NORMAN — Oklahoma called a timeout.
The Sooners had 1:25 to go on third-and-8 and needed a big play from quarterback John Mateer.
Out of the timeout, Mateer — with his mental clock clearly sped up — threw a pick-six. After putting together perhaps his best first half in an SEC game of his OU career, Mateer threw three interceptions in the second half, including another one in the fourth with 21 seconds left that ended the game.
The Sooners fell to No. 15 Kentucky 21-13 in a slugfest Saturday night at Gaylord Family — Oklahoma Memorial Stadium.
Mateer completed 15 of his 21 passes for 167 yards and a touchdown in the first half.
In the second?
Mateer completed nine of his 20 passes with three interceptions.
Here are more takeaways from OU’s (3-3) loss:
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Have a game, Jake Kreul
It was fourth-and-4 and Will Stein rolled the dice on the Sooners’ 5-yard line.
Enter Jake Kreul.
The Sooners’ freshman defensive end went unblocked and sacked UK quarterback Kenny Minchey. OU ball.
Kreul finished with six total tackles and two and a half sacks.
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Hello, Manny Choice
We heard Choice’s name as a projected key contributor throughout the offseason and training camp.
Entering Saturday, though, Choice had only caught three passes for 24 yards.
Choice, in his second year at OU, made his first career start and caught five passes for a team-high 98 yards. He recorded a 34-yard reception on the Sooners’ touchdown drive just before halftime.
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Sooners’ fourth different OL combo collapses late
OU started its fourth different combination of offensive linemen Saturday against Kentucky.
Michael Fasusi, Heath Ozaeta and Eddy Pierre-Louis were all ruled out on the pregame availability report. The Sooners’ starting offensive line from left to right was: left tackle Ryan Fodje, left guard Noah Best, center Jake Maikkula, right guard Peyton Joseph and right tackle E’Marion Harris.
The group held up fairly well for two and a half quarters.
Mateer had time for most of the first half but there were key breakdowns in the second, including when Mateer’s hand was hit as he threw, which resulted in an interception in the third quarter.
The Sooners began a critical drive with 12:53 remaining but Mateer was sacked twice.
It was Joseph’s first career start. The Georgia Tech transfer played in six games last season for the Yellow Jackets as a freshman and has appeared in all five of OU’s games this season.
With Ozaeta unavailable, Western Kentucky transfer Caleb Nitta was utilized more Saturday. Nitta slotted in at guard for a few plays in the second half after Fodje appeared to suffer a lower-body injury.
The Sooners’ offensive line needs to get healthy.
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Nic Anderson, Jovante Barnes return to Norman
It took four plays for the two former Sooners to touch the ball.
Running back Jovantae Barnes rushed five times for 16 yards in the win. Wide receiver Nic Anderson caught five passes for a team-high 48 yards.
Anderson and Barnes were named captains for the game and met some of their former teammates at midfield pregame.
Each time they touched the ball, they were met with loud boos from the OU crowd.
Anderson made an incredible juggling catch in the red zone in the fourth quarter.
Next, the Sooners will travel to face Mississippi State (4-2) at 2:30 p.m. next Saturday, Oct. 24, at Davis Wade Stadium.
Colton Sulley covers the Oklahoma Sooners for The Oklahoman. Have a story idea for Colton? He can be reached at csulley@oklahoman.com or on X/Twitter at @colton_sulley. Support Colton's work and that of other Oklahoman journalists by purchasing adigital subscription today at subscribe.oklahoman.com.
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: OU football offensive line collapses late in loss vs Kentucky | 5 takeaways