The Oklahoma Sooners just never looked like they had a rhythm going offensively. Inconsistent performance from quarterback John Mateer was the main culprit as No. 24 Oklahoma edged out a 14-6 win over the New Mexico Lobos on Saturday night in Norman.
Oklahoma’s success on offense has much to do with Mateer's play. That was apparent in the win over UTEP, where he threw for three touchdowns, and apparent in the loss against Michigan, where he turned the ball over in a crucial spot.
Again on Saturday, Oklahoma saw a roller-coaster performance from Mateer. He finished the game against UTEP completing 19-of-25 passes for 238 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions. He also rushed 10 times for 17 yards. His 76% completion rate was his highest since
his OU debut in the 2025 season opener vs. Illinois State (81%), but many OU fans could see there were still issues with the performance. They let that be known as they serenaded Mateer and the Oklahoma offense multiple times throughout the night.
The frustration came as Mateer’s inconsistencies were on full display. The senior quarterback threw an interception on his first pass of the game. But then he would put together an amazing drive where he looked in full command. Such as two possessions later, when he led Oklahoma on a 12-play 80-yard scoring drive. He completed 7-of-7 passes for 75 yards, capped with his 29-yard touchdown pass to tight end Hayden Hansen in the second quarter.
It’s hard to figure out the main reason he looks so good on one drive and so bad on the next. But it may be because he’s not fully seeing the football field when he’s going through his reads. He admitted as much when describing how he completed the biggest offensive play of the game – a 53-yard touchdown pass to Isaiah Sategna in the third quarter.
“We ran the ball out of that formation earlier in the game, so the middle safety came down and fit the run,” Mateer said of the play. “We had a run fake, and then I was late to it. I looked left and I kind of skipped over to the third read, and I kind of heard everybody screaming and I was like, 'Well, something must be going on.' And I see Isaiah put his hand — I’m serious — put his hand up, and I see him.
Mateer was asked a follow-up question about who he heard screaming.
“The fans,” he answered. “Normally you don’t hear it, but sometimes.”
With the 'Sooners' either unwillingness or inability to run the football consistently, the offense will rely on Mateer’s abilities. But right now, they’re just not getting consistent play from him, and the biggest mistakes are coming on baffling plays.
He threw his first interception on his first pass, scrambling to his right and trying to fit the ball to receiver Isaiah Satenga. Instead, the defender, shadowing Mateer, quickly jumped in front of the pass, completing the interception in Oklahoma territory. Mateer’s second interception came just a bit later, when he tried to find running back Xavier Robinson running a wheel route on the sideline, but instead threw it directly at the defender, who was being blocked by OU wide receiver Parker Livingstone. Again, it put Oklahoma’s defense in a tough spot as New Mexico took over just outside of Oklahoma’s 20-yard line.
The inconsistency will have to be fixed as the Sooners take on the top two teams in the country over the next two games.
“I’m tired of getting up here and saying that I keep making mistakes and this and that, and I believe it'll change,” Mateer said. “I do, and I'm being tested, and I believe I'll persevere."
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This article originally appeared on Sooners Wire: How OU fans helped Mateer complete touchdown pass against New Mexico
