John Mateer Remains Oklahoma Starting Quarterback
John Mateer Remains Oklahoma Starting Quarterback as Sooners Prepare for No. 1 Texas
Oklahoma coach Brent Venables says fifth-year senior John Mateer will remain the Sooners' starting quarterback following the bye week despite a recent surge in turnovers and a difficult performance in OU's 41-13 loss at Georgia. Venables confirmed Mateer's status following Wednesday's practice while acknowledging backup quarterbacks Whitt Newbauer and Bowe Bentley are receiving increased practice repetitions.
The John Mateer starting quarterback decision comes at a pivotal point for Oklahoma, which enters the second half of its schedule at 2-2 and will next face No. 1 Texas in the Red River Rivalry on October 10. Mateer has committed six turnovers over Oklahoma's last three games, including three during a damaging second quarter against Georgia, but Venables continues to publicly back the veteran team captain.
John Mateer Starting Quarterback Despite Recent Turnover Problems
Mateer's position came under scrutiny following Oklahoma's loss in Athens, where turnovers helped turn a competitive game into a decisive Georgia victory.
The Sooners trailed only 14-13 at halftime, but Mateer committed three consecutive turnovers during the second quarter.
He threw an interception on an underthrown pass before losing two fumbles. One came when a backward pass was recovered by Georgia linebacker Chris Cole, who returned it 85 yards for a touchdown.
Oklahoma finished with four turnovers in the 41-13 loss, falling to 2-2.
Venables acknowledged after the game that the coaching staff discussed making a quarterback change at halftime. Mateer remained in the game and finished 25-of-34 passing for 231 yards with two late touchdowns, but the first-half mistakes had already put Oklahoma in a significant deficit.
The Sooners' official Georgia game statistics and recap provide the broader context for an offense that also struggled to establish its running game, finishing with only 65 rushing yards on 35 attempts.
Mateer's problems extend beyond the Georgia game.
Over Oklahoma's past three contests, he has thrown four interceptions and lost two fumbles, giving him six turnovers during that stretch.
Those mistakes have become particularly costly because Oklahoma's offense has struggled to consistently overcome negative possessions.
Venables, however, made his position clear Wednesday.
"John's our starting quarterback," he said when asked about the situation.
Whitt Newbauer and Bowe Bentley Get More Practice Reps
Backing Mateer does not mean Oklahoma is ignoring its alternatives.
Venables said Whitt Newbauer and Bowe Bentley both received "a lot of reps" during Wednesday's bye-week practice.
Newbauer, a redshirt freshman, gives Oklahoma a quarterback with another year in the program, while Bentley is a highly regarded freshman who arrived in Norman as part of the Sooners' 2026 recruiting class.
The increased workload gives both quarterbacks additional preparation if Oklahoma needs to make a change because of performance or injury.
But Venables stopped well short of suggesting either will play against Texas.
Asked whether Newbauer or Bentley could see action in Dallas, Venables responded: "I have no idea. We're not there right now. John's our starting quarterback."
Oklahoma's official football roster lists all three quarterbacks as the Sooners work through a position that has become one of the most closely watched areas of the team entering October.
The bye week provides offensive coaches an opportunity to work with Mateer without the immediate pressure of preparing for a Saturday game.
Turnovers are an obvious focus, but Oklahoma also needs greater consistency around its quarterback.
Against Georgia, the Sooners struggled to run the football, making the offense increasingly dependent on Mateer against one of the nation's strongest defenses.
Improving protection, establishing a more productive running game and reducing obvious passing situations could all help reduce the pressure on the quarterback when Oklahoma returns to the field.
The decision to give the backups additional repetitions also provides insurance heading into a rivalry game where mistakes can quickly change momentum.
Red River Rivalry Against No. 1 Texas Comes Next
There will be little margin for error when Oklahoma returns from the bye.
The Sooners travel to Dallas for the Red River Rivalry against No. 1 Texas on October 10, giving Mateer one of the most demanding possible settings for his next start.
The annual rivalry is played at the Cotton Bowl during the State Fair of Texas, with the stadium divided between Oklahoma and Texas fans.
Oklahoma's official 2026 football schedule lists the Texas game as the Sooners' next contest following the open week.
The matchup also represents an opportunity for Oklahoma to reset a season that has quickly become more complicated.
The Sooners began 2-0 before consecutive losses dropped them to 2-2. Another defeat would put Oklahoma below .500 as it moves deeper into SEC play, while a win over the nation's top-ranked team would dramatically change the trajectory of the season.
Mateer's ability to protect the football will be central to that challenge.
Venables' decision to publicly reaffirm him as the starter removes immediate uncertainty about who will open the game at quarterback, but it does not eliminate competition behind him.
Newbauer and Bentley are getting meaningful work, and the coaching staff now has more practice information on both if circumstances eventually require a change.
For Mateer, the bye week offers a chance to address the turnovers without losing the starting job.
For Oklahoma, the larger task is making sure the quarterback is not placed in the same situations that contributed to the breakdown against Georgia.
John Mateer remains the Oklahoma starting quarterback heading into the Red River Rivalry, but with Newbauer and Bentley receiving increased repetitions and six Mateer turnovers in three games, the Sooners' quarterback situation will remain under scrutiny when OU takes the field against No. 1 Texas.
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