Tag: sooners

Oklahoma retains QB John Mateer, LB Kip Lewis

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The University of Oklahoma announced Thursday night on social media that quarterback John Mateer and linebacker Kip Lewis will return in 2026.

Mateer, who transferred from Washington State to Oklahoma prior to the 2025 season, completed 62.2% percent of his passes for 2,885 yards and 14 touchdowns. He also rushed for 431 yards and a team-high eight scores as the Sooners’ 10-3 season ended with a College Football Playoff first-round home loss to Alabama.

Mateer broke a bone in his throwing hand against Auburn on Sept. 20 and underwent surgery, yet he missed just one game as he returned at least one week sooner than estimated. He threw for eight touchdowns and eight interceptions in his eight games following the surgery.

Lewis, who also wore No. 10 for Oklahoma, produced a team-high 76 tackles for the SEC’s stingiest defense. The rising senior recorded 10.5 tackles for loss, four sacks, five quarterback hits and four pass breakups for a Sooners unit that allowed just 15.2 points per game.

–Field Level Media

No. 8 Oklahoma gets late TD to survive LSU, likely clinch CFP bid

Posted on | by Field Level Media

John Mateer threw for 318 yards and two touchdowns, overcoming three interceptions to help No. 8 Oklahoma to a 17-13 win over LSU on Saturday in Norman, Oklahoma.

The win, their fourth consecutive, likely puts the Sooners into the College Football Playoff for the first time since 2019.

It wasn’t over, though, until Peyton Bowen batted down Michael Van Buren Jr.’s fourth-down pass from deep in Oklahoma territory with 1:16 remaining.

The Sooners’ offense struggled overall but found just enough late to avoid the upset.

Mateer hit Isaiah Sategna III for a 58-yard touchdown with just 4:16 remaining, and then Oklahoma (10-2, 6-2 SEC) held on in the closing minutes to escape.

LSU (7-5, 3-5) got a 47-yard kick return by Barion Brown to get near midfield after Sategna’s touchdown but they couldn’t find the end zone, as Gracen Halton broke through the line on fourth-and-2 from the Oklahoma 29, forcing Van Buren to get rid of the ball quickly and setting up Bowen’s clinching pass breakup.

Sategna finished with nine catches for 121 yards and a touchdown.

Mateer’s passing total was his second-highest of the season and highest since the season opener.

Oklahoma outgained the Tigers 393-198, holding LSU to just 113 yards passing and 85 yards on the ground.

It was LSU’s lowest offensive output since November 3, 2018, when they mustered only 196 total yards against then-No. 2 Alabama.

The Tigers made the first big defensive play, with Harold Perkins Jr. intercepting Mateer’s pass on third down and returning it 44 yards to the Oklahoma 4 just three minutes into the game.

But the Sooners immediately answered, with Bowen intercepting Van Buren on the next play to give Oklahoma the ball back.

Much of the Sooners’ first-half offense came two drives later, when they converted twice on third downs before getting a 38-yard field goal by Tate Sandell.

After Oklahoma turned the ball over on downs near midfield late in the first, LSU was able to get a 25-yard field goal from Ramos to tie the game.

The Tigers took advantage of a short field in the third quarter after A.J. Haulcy’s 42-yard interception return gave LSU the ball at the Oklahoma 33.

Van Buren’s 23-yard run on third down set up his 1-yard touchdown pass to Thomas a play later to put the Tigers up 10-3.

The Sooners tied it 10-10 late in the quarter, on John Mateer’s 45-yard touchdown pass to Deion Burks.

Oklahoma’s defense looked like it had come up with a major stop, pushing the Tigers out of field-goal range with a 17-yard loss on a fumbled lateral.

However, Van Buren hit Zavion Thomas for an 18-yard gain on third down to put LSU back in field-goal territory, and Damian Ramos hit a 43-yard field goal to put the Tigers on top 13-10 with just less than eight minutes remaining.

–Field Level Media

No. 11 Oklahoma pulls off road upset of No. 4 Bama to keep CFP hopes alive

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Oklahoma forced three turnovers and its defense came up with a big stop late to lift the 11th-ranked Sooners to a 23-21 win over No. 4 Alabama on Saturday in Tuscaloosa, Ala.

The win keeps the Sooners (8-2, 4-2 in SEC play) in contention for a College Football Playoff berth while keeping the Crimson Tide from clinching a spot in the SEC Championship Game.

Alabama (8-2, 6-1) outgained Oklahoma 406-212, but the turnovers and timely stops from the Sooners defense helped them pull off the victory.

Oklahoma trailed late in the third quarter when D-lineman Taylor Wein hit Crimson Tide quarterback Ty Simpson in the backfield, forcing a fumble that was recovered by linebacker Kendal Daniels in Alabama territory.

The Sooners settled for a 24-yard field goal from Tate Sandell — his third of the game — early in the fourth quarter to take a 23-21 lead, and the defense made it hold up.

Oklahoma forced a quick three-and-out, but the offense couldn’t add to the lead, giving the ball back to the Crimson Tide at their own 6 with 7:14 remaining.

Alabama converted one third down and one fourth down, driving past midfield, but Peyton Bowen broke up Simpson’s fourth-down pass to Ryan Williams near midfield in the final minute to seal the victory.

Simpson threw for 326 yards and a touchdown but was sacked four times and threw a critical interception, plus the fumble.

John Mateer was 15-of-23 passing for 138 yards for the Sooners.

The loss was Alabama’s first at home under head coach Kalen DeBoer.

Oklahoma jumped out to a 10-0 lead early thanks to special teams and defense.

After a quick three-and-out from Alabama to start the game, Isaiah Sategna returned the subsequent punt 42 yards to put the Sooners in good field position and set up Sandell’s first field goal.

Late in the first quarter, Eli Bowen’s 87-yard interception return for a touchdown extended Oklahoma’s lead.

The interception was just the second of the season for Simpson.

Alabama finally got going offensively on the next drive, which finished with Daniel Hill’s 1-yard touchdown run. Hill added another touchdown in the second half.

After another Crimson Tide turnover, this time on a fumbled punt return, Mateer broke through for a 20-yard touchdown run.

Alabama responded, pulling to within 17-14 on Josh Cuevas’ 25-yard touchdown reception.

The Crimson Tide had a chance to tie it or take the lead going into halftime, driving 69 yards in the final 3:16, but Wein got a hand on Conor Talty’s 36-yard field goal attempt as time expired.

–Field Level Media

Oct 25, 2025; Lexington, Kentucky, USA; Tennessee Volunteers quarterback Joey Aguilar (6) looks of an open receiver during the first quarter against the Kentucky Wildcats at Kroger Field. Mandatory Credit: Jordan Prather-Imagn Images

No. 14 Tennessee brings high-powered offense to clash with No. 18 Oklahoma

Posted on | by Field Level Media

It’s become the norm for Oklahoma to face some of the top offenses in college football.

The 18th-ranked Sooners’ defense has had plenty of strong moments in showdowns with Texas and Ole Miss, though Oklahoma lost both of those games.

Saturday brings another tough test when the Sooners take on No. 14 Tennessee in Knoxville, Tenn.

Oklahoma coach Brent Venables narrowed in on Volunteers quarterback Joey Aguilar when asked about the challenge of defending the Tennessee offense.

“He’s helped their offense just be incredibly efficient and explosive,” Venables said. “He’s thrown the deep ball with great, great accuracy, and he’s allowed them to stay on schedule through all eight games.”

The Volunteers (6-2, 3-2 SEC) come into the game second nationally in points per game at 45.6, and third in total offense (510.1 yards per game) and passing offense (266.3).

Aguilar has thrown for 2,344 yards and 18 touchdowns with six interceptions.

The Sooners are sixth nationally in points allowed per game at 12.5, tied for fourth in first downs allowed (103) and second in sacks per game at 3.6.

“Their front’s big, strong, physical, relentless,” Tennessee coach Josh Heupel said. “Tackles for loss, sacks, not giving up a bunch of big plays – huge test.”

Both teams are looking for better things from their weaker sides of the ball, though.

In last week’s 56-34 win over Kentucky, the Volunteers gave up 476 yards, including 330 through the air.

“It takes 11 guys doing their job at a high level ultimately,” Heupel said. “Yeah, our personnel is different in some places, and that forces you at times to be different too, in positions that you’re putting some of your guys in.”

Oklahoma’s offense hasn’t been nearly as good in recent weeks as it was early in the season.

The Sooners (6-2, 2-2) are still 99th nationally in rushing at 130.1 yards per game but hope they’ve found something in sophomore Xavier Robinson, who ran for 109 yards and two touchdowns on just nine carries in last week’s 34-26 loss to Ole Miss.

“There’s a lot of stuff to build on,” Oklahoma offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle said. “It all just comes down to a mindset and a certain physicality that you have. … It’s been nice to get it going a little bit but it ain’t good enough. It’s not. We’ve got to keep on getting better at it.”

Oklahoma is also searching for better things from quarterback John Mateer, who excelled early in the season but who has taken a step back since returning from a hand injury that kept him out of the Oct. 4 game vs. Kent State.

“There’s an opportunity,” Mateer said. “That’s all you can dream for as a man and as a football player – just the opportunity to bounce back and to play.”

There’s plenty of familiarity between the staffs.

Heupel quarterbacked the Sooners to the 2000 national title with Venables serving as the team’s co-defensive coordinator.

Volunteers’ offensive coordinator Joey Halzle and analysts Seth Littrell and Landry Jones are also former Sooners.

The game is the second between the teams in SEC play. Tennessee won last year’s game 25-15 in Norman.

Saturday’s meeting is the second between the programs in Knoxville.

Oklahoma won the previous meeting, 31-24, in double overtime in 2015.

-Field Level Media

Oklahoma quarterback John Mateer (10) before an NCAA football game between the Oklahoma Sooners (OU) and Kent State Golden Flashes at Gaylord Family - Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Okla., Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025.

Oklahoma QB John Mateer (hand) probable to play Texas

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Oklahoma quarterback John Mateer is in line to play in the Red River Rivalry game against Texas after he was upgraded to probable on the SEC availability report Thursday.

Mateer underwent surgery on his right (throwing) hand on Sept. 24 after sustaining a broken bone four days prior during a 24-17 win against Auburn.

The sixth-ranked Sooners had a bye after that game and have played only one game since, a 44-0 home victory over Kent State.

“I don’t know when John Mateer will be back, really not even anything to talk about,” Oklahoma coach Brent Venables said Monday. “He’s on a progression through however long it takes those injuries to heal.”

Michael Hawkins Jr. started in Mateer’s place against Kent State and came away with 162 passing yards and three touchdowns on 14-of-24 passing, along with 33 yards and one score on the ground. Hawkins would be in line to face Arch Manning and Texas if Mateer cannot play.

A Washington State transfer, Mateer became the early Heisman Trophy frontrunner before his injury. He passed for 1,215 yards, six touchdowns and three interceptions and rushed for 190 yards and five scores in four games. The redshirt junior also led Oklahoma to a 24-13 victory against then-No. 15 Michigan on Sept. 6.

–Field Level Media

Oklahoma's Isaiah Sategna III (5) returns a punt for a long gain as Kent State punter Charlie Durkin (61) defends during the first half of an NCAA football game between the Oklahoma Sooners (OU) and Kent State Golden Flashes at Gaylord Family - Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Okla., Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025.

No. 5 Oklahoma blanks Kent State without QB John Mateer

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Michael Hawkins Jr. threw for 162 yards and three touchdowns and ran for a fourth score as No. 5 Oklahoma beat Kent State 44-0 on Saturday in Norman, Okla.

The Sooners outgained the Golden Flashes 355-135, holding Kent State to 17 rushing yards.

Hawkins made his first start of the season after Heisman Trophy candidate John Mateer broke a bone in his throwing hand early in the Sept. 20 win over Auburn. Mateer finished that game, but he underwent surgery a few days after the victory.

Oklahoma wasn’t the only team without its starting quarterback as Kent State’s Dru DeShields was held out of the game with an unspecified injury. Devin Kargman made his first start since 2023, going 8 of 16 for 74 yards and an interception.

The Sooners (5-0) scored on each of their first five possessions, starting with Hawkins’ 30-yard touchdown pass to Isaiah Sategna on their first drive.

The drive was a costly one, though.

Two plays before the touchdown, wide receiver Keontez Lewis suffered an apparent neck injury after Hawkins’ pass sailed over the back of the end zone. Lewis ran headfirst into the brick wall beyond the end zone.

Lewis was evaluated at the stadium, which “proved promising” according to an Oklahoma spokesman, before being transported to a local hospital.

Sategna finished with four catches for 75 yards and two touchdowns to lead the Sooners. He also had 97 punt return yards.

Tate Sandell hit three field goals, including a 55-yarder late in the first half to send the Sooners into the break leading 23-0.

Oklahoma came into the game ranked second nationally in total defense despite being the only team in FBS without a takeaway.

That changed early in the third quarter, when R Mason Thomas stripped Kargman on a sack and Gracen Halton picked up the fumble and returned it four yards for a touchdown to put the Sooners up 30-0.

Jaydan Hardy intercepted Kargman later in the quarter.

Kent State (1-4) has dropped four consecutive games and has not beaten an FBS opponent since 2022.

Oklahoma recorded five sacks and 13 tackles for loss.

Freshman Tory Blaylock ran for 78 yards on 15 carries to lead the Sooners.

–Field Level Media

Oklahoma Sooners quarterback John Mateer (10) throws a pass during a college football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners (OU) and the Auburn Tigers at Gaylord Family Ð Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Okla., Saturday,Sept. 20, 2025. Oklahoma won 24-17.

Oklahoma QB, Heisman frontrunner John Mateer to miss time due to hand surgery

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Oklahoma quarterback and early Heisman frontrunner John Mateer will undergo surgery to address a right-hand injury he suffered in the first quarter of last week’s victory over Auburn, the school announced on Tuesday.

OU head coach Brent Venables says the expectation is that Mateer will be able to return to action sometime this season.

“After consulting with medical experts, it became clear that surgery is the best option for John and his short- and long-term future,” Venables said. “He’s extremely disappointed he will miss some game action but is eager to correct the issue and move forward. As he is with everything, we know he will be aggressive with his rehabilitation and work to return to the field as quickly as possible.”

Mateer, a redshirt junior, has been a revelation for the Sooners’ offense since transferring in from Washington State this offseason to join former WSU offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle in Norman. Through No. 7 Oklahoma’s 4-0 start, including wins over Michigan and Auburn, Mateer has thrown for 1,215 yards, six touchdowns and three interceptions while rushing for 190 yards and four scores.

Over his last 16 games across the 2024-25 seasons, Mateer has thrown for 4,354 yards, rushed for 1,016 and accounted for 55 touchdowns (35 passing, 20 rushing). He entered this week with the best odds to win the Heisman Trophy (+700), according to BetMGM.

In Mateer’s absence, Oklahoma announced that sophomore Michael Hawkins Jr. will be the team’s starting QB for the time being. Hawkins started four games and appeared in seven last year as a true freshman, throwing for 783 yards, three touchdowns and two interceptions and rushing for 204 yards and a score.

“We have all the confidence in the world in Michael and are excited for his opportunity to lead our offense while John recovers,” Venables said. “He had some big moments for us last season as a true freshman and has just gotten better and better. I’m proud of the work Michael’s put in and the progress he’s made, and know he will attack this opportunity to help lead our football team.”

The Sooners are off this week and return to action next week vs. Kent State (1-3) before taking on rival Texas on Oct. 11 in the Red River Rivalry in Dallas.

–Field Level Media

Sep 20, 2025; Norman, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma Sooners wide receiver Isaiah Sategna III (5) is left uncovered during the first half against the Auburn Tigers at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images

SEC: Refs missed ‘unfair tactic’ on Oklahoma TD in win over Auburn

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The Southeastern Conference criticized one of its officiating crews for missing a “hideout tactic” used on a touchdown pass by No. 11 Oklahoma in its 24-17 victory over No. 22 Auburn on Saturday afternoon in Norman, Okla.

The Sooners should have been assessed a 15-yard penalty for team unsportsmanlike conduct, according to an SEC statement late Saturday night. Instead, wide receiver Isaiah Sategna III was wide open when he scored on a 24-yard pass from John Mateer for a 10-3 lead with 10:45 left in the second quarter.

Sategna had jogged along the line of scrimmage toward the Sooners’ bench, seemingly headed out of the game — as if he was getting replaced with a substitution on second down. But Sategna stopped short of the sideline and lined up for the snap.

“No simulated replacements or substitutions may be used to confuse opponents,” the SEC statement said, citing NCAA football rule 9-2, article 2, which is labeled “unfair tactics.”

“No tactic associated with substitutes or the substitution process may be used to confess opponents,” the statement continued. “This includes any hideout tactic with or without a substitution. The officiating crew did not properly interpret the action as a hideout tactic. If properly officiated, the second down play should have resulted in a team unsportsmanlike conduct penalty of 15 yards assessed from the previous spot.”

The SEC added that “appropriate accountability will be applied” and that the conference will not make additional comments.

Auburn coach Hugh Freeze had a comment after the game, contending that the Tigers had tried to call timeout when they saw Sategna stay on the field but the officials said they didn’t hear them.

“We were instructed all offseason about deception plays and things. We’ll see what’s said. I really don’t know what will be said about that,” said Freeze, who added that “I better be quiet” to avoid getting a fine from the league for criticizing officials.

ESPN reported that Oklahoma coach Brent Venables said afterward that there was not deception and said the Sooners confirmed with an official that Sategna had properly lined up for the snap and that “everything was good and legal.”

Sategna had nine receptions for 127 yards in the teams’ conference opener, including the one touchdown as the Sooners improved to 4-0 overall and the Tigers dropped to 3-1.

–Field Level Media

Sep 20, 2025; Norman, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma Sooners defensive lineman David Stone (0) sacks Auburn Tigers quarterback Jackson Arnold (11) during the first half at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images

No. 11 Oklahoma records 10 sacks, stops No. 22 Auburn

Posted on | by Field Level Media

John Mateer threw for 271 yards and a touchdown and ran for another, and No. 11 Oklahoma set a program record with 10 sacks in a 24-17 victory over No. 22 Auburn on Saturday in Norman, Okla.

In the Southeastern Conference opener for both teams, the Sooners regained the lead late, then stopped the Tigers on their final drive as the defense took over.

Oklahoma tied the program record on Gracen Halton’s sack of Jackson Arnold on third down, and then on the next play, R Mason Thomas brought down Arnold in the end zone for a safety for a 24-17 Sooners lead with just over a minute remaining.

The Tigers’ onside kick didn’t go 10 yards, allowing the Sooners (4-0, 1-0 SEC) to kneel the clock out.

Auburn (3-1, 1-1) took its first lead at 17-16 with 7:08 remaining on Malcolm Simmons’ 4-yard touchdown run.

Simmons’ score capped a 14-play, 75-yard drive that took nearly eight minutes.

Auburn converted once on third down and twice on fourth downs on the drive, including a fourth-and-6 that came via a pass interference penalty on the Sooners just before Simmons’ TD.

Oklahoma immediately answered as Mateer led a quick touchdown drive, keyed by a 31-yard pass to Isaiah Sategna III that set up Mateer’s 9-yard scoring run on the next play.

Sategna’s catch was initially ruled incomplete before being overturned on review.

Mateer’s run extended his streak of scoring a rushing touchdown and throwing for a score to 10 consecutive games dating back to last season while playing for Washington State.

Sategna finished with nine catches for 127 yards.

Arnold, Oklahoma’s starting quarterback for much of last season before transferring, finished 21-of-32 passing for 220 yards and a touchdown.

The Sooners outgained the Tigers 303-287 and held Auburn to 67 rushing yards, though Oklahoma ran for only 32 itself.

After trading field goals in the first quarter, Oklahoma broke through to take the lead with a bit of trickery.

Sategna jogged along the line of scrimmage toward the Sooners’ bench, seemingly headed out of the game.

But he stopped short of the sideline and was wide open for a 24-yard touchdown catch.

The score, which came with 10:45 left in the first half, was set up by a botched Auburn punt that resulted in a 12-yard loss and gave Oklahoma the ball at the Tigers’ 12.

Auburn tied it on Cam Coleman’s 2-yard touchdown catch near the end of the half.

The Sooners took the lead on Tate Sandell’s third-quarter field goal and extended their lead to 16-10 on another Sandell field goal on the opening play of the fourth quarter.

–Field Level Media

Auburn Tigers quarterback Jackson Arnold (11) looks to pass as Auburn Tigers take on South Alabama Jaguars at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, Ala. on Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025.

QB Jackson Arnold leads No. 22 Auburn against his former team, No. 11 Oklahoma

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Jackson Arnold’s past meets his present Saturday when Arnold’s 22nd-ranked Auburn Tigers take on No. 11 Oklahoma on Saturday in Norman, Oklahoma.

Arnold was the Sooners’ quarterback for much of last season, when Oklahoma’s offense struggled and the Sooners finished 6-7.

The now-junior transferred to Auburn in the offseason as Oklahoma made offensive changes and ultimately brought in offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle and quarterback John Mateer.

So far, the changes have worked out well for both sides.

Mateer has thrown for 944 yards and five touchdowns and rushed for 161 yards and four scores.

Arnold has thrown for 501 yards and four touchdowns with no interceptions while running for 192 yards and four touchdowns.
Both are undefeated through three games. Saturday’s game is the SEC opener for both.

Oklahoma coach Brent Venables said Arnold wasn’t much different of a player than he was a year ago, when he completed 62.6% of his passes for 12 touchdowns and three interceptions. Venables noted the numerous injuries the Sooners suffered on offense a season ago, particularly among the receiver group.

“I think he’s the same guy,” Venables said. “I think he’s got a healthy football team around him. … People around him are good. Can’t play quarterback by yourself.”

Arnold declined interview requests heading up to the game, but Tigers coach Hugh Freeze spoke plenty about the challenges Arnold faces Saturday.

In 2021, Freeze coached Liberty against his old program, Ole Miss.

“That whole week, you know, it was a challenge for me not to think about some of that,” Freeze said. “I know the same will be true for Jackson.”

Freeze also had high praise for Mateer.

“You can tell that team follows him, and he’s their go-to guy in critical downs for whatever they need, and he’s got the ability to do it,” Freeze said. “You watch the tape, you think this team is one of the special ones, and he’s a large reason.”

Saturday won’t be the first meeting between the quarterbacks.

Mateer and Arnold played in the same district in high school, Mateer for Little Elm (Texas) and Arnold for Denton Guyer.

Mateer’s path to the SEC has been more circuitous, as he started his career at Washington State before transferring to Oklahoma this offseason.

“It was always the goal,” Mateer said of playing at this level. “I never knew exactly how it would work out, but it’s awesome and I’m happy to be here.”

Oklahoma won last year’s matchup 27-21 on the road and leads the all-time series 2-0. Arnold did not start last year’s game after being replaced by Michael Hawkins Jr. following his struggles the week before against Tennessee.

Last season, the Sooners’ defense set the tone in the game with Kip Lewis’ fourth-quarter interception return for a touchdown making the difference.

Oklahoma’s defense has had a strong start so far, allowing just one touchdown and 27 first downs through three games. The Sooners are fourth nationally, allowing just 181 yards per game.

Auburn figures to lean heavily on the strength of its running game. Jeremiah Cobb has rushed for 314 yards and four touchdowns.

Oklahoma will be without standout defensive end R Mason Thomas for the first half of the game after Thomas was ejected for targeting in last week’s 42-3 win over Temple.

The Tigers are looking for their first 4-0 start since 2019.

-Field Level Media