Oklahoma Sooner fans can breathe a sigh of relief after the tough start to the season. The Sooners got a major win on Saturday against the then-No. 1 Texas Longhorns.
The Longhorns entered the game as the heavy favorite. Almost everyone on the national shows picked the Longhorns. A big reason was Oklahoma's offensive struggles, especially quarterback John Mateer. He's completed 66.7% of his passes for 1,.038 yards, eight touchdowns and four interceptions. Against Texas, he completed 18-of-26 passes for 155 yards. Most importantly, he didn't turn the ball over and made two crucial throws to set up the game-winning field goal.
ESPN's Matt Barrie credited Mateer for stepping up when it mattered most.
"Say what you want about Mateer; he and Isaiah
Sategna, at the end of that game, made two plays near the sideline that ended up proving to be the big ones that ended up being the game-winning field goal," Barrie said on 'The Matt Barrie Show.'"
For Mateer, the finish against Texas could be an important turning point after a difficult stretch to open the season. He doesn't need to put up huge numbers every week to make an impact; protecting the football, trusting his receivers and delivering in critical moments can give Oklahoma the stability it has been missing. The late-game connection with Sategna offered a glimpse of what the offense can accomplish when execution takes priority over forcing plays.
Now, the challenge is to make that composure the norm. Oklahoma can build on the rivalry win and gain momentum as SEC play continues, but consistency will be key. If Mateer keeps making sound decisions and delivers when the game is on the line, the Sooners could turn Saturday's breakthrough into a meaningful run through the rest of the season.
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This article originally appeared on Sooners Wire: ESPN's Matt Barrie praises John Mateer for coming up big in the clutch
