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No. 21 Oklahoma gets pick 6 from Kip Lewis to complete comeback win over Auburn, 27-21

Auburn quarterback Payton Thorne (1) throws a pass during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Oklahoma, Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024, in Auburn, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)

Auburn quarterback Payton Thorne threw for three touchdowns against No. 16 Oklahoma, but an interception returned for a score cost the Tigers a victory. (AP Photo/Butch hDill)

No. 21 Oklahoma won its first SEC game, posting a 27-21 victory over Auburn on Saturday at Jordan-Hare Stadium.

Kip Lewis ran an interception back 63 yards for a pick 6 with four minutes left in the fourth quarter, giving the Sooners a 22-21 lead. Michael Hawkins Jr. then ran around the right side and jumped the pylon for a two-point conversion and a three-point lead.

Oklahoma would later make a field goal to make it 27-21.

Auburn built a 21-10 lead early in the fourth quarter on a one-yard pass from Payton Thorne to Luke Deal. The seven-play, 58-yard drive was highlighted by an excellent grab down the left sideline by Cam Coleman for a 42-yard gain. Five plays later, Auburn was in the end zone and seemingly had Oklahoma reeling.

Despite the late turnover, Thorne did everything he could to justify head coach Hugh Freeze’s decision to reinstate him as the starter after being benched for freshman Hank Brown. His 48-yard pass to Malcolm Simmons put Auburn ahead with a touchdown midway through the second quarter.

The senior QB threw for 338 yards and three touchdowns while completing 21 of 32 passes. But that pick 6 was a backbreaker. Freeze also cited turnovers in making the QB change.

Jarquez Hunter led Auburn with 97 yards on 17 carries and helped the Tigers run out the clock until Thorne was intercepted. Cam Coleman recorded 82 yards on three catches, followed by KeAndre Lambert-Smith getting a touchdown and 77 yards among his five receptions.

The Tigers added a touchdown early in the fourth on a one-yard pass from Thorne to Luke Deal. The seven-play, 58-yard drive was highlighted by an excellent grab down the left sideline by Coleman for a 42-yard gain. Five plays later, Auburn was in the end zone for a 21-10 lead.

On Oklahoma’s next possession, the offense failed to put any points on the board, with Michael Hawkins Jr. was sacked on fourth-and-10 at the Auburn 40-yard line.

The Sooners’ injuries at receiver seemed particularly notable as the offense was unable to move down the field with explosive play. Deion Burks, Nic Anderson, Jayden Gibson, Jalil Farooq and Andrel Anthony were all out for Oklahoma on Saturday.