Oklahoma backs John Mateer as quarterback despite costly turnovers
Offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle says Mateer gives the Sooners their best chance to win, even after three interceptions in a loss to Kentucky.
Oklahoma offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle said on October 20 that John Mateer remains the Sooners’ best option at quarterback despite costly turnovers, according to an Associated Press report carried by ESPN. His backing followed a three-interception game in Oklahoma’s 21-13 home loss to Kentucky, with the Sooners at 3-3 overall and 1-2 in SEC play.
“Everything that he's done, the player that he is, the preparation that he has, we believe that John Mateer gives us the best chance to win,” Arbuckle said. He added that Oklahoma had to eliminate “backbreaking errors, catastrophic errors” and that Mateer was not alone in that responsibility.
Mateer’s turnovers against Kentucky
Mateer was responsible for nine of Oklahoma’s 14 turnovers this season, including seven interceptions, the AP reported. Two of his three interceptions against Kentucky came in the final 16 minutes, and the Wildcats turned both into touchdowns. Mateer completed 24 of 40 passes for 270 yards and a touchdown in the loss; the three interceptions matched his career high.
The performance followed a turnover-free game against Texas. Two throws by Mateer on Oklahoma’s final drive set up the field goal that ended a 27-24 upset of the No. 1 team. Across the season, he has completed 114 of 175 passes, or 65.1%, for 1,308 yards and nine touchdowns, according to the AP.
Arbuckle accepts responsibility for the errors
Arbuckle said he shared responsibility for the mistakes as the person who calls and designs the plays. “I have to be better and I have to take accountability for whenever one of those backbreaking mistakes happen,” he said, while acknowledging that Mateer makes decisions on the field in real time.
Mateer has also played behind an injured offensive line. Three regulars missed the Kentucky game, and Ryan Fodje injured an ankle late in the third quarter and struggled to play through it, the AP reported. Coach Brent Venables said after the game that he saw improvement in Mateer and thought the quarterback had given Oklahoma a chance to win.
Oklahoma’s official roster lists Mateer as a quarterback who previously played at Washington State. Arbuckle worked with him there in 2024, when Mateer accounted for 44 touchdowns, before both moved to Oklahoma, according to the AP. The Sooners are scheduled to play at Mississippi State on Saturday, October 24.
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Sources and context
- Oklahoma: John Mateer remains best QB option despite turnovers, inconsistencyESPN (Associated Press report)
- John Mateer - 2026 - Football - University of OklahomaUniversity of Oklahoma Athletics
AI-assisted article checked against the listed sources. NewsJaws did not conduct interviews or attend the reported events.