John Mateer feeling 'better than he's been' before OU-Alabama CFP game

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NORMAN — OU football quarterback John Mateer practiced without tape on his right throwing hand on Monday.

It was the first time the Sooners' starter was seen throwing a football without tape since he underwent surgery in September.

"If you asked him, he still has some soreness, so he's not pain free," Venables said Wednesday. "From a stability standpoint, he's better than he's been, gripping the ball and things like that."

Mateer is aiming to lead OU to its first College Football Playoff victory against Alabama at 7 p.m. Friday at Gaylord Family — Oklahoma Memorial Stadium.

He said Monday the time off and practice reps he's gotten since the end of the regular season have been beneficial.

“Practice brings confidence, I’ve believed that my whole life,” Mateer said. “Just being able to do it, get back to where I was — it’s still a battle. It happened, and I’m always battling for it, being really detailed in the way I throw it every time the ball comes out of my hand."

Colton Sulley covers the Oklahoma Sooners for The Oklahoman. Have a story idea for Colton? He can be reached at csulley@oklahoman.com or on X/Twitter at @colton_sulley. Support Colton's work and that of other Oklahoman journalists by purchasing a digital subscription today at subscribe.oklahoman.com.

OU vs. Alabama

KICKOFF: 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 19 at Gaylord Family — Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman (ABC/ESPN)

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: OU football QB John Mateer practices without tape on hand ahead of CFP

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