Jackson Arnold's best play for the Oklahoma Sooners in their first game was a play that didn't even count

The Oklahoma Sooners are officially an SEC team that has played a game as an SEC team if that makes sense. In simpler terms, the Sooners finally played their first game as an SEC team, and that means they have to go out and dominate defensively. And, they did.

It was on the offensive side of the ball where they really struggled. The starters went 0/9 on third downs, some of the wide receivers had some drops in the game, more than once, the run game stalled a few times in the beginning, the offensive line got dominated at times, and of course, injuries, where Jalil Farooq broke his foot and will be out for 6-8 weeks.

But, there was some good. Jackson Arnold looked so good in his second start ever, and he made the right play over and over again, with very few errors. In fact, he made highlight plays, like an insane throw to Jalil Farooq for 47 yards, and some great passes to Bauer Sharp and Deion Burks for touchdowns.

But even with all of that, there was one play that didn't count but would have been his best play of the day.

Arnold threw an over-the-shoulder deep ball for what would have been maybe 40-plus yards. However, with a defender draped all over him, wide receiver J.J. Hester let it sail right through his hands. It would have been a phenomenal throw and catch, and his best play of the day by far -- one that would have been a top-ten play on Sports Center.

That wasn't the only drop Hester had on Friday against the Temple Owls, though. He had another one where he was wide open about 10 yards away, for what would have been a first down. But, Arnold continued making plays and did what he does, including punting the ball.

Yes, you read that right.

The Sooners have a lot to clean up but there is no doubt that Arnold is going to be special.

Related: How Oklahoma Sooners' Jackson Arnold has already started to prove doubters wrong just a few snaps into 2024