This time last year, the Oklahoma Sooners were hoping John Mateer would play in the Red River Rivalry game.
It was optimistic thinking as Mateer was just a couple of weeks removed from thumb surgery. But things were going well for the Sooners. And title aspirations were beginning to seem realistic. OU was undefeated, ranked No. 6 in the country, had a chance to knock Texas out of playoff contention, and Mateer was still one of the Heisman favorites.
Things are much different this year, though. Oklahoma (2-2, 0-1 SEC) is unranked, and Mateer’s stock is one of the lowest in the SEC due to multiple costly turnovers so far this season. Through four games, Mateer has thrown for 886 passing yards, eight touchdowns, and four interceptions. He’s also
fumbled twice. But all of that can be forgotten with a win on Saturday against No. 1 Texas at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas, scheduled for a 2:30 p.m. kickoff.
Oklahoma has won five of its last eight meetings against Texas. But in the last two meetings, the Sooners have failed even to score a touchdown, resulting in some rather disappointing losses. Safe to say, redemption is what Mateer and Oklahoma are looking for this weekend. The Sooners’ signal-caller expressed excitement for the upcoming challenge.
“We're ready to go,” Mateer said. “Everybody, you get to sit back and look at where we're at, and we're ready to go. I'm more excited. It's the game; it is what everybody says it is. It's awesome, and I'm honored to play in it, in a rivalry, and for this team and for these guys.
“Last year, it was what it was. It's taught me a lot, but I'm standing here and ready to play this week."
In last year's Red River Rivalry game, Mateer struggled, throwing three interceptions in a 23-6 loss. The belief was that he came back from his thumb injury too soon. A year removed, though, a fully healthy Mateer has many question marks surrounding him. The Sooners are hoping he can shake off the bad play this season and accomplish a rare feat.
Oklahoma has beaten the AP’s No. 1 team on seven occasions: Nebraska three times and Maryland, Missouri, Penn State and USC once each. The last such win was in 2007 vs. Mizzou, 38-17. Taking down the nation’s top-ranked team for the eighth time on Saturday would keep Oklahoma’s playoff hopes alive. It would also mean Mateer played his best game of the year and redeemed himself.
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This article originally appeared on Sooners Wire: OU QB John Mateer excited for a chance at redemption against Texas
