU with 3:11 to go.
—Jeff Patterson, Staff writer
More:Jackson Arnold passes test as OU football goes 'vanilla' in rout of Temple | Mussatto
7:34 left in 4Q: OU 44, Temple 3 | Jayden Hardy interception gives OU defense six turnovers
It's been a rough night for Temple quarterback Forrest Brock.
He airmails a pass that is intercepted by Jayden Hardy near the goal line for Temple's sixth turnover of the night.
OU takes over at the 15 after two penalties. It's 44-3 with 7:34 to go.
Brock is 10-for-23 passing for 110 yards with two interceptions.
—Jeff Patterson, Staff writer
More:Michael Hawkins Jr. makes OU football debut in Week 1 game vs Temple
11:44 left in 4Q: OU 44, Temple 3 | Sooners return fumbled punt for first TD of second half
The Sooners' offense has hit a bump in the road in the second half, but the defense and special teams keep humming along.
Jaren Kanak scored on a 21-yard fumble return after Temple's Dante Wright coughed up a punt return.
OU leads 44-3 with 11:44 left to go.
—Jeff Patterson, Staff writer
More:OU football legend Brian Bosworth teams up with Quinn Ewers for Dr Pepper commercial
End 3Q: OU 37, Temple 3 | Sooners’ can’t get much done in third quarter
After scoring 17 points in each of the first two quarters, Tyler Keltner’s field goal was the only scoring for OU in the third.
The Sooners managed just 64 yards in the third, with just 20 of those coming through the air.
OU hasn’t converted on any of their 10 third-down attempts in the game, including three in the third.
But the Sooners’ defense allowed just 57 yards in the quarter, to maintain their lead.
—Ryan Aber, Staff writer
More:Jalil Farooq injury update: OU football receiver exits Temple game in 1Q
7:53 left in 3Q: OU 37, Temple 0 | Tyler Keltner does it again
Tyler Keltner hit his third field goal of the game, this one a 24-yarder, to put the Sooners up 37-0 less than halfway through the third.
Keltner has made all three of his field goals, also making a 50-yarder and a 42-yarder in the first half.
The Sooners continue to struggle on third downs, going 0 for 9.
—Ryan Aber, Staff writer
Halftime: OU 34, Temple 0 | Sooners force fourth turnover; Deion Burks takes advantage
The Sooners’ defense continued to force the issue against Temple’s offense after the Owls got the ball back deep in their own territory with 1:38 remaining before halftime.
Gracen Halton knocked the ball free from Joquez Smith, and it was recovered by Billy Bowman.
The turnover was the first of the first half forced by OU’s defense.
Two plays later, Jackson Arnold hit Deion Burks for a 5-yard touchdown for Burks’ third touchdown of the first half.
The Sooners lead 34-0 at the half.
—Ryan Aber, Staff writer
5:28 left in 2Q: OU 27, Temple 0 | Deion Burks scores again
It’s no surprise that Deion Burks has been heavily involved in the Sooners’ offense from the start.
The Purdue transfer was expected to be one of the biggest weapons in the passing game for OU.
Late in the second quarter, Burks raced to the corner of the end zone and hauled in Jackson Arnold’s floating pass there to put the Sooners up 27-0.
Burks caught a 14-yard touchdown in the first quarter.
It’s the second two-touchdown game of Burks’ career. He also had two in last season’s opener for the Boilermakers against Fresno State.
—Ryan Aber, Staff writer
Second quarter: OU 20, Temple 0 | Tyler Keltner hits 42-yarder
Tyler Keltner’s strong OU debut continued in the second quarter, hitting a 42-yard field goal to put the Sooners up 20-0.
Keltner hit a 50-yarder in the first quarter.
OU twice converted on fourth down on the drive, and are 3 for 3 on fourth down in the game.
—Ryan Aber, Staff writer
2Q: OU 17, Temple 0 | Sooners’ defense keeps forcing turnovers
Dante Wright’s rough stretch continued for Temple.
On the previous drive, a pass intended for Wright wound up being intercepted.
Early in the second quarter, after a reception, OU safety Robert Spears-Jennings came up to hit Wright shot of the first-down mark, knocking the ball free.
Spears-Jennings recovered it himself for the third turnover forced by the Sooners’ defense in the game.
—Ryan Aber, Staff writer
OU receiver Jalil Farooq heads to locker room
OU football coach Brent Venables approached wide receiver Jalil Farooq, who appeared injured on the sideline.
Minutes later, Farooq limped off the sideline into the locker room. It appeared to be a "left leg injury" for the senior and "didn't seem too severe," according to OU's in-house radio.
Farooq caught a 47-yard pass from Jackson Arnold in the first quarter.
Farooq is the second Sooners player to exit the game and head to the locker room, joining center Branson Hickman. OU leads Temple 17-0 in the first quarter on ESPN.
—Colton Sulley, Staff writer
1Q: OU 17, Temple 0 | Tyler Keltner drills 50-yard field goal
Field-goal kicks were an issue for OU much of last season, with Zach Schmit struggling at times.
Florida State transfer Tyler Keltner, who Brent Venables said would get the first chance this season, made the most of his first try in crimson and cream.
Keltner drilled a 50-yard field goal late in the first quarter after the Sooners’ drive stalled out after Kani Walker’s interception..
—Ryan Aber, Staff writer
1Q: Oklahoma 14, Temple 0 | Kendel Dolby’s tip leads to Kani Walker interception
Kendel Dolby not only broke up Forrest Brock’s late first-quarter pass to Dante Wright, but Dolby kept the ball alive to turn it into an even bigger play.
Dolby broke up the pass, then batted it again, backwards into the hands of Kendel Dolby for the Sooners’ second forced turnover of the second quarter.
Dolby returned the pick 10 yards to the Temple 34.
—Ryan Aber, Staff writer
First quarter: OU 14, Temple 0 | Branson Hickman leaves the game, OU stretches lead
One of the biggest question marks coming into the game was about the Sooners’ offensive line, which was an almost entirely different group than in 2023.
One of the key additions to the group was center Branson Hickman, who transferred from SMU after spring ball.
But Hickman’s debut might’ve been short-lived.
Less than halfway through the first quarter, Hickman went down with an apparent ankle injury, being helped to the sideline.
Geirean Hatchett, who had been playing guard, slid over to center while the Sooners shuffled things around a bit elsewhere on the line and brought in Spencer Brown.
Two plays after the injury stoppage, Jackson Arnold hit Deion Burks for a 14-yard score to put the Sooners up 14-0 with 8:07 remaining in the first quarter.
—Ryan Aber, Staff writer
More:Branson Hickman injury update: OU football offensive lineman exits Temple game in 1Q
First quarter: Ethan Downs forces fumble; Sooners take over
OU’s defensive line is expected to be one of the keys to the Sooners’ defense this season, with several new faces who are expected to make big impacts.
But it was two returners who teamed up to force the first turnover of the season.
Ethan Downs knocked the ball out of Owls’ quarterback Forrest Brock’s grasp on second-and-10 on Temple’s second drive of the game. Da’Jon Terry recovered at the Temple 43, setting the Sooners up in strong scoring position.
—Ryan Aber, Staff writer
First quarter: Jackson Arnold, Sooners strike quick
Tight end wasn’t an incredibly productive position for OU last season.
It got off to a good start Friday, with the Sooners getting on the board quickly with a 14-yard touchdown reception by Bauer Sharp from Jackson Arnold.
The Sooners moved the ball down the field quickly but had to convert on fourth-and-1 from the 16 with Gavin Sawchuk picking up two yards to keep the drive alive.
A play later, Arnold found Sharp just outside the end zone for the touchdown.
—Ryan Aber, Staff writer
More:College Football Playoff predictions, picks for 2024 season: Who will win national title?
First quarter: Jayden Jackson starts as a freshman for OU
Jayden Jackson became the first true freshman to start at defensive tackle since Tommie Harris in 2001.
Jackson became just the fourth true freshman to start at the position in OU history, joining Harris, Corey Callens (1997) and Marcus Lowe (1987).
The Sooners’ held Temple to a three-and-out on the game’s first drive.
—Ryan Aber, Staff writer
Baker Mayfield narrates OU football hype video
OU's hype video, with Baker Mayfield as the narrator, for its first game in the SEC had a simple message: "This is where winning was invented."
Pregame update: Dasan McCullough among Sooners' inactives
Weakside linebacker Dasan McCullough, listed as one of three potential starters at the position, alongside Kip Lewis and Lewis Carter, is not dressed out for Friday's game.
Other inactives include defensive back Makari Vickers.
Also on the offensive line, Geirean Hatchett was working at left guard with the first-team offensive line while Jacob Sexton, listed as the starter at the spot, worked at left tackle. Michael Tarquin was working at right tackle.
—Ryan Aber, Staff writer
Oklahoma vs Temple time today
- Date:Friday, Aug. 30
- Time:6 p.m., CDT
- Location: Gaylord Family —Oklahoma Memorial Stadium, Norman, Oklahoma
More:How does OU handle hosting rare Friday football game? It's an opportunity and challenge
What channel is Oklahoma vs Temple game on today?
- TV channel:ESPN
- Streaming:Fubo (free trial)
- Radio:KRXO-FM 107.7
Oklahoma vs Temple will broadcast nationally on ESPN in Week 1 of the 2024 college football season. Anish Shroff (play-by-play) and Andre Ware (analyst) will call the game from the booth at Oklahoma Memorial Stadium, with Paul Carcaterra reporting from the sidelines. Streaming options for the game include ESPN+ andFubo, which offers a free trial to new subscribers.
More:How will OU football's retooled offensive line work against Temple?
Oklahoma vs Temple history
- Series record: Tied, 101
- Oklahoma's last win: Nov. 23, 1940 (9-6)
- Temple last win: Nov. 21, 1942 (14-7)
More:Why Brent Venables' consistency, intense preparation will help lead OU football in SEC
Oklahoma vs Temple predictions
Ryan Aber, OU beat writer
OU 62, Temple 3
DON’T GIVE A HOOT
OU isn’t perfect by any means, but it’s a strong first step toward answering the questions that linger around theSooners. The biggest positive is the contributions of the defensive front to the dominant defensive performance, as they register multiple sacks.
Joe Mussatto, Columnist
OU 59, Temple 3
TEMPLE OF BOOM
The Sooners keep the Owls out of the end zone, and Jackson Arnold and the offense get a nice, soft launch into the season against an overmatched Temple team.
Colton Sulley, OU beat writer
OU 56, Temple 7
DEFENSE DOMINATES
OU looks dominant in its first game with new defensive coordinator Zac Alley. The Sooners force four turnovers and hold the Owls to one touchdown, which comes late in the game against reserves. First-year starting quarterback Jackson Arnold takes care of the ball and shines in his first regular season start.
More:OU football vs Temple: Score prediction for Sooners' Week 1 game against Owls
Oklahoma vs Temple injury updates
Wide receiver Nic Anderson, who has been banged up in preseason camp, will miss the game. Another wide receiver, Andrel Anthony, is expected to be available. Anthony suffered a season-ending injury in last season's game against Texas.
Temple vs Oklahoma weather update
According to the National Weather Service, showers and thunderstorms are likely before 10 p.m., with a 68% chance of precipitation at kickoff and a north northeast wind of three to seven mph. Temperature is expected to be 84 at kickoff.
More:Inside Jackson Arnold's offseason evolution, years-long journey to be OU football's QB1
Oklahoma football 2024 schedule
- Aug. 30:vs. Temple
- Sept. 7:vs. Houston
- Sept. 14:vs. Tulane
- Sept. 21:vs. Tennessee
- Sept. 28:at Auburn
- Oct. 12:vs. Texas (in Dallas)
- Oct. 19:vs. South Carolina
- Oct. 26:at Ole Miss
- Nov. 2:vs. Maine
- Nov. 9:at Missouri
- Nov. 23:vs. Alabama
- Nov. 30:at LSU
Temple football 2024 schedule
- Aug. 30:vs. Temple
- Sept. 7:at Navy
- Sept. 14:vs. Coastal Carolina
- Sept. 21:vs. Utah State
- Sept. 25:vs. Army
- Oct. 5:at UConn
- Oct. 19:vs. Tulsa
- Oct. 26:at East Carolina
- Nov. 9:at Tulane
- Nov. 16:vs. Florida Atlantic
- Nov. 22:at UTSA
- Nov. 30:vs. North Texas
Oklahoma football news
- How Gaylord Family —Oklahoma Memorial Stadium came to be
- How Friday football opener gives Sooners opportunity and challenge
- Will OU's new-look OL gel? How will Jackson Arnold look vs. Temple?
- Why Brent Venables' consistency will help lead OU football in SEC
- Inside Jackson Arnold's offseason evolution to be OU football's QB1
- OU linebacker Danny Stutsman donates NIL to Sooners' walk-ons
- OU's DeMarco Murray suspended one game for NCAA rules violation
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