Overview
- Brent Venables publicly reaffirmed John Mateer as the starter on Wednesday, saying, “John’s our starting quarterback.”
- The coaching staff split practice reps this week, giving Whitt Newbauer and Bowe Bentley meaningful 'good-on-good' work so they are prepared as contingency options.
- Mateer’s struggles this season include limited yardage totals and costly turnovers, highlighted by a 25-of-34, 231-yard line against Georgia with one interception and three sacks on consecutive drives.
- Coaches weighed a change after the Georgia turnovers but kept Mateer in the lineup, citing his daily work, leadership and toughness despite concerns about his confidence voiced by teammates.
- Oklahoma’s remaining schedule, led by No. 1 Texas on Oct. 10 and several ranked opponents thereafter, makes the Red River game the clearest short-term test that could force a personnel decision and affect the team’s postseason outlook.