Oklahoma Considers Quarterback Changes After Loss to Georgia

Oklahoma’s football team faces challenges following a significant 41-13 defeat by Georgia on September 26. Head coach Brent Venables addressed the media about discussions within the coaching staff about potentially benching starting quarterback John Mateer during the loss.

The offense has struggled throughout the season, apart from a strong 51-0 victory against UTEP in their opener. Since then, the Sooners have managed only 37 points across games against Michigan, New Mexico, and Georgia. Entering the season ranked No. 10, Oklahoma has found itself on the losing side against Michigan and Georgia.

As they prepare to face the top-ranked Texas in the upcoming “Red River Rivalry” on Saturday in Dallas, Oklahoma aims to rebound. Historically, the rivalry has seen upsets by underdogs, adding intrigue to the matchup.

In discussing the preparation for Texas, Venables confirmed Mateer as the starting quarterback but mentioned that backups Whitt Newbauer and Bowe Bentley were given substantial practice time. He shared uncertainty on whether Newbauer or Bentley might see playing time, suggesting Mateer needs to perform well to maintain his position as the Sooners attempt an upset against Texas.

“We’ve got great belief in them, trust in them,” Venables stated, as reported by ESPN. He remarked on the strong work ethic and improvement exhibited by both Newbauer and Bentley, emphasizing their roles within the team.

So far, Mateer has accumulated 883 passing yards, with eight touchdowns and four interceptions across the initial four games. In 2024, at Washington State, he had an impressive season with 3,139 yards, 29 touchdowns, and seven interceptions. Last season, Mateer faced challenges, including a hand injury, concluding with 2,885 yards, 14 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions.