Heisman Favorite Sidelined
The Oklahoma Sooners’ undefeated season and Heisman Trophy hopes have been dealt a significant blow. The university announced Tuesday that star quarterback John Mateer will undergo surgery on Wednesday, September 24, to repair a broken bone in his right throwing hand. The injury occurred during the first quarter of Oklahoma’s 24-17 victory over Auburn on Saturday, September 20.
Mateer, a redshirt junior transfer from Washington State, played through the injury for the remainder of the game, leading the Sooners to a crucial SEC win. However, following consultations with medical experts, surgery was deemed the best course of action. Head coach Brent Venables stated that Mateer is expected to “return to action sometime this season,” but reports suggest he could miss at least three to four weeks. This timeline puts his availability for the highly anticipated Red River Rivalry game against the Texas Longhorns in serious doubt.
Red River Rivalry Matchup Disrupted
The upcoming showdown on October 11 at the Cotton Bowl was set to feature a marquee quarterback duel between two of the nation’s top signal-callers. The No. 7 Sooners (4-0) and No. 10 Longhorns (3-1) were preparing for the 121st meeting in their historic rivalry, with the battle between Mateer and Texas quarterback Arch Manning taking center stage.
Mateer has been a dual-threat force for Oklahoma, leading the team to victories over ranked opponents Michigan and Auburn. His performance has been nothing short of spectacular, making him a frontrunner for the Heisman Trophy. A look at the season stats highlights the caliber of player the Sooners will be missing:
- John Mateer (OU): 1,215 passing yards, 6 passing TDs, 190 rushing yards, 5 rushing TDs, 67.4% completion rate.
- Arch Manning (UT): 888 passing yards, 9 passing TDs, 123 rushing yards, 5 rushing TDs, 61.3% completion rate.
As detailed by sources like digitaltrendstoday.com, Mateer’s dynamic play has been the engine of Oklahoma’s revamped offense. His absence creates a significant void just as the team heads into the toughest part of its schedule.
A Troubling Pattern for Oklahoma
Unfortunately for Sooners fans, facing their biggest rival with a compromised quarterback situation is becoming a familiar and painful theme. In 2022, an injury to starter Dillon Gabriel forced Oklahoma to turn to a backup, resulting in a crushing 49-0 shutout loss to Texas. Just last season, a quarterback fiasco saw Jackson Arnold benched, leading to another decisive 34-3 victory for the Longhorns. With Mateer now sidelined, the pressure shifts to sophomore Michael Hawkins Jr., who is expected to start in his place.
Hawkins started four games last season, posting a 1-3 record before being benched himself. He will get a chance to build confidence when Oklahoma faces Kent State on October 4 following a bye week, but the subsequent trip to Dallas for the Red River Rivalry presents a monumental challenge.
What’s Next for the Sooners?
“He’s extremely disappointed he will miss some game action but is eager to correct the issue and move forward,” Coach Venables said in a statement. “We know he will be aggressive with his rehabilitation and work to return to the field as quickly as possible.”
For now, Oklahoma’s perfect season, SEC championship aspirations, and College Football Playoff hopes rest on the shoulders of their backup quarterback and a defense that will need to elevate its play. The injury not only shakes up the Big 12 landscape but also the national Heisman race, leaving one of college football’s most electrifying players watching from the sidelines during a critical stretch of the season.
