NORMAN, Okla. -- R. Mason Thomas was antsy, a bit irritated and a tad dehydrated.

Oklahoma's star defensive end was relegated to a glorified cheerleader in the first half of the Sooners' 24-17 statement win against Auburn . He patrolled the sidelines, watching a plethora of helmet-rattling hits as his teammates celebrated on the field after sacking Tigers quarterback Jackson Arnold a jaw-dropping seven times on the way to a tied ballgame at halftime.

"All I wanted to do was join the party. It was amazing," Thomas said. "They're lucky I couldn't run out on the field, because I would have run out and started celebrating."

Thomas was suspended for the first half due to a targeting foul he picked up in a win against Temple last week, so he bided his time, tiptoeing the boundary, al

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