Courtland Guillory praised for his 'mental toughness' against Texas
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Courtland Guillory praised for his 'mental toughness' against Texas
Oct 10, 2026; Dallas, Texas, USA; Oklahoma Sooners defensive back Courtland Guillory (4) reacts after making an interception during the second half against the Texas Longhorns at the Cotton Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images
Jaron Spor, Sooners Wire·Sooners Wire
·
2 min read
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During a college football game, there will be highs and lows. How a player responds to that is the ultimate test of their ability and character.
That is even more true if you are a defensive back. Those players need a short memory. They'll get beat in games, but if they mope or get upset, it could be a long day.Oklahoma Soonerscornerback Courtland Guillory is the perfect example of having a short memory.
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Against the No. 1Texas Longhorns, Guillory was flagged for pass interference with under a minute left, setting Texas up around midfield. Guillory could have easily pouted, but instead he refocused and came away with the game-clinching interception two plays later.
Head coach Brent Venables praised Guillory's mental toughness during the game.
"His mental toughness is as good as I've been around,"Venables said."We were talking about it in (Sunday's) meeting. Not everything is going to go your way. How you respond. Your ability to focus and refocus for four quarters is incredibly important... He did all of the things fundamentally right in one of the biggest moments of the game."
Guillory's response against Texas could define his season and set an example for the rest of the Oklahoma defense. His ability to move past the penalty and make a decisive play showed the kind of resilience Venables wants from his team. In close games, that mental toughness can matter as much as physical ability, especially when one mistake can change the outcome.
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As the Sooners move deeper into SEC play, they will need that same next-play mentality in every game. Guillory has already shown he can respond under the highest pressure, and his game-clinching interception gives Oklahoma another play to build on after the Texas upset. If the defense continues to trust its technique, stay composed and capitalize on key opportunities, the Sooners will be better positioned to keep their momentum going.
Oct 10, 2026; Dallas, Texas, USA; Oklahoma Sooners head coach Brent Venables walks with players before the game against the Texas Longhorns at Cotton Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images
(Kevin Jairaj, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Oct 10, 2026; Dallas, Texas, USA; Oklahoma Sooners defensive back Reggie Powers III (3) tackles Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning (16) during the second half at Cotton Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
(Jerome Miron, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Oct 10, 2026; Dallas, Texas, USA; Oklahoma Sooners running back Lloyd Avant (9) scores a touchdown against the Texas Longhorns during the second half at Cotton Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images
(Kevin Jairaj, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Oct 10, 2026; Dallas, Texas, USA; Texas Longhorns defensive line Hero Kanu (93) tackles Oklahoma Sooners running back Lloyd Avant (9) during the second half at Cotton Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
(Jerome Miron, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Oct 10, 2026; Dallas, Texas, USA; Oklahoma Sooners kicker Preston Tarpley (33) reacts during the second half against the Texas Longhorns at Cotton Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images
(Kevin Jairaj, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Oct 10, 2026; Dallas, Texas, USA; Oklahoma Sooners running back Lloyd Avant (9) celebrates with offensive line Noah Best (52) after scoring a touchdown against the Texas Longhorns during the second half at Cotton Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images
(Kevin Jairaj, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Oct 10, 2026; Dallas, Texas, USA; Oklahoma Sooners defensive back Markel Ford (5) reacts during the second half against the Texas Longhorns at Cotton Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images
(Kevin Jairaj, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Oklahoma celebrates a blocked punt for a touchdown in the first half Red River Rivalry college football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners (OU) and the Texas Longhorn at the Cotton Bowl Stadium in Dallas, Texas, Saturday, Oct., 10, 2026.
(SARAH PHIPPS/THE OKLAHOMAN, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)
Oct 10, 2026; Dallas, Texas, USA; Texas Longhorns defensive line Alex January (97) tackles Oklahoma Sooners running back Tory Blaylock (6) during the first half at Cotton Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
(Jerome Miron, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Oct 10, 2026; Dallas, Texas, USA; An Oklahoma Sooners cheerleader looks on during the first half against the Texas Longhorns at Cotton Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images
(Kevin Jairaj, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Oct 10, 2026; Dallas, Texas, USA; Oklahoma Sooners quarterback John Mateer (10) looks to pass against the Texas Longhorns during the first half at Cotton Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
(Jerome Miron, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Oct 10, 2026; Dallas, Texas, USA; Oklahoma Sooners defensive line Trent Wilson (90) tackles Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning (16) during the first half at Cotton Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images
(Kevin Jairaj, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Oklahoma's John Mateer (10) leads the team on the field for warm ups before the Red River Rivalry college football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners (OU) and the Texas Longhorn at the Cotton Bowl Stadium in Dallas, Texas, Saturday, Oct., 10, 2026.
(SARAH PHIPPS/THE OKLAHOMAN, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)
Oct 10, 2026; Dallas, Texas, USA; Oklahoma Sooners pom squad/cheer members pose for a photo before the game against the Texas Longhorns at the Cotton Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images
(Kevin Jairaj, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Oct 10, 2026; Dallas, Texas, USA; Oklahoma Sooners kicker Tate Sandell (29) kicks a game-winning field goal against the Texas Longhorns during the second half at Cotton Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
(Jerome Miron, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Oct 10, 2026; Dallas, Texas, USA; Oklahoma Sooners kicker Tate Sandell (29) celebrates after kicking the game-winning field goal against the Texas Longhorns during the second half at Cotton Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images
(Kevin Jairaj, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Oct 10, 2026; Dallas, Texas, USA; Oklahoma Sooners defensive back Peyton Bowen (22) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Texas Longhorns during the second half at Cotton Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images
(Kevin Jairaj, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Oct 10, 2026; Dallas, Texas, USA; Oklahoma Sooners defensive back Peyton Bowen (22) runs to score a touchdown against the Texas Longhorns during the second half at Cotton Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images
(Kevin Jairaj, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Oct 10, 2026; Dallas, Texas, USA; Oklahoma Sooners running back Lloyd Avant (9) runs against the Texas Longhorns during the second half at Cotton Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
(Jerome Miron, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Oct 10, 2026; Dallas, Texas, USA; Oklahoma Sooners quarterback John Mateer (10) rides the Sooner Schooner as he celebrates after the Sooners defeat the Texas Longhorns at Cotton Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
(Jerome Miron, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Oct 10, 2026; Dallas, Texas, USA; Oklahoma Sooners place kicker Tate Sandell (29) celebrates with his teammates and the Golden Hat after the Sooners defeat the Texas Longhorns at Cotton Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
(Jerome Miron, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Oct 10, 2026; Dallas, Texas, USA; Oklahoma Sooners head coach Brent Venables celebrates with Oklahoma Sooners defensive lineman David Stone (0) while wearing the Golden Hat after the game against the Texas Longhorns at Cotton Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images
(Kevin Jairaj, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Oct 10, 2026; Dallas, Texas, USA; Oklahoma Sooners defensive back Peyton Bowen (22) waves to the crowd after the Sooners defeat the Texas Longhorns at Cotton Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
(Jerome Miron, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Oct 10, 2026; Dallas, Texas, USA; Oklahoma Sooners defensive lineman David Stone (0) wears the Golden Hat after the game against the Texas Longhorns at Cotton Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images
(Kevin Jairaj, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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(Kevin Jairaj, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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(Kevin Jairaj, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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(Kevin Jairaj, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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(Kevin Jairaj, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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(Jerome Miron, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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(Kevin Jairaj, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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(SARAH PHIPPS/THE OKLAHOMAN, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)
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(Kevin Jairaj, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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(Kevin Jairaj, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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