Oklahoma Sooners quarterback John Mateer hoped this would be the year he broke out. The senior is in the midst of his final college season.
He had a great 2024 season for the Washington State Cougars. He transferred to Oklahoma and was off to a great start in the first four games, before breaking the thumb on his throwing hand and struggling down the stretch. He hoped to prove last season's struggles were due to the injury, not who he was as a quarterback. However, things haven't improved much. He's completing 66.1% of his passes for 883 yards, eight touchdowns and four interceptions. The turnovers have been the biggest issue, as he has six this season.
Despite the struggles, head coach Brent Venables still believes in Mateer.
"A guy who loves
to compete," Venables said. "He cares about being a great teammate, being the leader of our football team. Playing well. Again, he carries a heavy weight when it comes to that. Great self-awareness. He doesn't have his head in the sand. He cares about his opportunity. He certainly cares about representing a place like Oklahoma at quarterback is a big deal. Nobody is more disappointed, you know, not playing up to the standard that he wants to and certainly what he's capable of and certainly what the University of Oklahoma has been used to over a long period of time."
Venables' continued belief in Mateer gives the quarterback an important opportunity to respond. The Sooners don't need him to become a different player overnight; they need him to build on his strengths, regain his confidence and take better care of the football.
That opportunity comes immediately against the No. 1 Texas Longhorns. If Mateer can put together a clean, confident performance against the Longhorns, he could quickly shift the conversation surrounding his season and give Oklahoma the spark it needs to change its trajectory.
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This article originally appeared on Sooners Wire: Brent Venables stands behind John Mateer amid tough stretch
