Oklahoma scores first in The Palace

Oklahoma football used its own social media feed on September 8 to mark what it called the program’s first score inside “The Palace,” posting video of players and staff cheering after an opening-drive touchdown. The post came from the Sooners’ official X account during a September game-day window and framed the score as an early milestone for the newly branded venue. Oklahoma’s official athletics site now uses “Party at the Palace” language in stadium and fan-experience materials tied to Gaylord Family–Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. ### Why was Oklahoma calling it the first score in “The Palace”? Oklahoma’s football account said the touchdown was the first score in “The Palace,” using the nickname in a celebratory post that showed the sideline and support staff reacting. The phrase matches branding that appears on the university’s athletics site, where stadium promotions and tours are listed under “Party at the Palace.” (soonersports.com) The University of Oklahoma also announced “The Palace Project” in a November 21, 2025 athletics release, giving the nickname a formal place in the program’s football messaging. That release tied the branding to broader football resources and fan-facing presentation around the stadium. ### What exactly did the team post? Oklahoma’s official X account posted video showing players and staff celebrating after the touchdown, according to the social briefing and the linked team post referenced there. (soonersports.com) The post identified the moment as the first score in “The Palace,” and the reaction online quickly centered on that label and the opening-drive finish. Fans on X answered with gifs and short comments, according to the social briefing supplied for this story. (soonersports.com) The online response focused less on the play design or opponent and more on the symbolic first score attached to the venue name. ### How does this fit into Oklahoma’s 2026 season? Oklahoma’s official 2026 schedule lists the Sooners’ home opener against UTEP on September 4 and their next game at Michigan on September 12 at 11 a.m. (legionreport.com) CT. The athletics site also shows New Mexico scheduled for September 19 in Norman, followed by a road game at Georgia on September 26. The Sooners’ athletics pages have pushed the stadium branding alongside 2026 fan-experience updates, including premium seating, ticketing and stadium-visit promotions. (legionreport.com) That context helps explain why the program highlighted the score as a venue milestone rather than simply posting it as an in-game update. ### What is “The Palace” in Oklahoma’s own materials? (soonersports.com) Gaylord Family–Oklahoma Memorial Stadium appears under “Party at the Palace” on multiple Oklahoma athletics pages, including the football schedule and fan-information sections. The same pages place the phrase alongside stadium tours and game-day offerings, showing that the nickname is being used as part of the school’s official presentation. (soonersports.com) A November 2025 Oklahoma athletics release went further by naming a football initiative “The Palace Project.” The school said then that the project would drive resources to OU football, linking the branding to the program’s competitive and facility ambitions. ### What comes next for the Sooners? Oklahoma’s official schedule lists Michigan as the Sooners’ next opponent on September 12 in Ann Arbor, with kickoff set for 11 a.m. (soonersports.com) CT. The same schedule lists New Mexico in Norman on September 19, giving the program its next home date after the early-season stadium milestone highlighted on social media. (soonersports.com)