Mateer Likely Out for Red River Rivalry

Oklahoma coach Brent Venables said he does not know when QB John Mateer will return and that the redshirt junior is on a standard recovery progression, but the staff is “assuming” he will not be available for Saturday’s Red River Rivalry and is not naming a starter. Mateer underwent surgery in Los Angeles performed by Dr. Steven Shin to repair his throwing hand, and although there had been internal optimism about an outside chance to play 17 days post-op, the program will rely on SEC mandatory availability reports this week to clarify his status. In Mateer’s absence, Michael Hawkins Jr. started against Kent State, completing 14-of-24 for 162 yards and three touchdown passes and adding 33 rushing yards and a rushing TD in a 44-0 win, and Venables expressed confidence in Hawkins’s ability to step in. Mateer had been a breakout star through four games with roughly 1,215 passing yards and a top-five national passing-yard average, making his availability a major storyline for unbeaten Oklahoma. The potential absence carries significant implications as Oklahoma prepares to face Texas and Arch Manning in a matchup with playoff and SEC-season ramifications.