Key Highlights
- Oklahoma quarterback John Mateer was spotted without tape on his injured throwing hand during practice.
- Brent Venables provided an update on Mateer’s injury progress ahead of the College Football Playoff.
- Mateer maintained that any poor play this season has been due to mental errors or a lack of fundamentals.
- Offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle praised Mateer’s approach and mindset for the upcoming playoff game against Alabama.
The Road Back: John Mateer’s Injury Progress and Readiness for CFP
Oklahoma quarterback John Mateer has been a key figure in the Sooners’ pursuit of their third consecutive College Football Playoff appearance. However, his season was disrupted by an early injury to his throwing hand, causing him to miss several games.
Progress and Pain-Free Practice
“If you asked him, he still has some soreness, so he’s not pain-free,” OU coach Brent Venables said during a pre-CFP Zoom call. “From a stability standpoint, I think he’s better than he’s been and gripping the ball and things like that. So, that’s why he doesn’t have it on.” This update suggests that Mateer is making progress in his recovery but still has room for improvement.
Key Statistics and Performance
In 11 games of action this season, Mateer has thrown for 2,578 yards and 12 scores. Despite missing some time due to injury, he maintained a decent completion percentage at 62.1%, which is only slightly below his 2024 mark of 64.6%. His performance in the run game also shone as he added 416 rushing yards and seven touchdowns on 130 carries.
Leadership and Focus Ahead of CFP
Mateer’s leadership qualities were highlighted by his mindset during the offseason, which included a focus on detail and ball security. “I’d say there’s always little details that you can do better to make it more efficient,” Mateer said in reference to the rematch against Alabama. “There’s a lot of third downs that we just didn’t execute. I think that’s the biggest thing we took from the game, and I think ball security is always important.” His approach shows his commitment to improvement.
Coach Ben Arbuckle on Mateer’s Leadership
Brent Venables’ offensive coordinator, Ben Arbuckle, expressed high praise for Mateer’s leadership qualities. “I think John’s really excited,” Arbuckle said. “… As a competitor, there’s a reason John Mateer came to OU. He wants to be the best, he wants to play with the best, he wants to compete against the best. He’s never once lost sight of that.” Arbuckle also noted Mateer’s focus on detail and extra work during practice sessions.
Heading into Friday’s kickoff against Alabama, the expectations are high for both the Sooners and their quarterback John Mateer. With a focused mindset and progress in his recovery, he is ready to lead Oklahoma towards another CFP appearance.