NORMAN — OU kicker Tate Sandell has won the Lou Groza Award, it was announced on Friday. Sandell won the award, which recognizes the nation’s best kicker, over other finalists, Hawaii’s Kansei Matsuzawa and Georgia Tech ’s Aidan Birr.

When Tate Sandell transferred to OU from UTSA this past offseason, he couldn’t have imagined his season would go this way.

OU football (10-2 No. 8 CFP) is set to take on Alabama (10-3, No. 9 CFP) under the lights at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium on Dec. 19. The Sooners feel confident their fans will show out to elevate the team's performance.

The Oklahoma Sooners are trying to finish the 2025 college football season with a championship run that begins with a first-round playoff matchup with the Alabama Crimson Tide on Dec. 19 in Norman. After a 10-2 season, the Sooners found out during the SEC schedule reveal when they'll play their 2026 opponents.

SEC honors, behind SEC Champion Georgia.

The University of Oklahoma junior was the first-ever recipient of the award in it's 34th year. Sandell was one of three finalists.

Sure, beating Alabama a third time in 13 months won't be easy, but OU has one huge advantage — Brent Venables has Kalen DeBoer's number.