Oklahoma Considers Quarterback Changes After Loss to Georgia

Following a 41-13 defeat to No. 2 Georgia on September 26, Oklahoma Sooners head coach Brent Venables addressed the media. He revealed that the coaching staff considered benching quarterback John Mateer during the game.

The Sooners’ offensive performance has faltered throughout the season except for a 51-0 victory against UTEP in their opening game. Since then, Oklahoma has managed only 37 points combined against Michigan, New Mexico, and Georgia. The team, initially ranked No. 10, succumbed to losses against both Michigan and Georgia.

With another challenging matchup against No. 1 Texas in the “Red River Rivalry” scheduled for Saturday at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas, Texas, Oklahoma is aiming for a comeback. While Texas is favored to win, upsets have been common in this rivalry.

In discussions with reporters about preparations for Texas, Venables confirmed that Mateer is the starting quarterback. However, he noted that backups Whitt Newbauer and Bowe Bentley received “a lot of the reps” in practice last week.

When asked if Newbauer or Bentley might play, Venables expressed uncertainty. His remarks emphasize the need for Mateer to improve to avoid being benched as the Sooners strive to defeat Texas.

“We’ve got great belief in them, trust in them,” Venables stated, as reported by ESPN. “Both Bowe and Whitt have shown a body of work for assessment. They’re performing well, working hard, and improving. We’re pleased with the progress of our quarterbacks as a group.”

In the first four games, Mateer has accumulated 883 passing yards, eight touchdowns, and four interceptions. In 2024, he had a standout season with Washington State, achieving 3,139 yards, 29 touchdowns, and seven interceptions. Last season, Mateer dealt with a hand injury and concluded with 2,885 yards, 14 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions.