Texas QB Casey Thompson explodes for career day vs. Oklahoma despite jammed finger, spotty O-line

On the very first play from scrimmage in the 117th iteration of the Red River Showdown, Casey Thompson completed his longest career pass, a 75-yard touchdown to Xavier Worthy.

While it ultimately was not Texas’ finest afternoon, Thompson went on shatter three other personal bests in passing yards, touchdowns and completions, off the back of a 388 yard, five-touchdown, no-turnover performance.

Thompson did all of this despite jamming his finger badly in the first half.

“It was very difficult at first, kind of had a stinger and it’s very swollen,” Thompson said postgame. “But there’s no way I was gonna let anything take me out of this game until they carted me off.”

With his offensive line not affording him much time in the pocket, Thompson was forced to rely on the deep ball.

“I was just trying to avoid taking sacks,” he said. “OU did a good job of getting guys in my face to where I wasn’t able to see as well as I was early on, but I knew that the big plays would be there and the shots would be there.”

And the shots were certainly there.

In what was probably his best-ever game in a burnt orange uniform, Thompson connected on five different passes for 30-plus yards. The first of which being to Worthy, Thompson would also connect with Joshua Moore for a 48-yard touchdown strike. The drive before, Thompson assisted Moore on his first touchdown of the season, an eloquently thrown ball to the back corner of the end zone.

Thompson and Worthy renewed their formidable partnership, with Worthy hauling in a 39-yard heave in the second quarter. Thompson would also find Worthy for a 48-yard catch, which set up a 31-yard Thompson-to-Worthy touchdown on Texas’ last drive.

Despite the heartbreaking loss, Thompson is trying to remain positive.

“I’m proud of the way we fought. The coaches, players, everyone just for continuing to battle and stay strong,” he said. “I’m just trying to stay positive right now. I’m still processing everything, but that’s just how I feel.”

More on the Red River Showdown

— Welcome to the Caleb Williams era: Backup QB leads ‘epic comeback’, saves Oklahoma’s CFP dreams

— Texas blew its first Red River Showdown in the Steve Sarkisian era. Where do Longhorns go from here?

— Dallas-area players Kennedy Brooks, Marvin Mims come up big for Oklahoma in rivalry win over Texas

— National reaction to Oklahoma’s 55-48 win over Texas: Did Red River break Twitter?

— 5 takeaways from Oklahoma’s win over Texas: Red River Showdown provides another all-time classic

— 5 takeaways from Texas’ loss to Oklahoma: Longhorns fumble away big first half lead to Sooners

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