Oklahoma's defense carried the Sooners past New Mexico 14-6 on Saturday night, Sept. 19, at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium.

Junior defensive tackle David Stone sealed the win by stuffing Lobos running back Scottre Humphrey on fourth-and-1 at the Oklahoma 17-yard line with 2:58 left. Stone, one of nine team captains, finished with a career-high eight tackles.

"I knew we needed it and they were getting really close to the end zone and the game's on the line," Stone said after the game.

The No. 24 Sooners (2-1) held New Mexico to 185 total yards, 69 rushing yards and just two field goals. Oklahoma recorded six sacks and 10 tackles for loss, according to OU Athletics.

Quarterback John Mateer threw two touchdown passes and completed 19 of 25 passes for 238 yards. He also threw two interceptions. Those turnovers kept the game tight.

Oklahoma took a 7-0 lead early in the second quarter when Mateer connected with tight end Hayden Hansen, a fifth-year redshirt junior transfer from Florida, on a 29-yard scoring pass. The play capped a 12-play, 80-yard drive.

New Mexico answered with two Grant Glasgow field goals, a 24-yarder and a 42-yarder, to pull within 7-6 at halftime.

The Sooners broke it open on their second possession of the third quarter. Mateer hit fifth-year senior wide receiver Isaiah Sategna III on a 53-yard touchdown strike, capping a five-play, 70-yard drive. The defense held from there.

Head coach Brent Venables credited his defense but acknowledged the offense needs work. He said the Sooners were fortunate to lead 7-6 at the break after what he called "incredible turnovers" and said the defense "really responded and saved our butt."

Boos were heard throughout the stadium during the game, the OU Daily reported. When asked about his confidence in offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle, Venables declined to engage. "I'm not going to talk about confidence. He's our offensive coordinator. … We have to be better," he said, as OU football reporter George Stoia III reported.

Mateer said the Sunday after the Michigan loss recentered him and that he expected to play cleaner. He said he needs to be better.

New Mexico (2-1) entered the game having outscored its first two opponents 108-14. Lobos quarterback Toa Fa'avae managed just 79 yards passing. New Mexico head coach Jason Eck said he was not discouraged by the result.

Oklahoma opens SEC play Saturday, Sept. 26, at No. 2 Georgia in Athens, Ga. Kickoff is set for 2:30 p.m. CT on ESPN.