Fans in Norman and Dallas React to the Red River Rivalry
During the Red River Rivalry game at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas, Oklahoma Sooners fans gathered in Norman and across the metro area to watch the matchup, sharing mixed reactions to the team’s performance, KOCO reported. While thousands of supporters traveled to Texas, fans watching locally showed up in force to track the close contest.
OU student Emmalee Fontenot shared a hopeful perspective during the game. “We think the game is actually going pretty good considering how quarterback John Mateer has been before,” Fontenot said. Other fans pointed to specific strengths on the field. “I think the defense and special teams are playing well, but hopefully that offense can kick in and get going. I know that Texas defense is pretty stout,” OU fan Jonathan Fitzsimmons said. Additional optimism came from students Libby Stone and Ivory Miller, who stated, “It’s happened before, we can do it.” Not everyone shared that outlook, however. When asked if the Sooners could pull off a win, fan Chance Hale answered, “No, no, no, that’s no, that ain’t happening.”
Unified ‘Horns Down’ Sentiment Across Norman
Despite differing opinions on the score and the offense, supporters in Norman found common ground in a familiar tradition. Fans repeatedly flashed the “Horns Down” gesture while following the action from Dallas. “Horns Down! Horns Down, baby! Horns Down! Horn hater right here!” Fontenot and fellow student Kyndale Barfield said. Stone and Miller echoed the sentiment with a direct “Horns Down,” while fan Ricky Thornburg added, “Horns Down! That’s all I gotta say. Horns Down!” Fans continued supporting the Sooners throughout the unfolding game.