Overview
- Oklahoma fell to 3-3 after a 21-13 loss to No. 12 Kentucky in which multiple late interceptions by John Mateer were returned for touchdowns and decided the game.
- Offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle said Tuesday that Mateer still “gives us the best chance to win” and that the staff will keep him as the starter for upcoming games.
- Arbuckle publicly took accountability for play-calling and called the offense’s big mistakes “catastrophic,” saying design choices rest with him even as Mateer makes in-game decisions.
- Coaches pointed to the backups’ lack of live-game experience—junior Whitt Newbauer and true freshman Bowe Bentley—and injuries along the offensive line as key reasons not to make an immediate change at quarterback.
- The decision leans on Arbuckle and Mateer’s prior success together, including their 2024 season at Washington State and last season’s College Football Playoff run, but it raises near-term risks for Oklahoma’s season and morale if turnovers continue.