Oklahoma’s loss to Michigan highlights John Mateer’s offensive struggles

Oklahoma entered the game with a critical third‑down play, calling a timeout to ensure the right call. Quarterback John Mateer dropped back, identified Trell Haris, and threw a pass that was picked off by Jyaire Hill and returned into the red zone. Michigan capitalized, taking a 17‑10 lead that the Sooners would not surrender as the No. 11 team lost a stunner in Ann Arbor.

Mateer was a massive transfer and the No. 3 quarterback in the 2025 class when he arrived in Norman. He completed only 7 of 16 passes for 52 yards and 21 yards on the ground in the first half, missing passes high and low. In the second half, offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle leaned on tight ends and the quarterback run, including big passes to tight end Rocky Beers, but Mateer completed just 1 of 8 passes for 3 yards with an interception in the final deciding sequence.

Since returning from hand surgery last season, Mateer has completed only 59% of his passes against power‑conference competition, with a paltry 6.8 yards per pass attempt when not blitzed. The Sooners averaged just 21.5 points per game down the stretch, even including a four‑game winning streak to close the year. With No. 2 Georgia and No. 4 Texas coming in the next month – plus No. 9 Ole Miss and No. 10 Texas A&M later in the year – this could quickly spiral into another lackluster season for Venables.

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