Tate Sandell Was 3-for-6 This Season, Then Hit a 53-Yard Bomb AND the 47-Yard Game-Winner!

The Oklahoma Sooners pulled off a massive confidence-building win against the then-No. 1 Texas Longhorns, beating ’em 27-24 on a field goal as time expired! That’s not just a W, man, that’s the kind of gut-check victory that can change a whole season, and it came thanks to kicker Tate Sandell, the guy who just last season took home the Lou Groza Award.

From Rough Patches to Red River Heroics

Look, Sandell had a bit of a rough patch, no doubt about it. After being totally excellent last season, he missed his last two field goals against Alabama in the College Football Playoff. Then, to start *this* season, he was only 3-of-6 on field goals. You could feel the pressure building, right? But then the Red River Rivalry game against Texas happened, and Sandell just turned it on. He hit his last two field goals of the game. We’re talking a massive 53-yarder first, then, to seal the deal, a clutch 47-yard walk-off field goal as time expired! That’s unreal under pressure.

“You Need to See One Go Through”

Sandell himself said it, and it makes total sense: “Sometimes I think you need to see one go through. There are going to be patches, and it’s about how you respond to those patches.” He responded, big time. For a kicker, confidence is everything, and nailing a 53-yarder and then delivering the game-winner in the biggest rivalry game? That’s the reset button he absolutely needed. That performance reminded everyone what he can do in the biggest moments, and it gives him something huge to carry forward.

Oklahoma is gonna need that kind of reliability as they keep pushing through their SEC schedule. If Sandell can keep this rhythm and keep converting from long range, he’s gonna be a major weapon for the Sooners. This weekend’s finish wasn’t just a win, it was a statement. Here’s hoping it’s the start of a seriously consistent run for Sandell and Oklahoma.

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Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.