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An 81-yard run, ferocious pass rush lift Texas to upset of Oklahoma

DALLAS -- As 17½-point underdogs, the Texas Longhorns shocked No. 10 Oklahoma 24-17 on Saturday in the Cotton Bowl. Here's how it happened:

What the win means for Texas: Since taking over at Texas last season, coach Charlie Strong has been searching for a foundation win to reinvigorate his program. On Saturday in Dallas, he got it. The Longhorns were the tougher team. And they were the better one, too. Texas controlled both lines of scrimmage, and freshman quarterback Jerrod Heard delivered a cool and collected performance. The Strong era at Texas has a completely different look to it.

What the loss means for Oklahoma: This ranks as one of the most devastating Red River losses in school history. Coming off the wins against Tennessee and West Virginia, the Sooners had hopes of contending for the College Football Playoff. But Oklahoma couldn't block Texas, couldn't run the ball and couldn't come up with the key defensive stop. Once again, we had the wool pulled over our eyes. The Sooners have a good team. But it's not a playoff team.

Top play: With Texas backed up inside its 10 and momentum swinging Oklahoma's way late in the third quarter, D'Onta Foreman took a draw play, broke three tackles and dashed 81 yards. Three plays later the Longhorns were in the end zone to go back up by two possessions and regain control of the game. Spurred by Foreman's run, Texas outgained the Sooners on the ground, 313 yards to 67.

Stat of the game: Texas entered the weekend with just seven sacks, which ranked 96th nationally. On Saturday, they sacked Baker Mayfield six times. On one critical sequence in the final five minutes, true freshman linebacker Malik Jefferson came swinging around the edge and dropped Mayfield for an eight-yard loss. Two plays later, Poona Ford and Naashon Hughes bull-rushed Oklahoma's offensive line and sacked Mayfield again, forcing the Sooners, down by seven, to punt down with 3:33 remaining. Oklahoma never got the ball back.