John Mateer agonized over Texas loss. A year later, he's Oklahoma's hero in upset win
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DALLAS — John Mateer has thought about the Red River Rivalry nearly every day since his nightmarish performance against Texas last season.
The second-year Oklahoma starter has struggled in 2026, with his status as a starter coming into question entering the matchup with No. 1 Texas on Saturday, Oct. 10, after the Sooners stumbled to a 2-2 record to open the season.
But the turnover-prone quarterback, who committed three in a 41-13 loss to Georgia two weeks ago, made the two biggest throws of his career in a critical moment late in the fourth quarter against archrival Texas. With 19 seconds left, Mateer made back-to-back throws to go-to receiver Isaiah Sategna for 13 and 20 yards, respectively, to set up Tate Sandell’s game-winning 47-yard field goal.
that's another catch 🤲 https://t.co/dU2WVdYcCdpic.twitter.com/0G4NiWiQJV
— Oklahoma Football (@OU_Football) October 10, 2026
But it was those scars —his three-interception performance against the Longhorns in 2025 and the one he sports on his right hand from his well-documented injury last season — that ultimately fueled his performance in Oklahoma’s 27-24 upset win.
“Last year, this game hit real deep,” Mateer said. “I came back and I wanted to do it, and it turns out it’s not Hollywood. … I’ve thought about this game for 365 days. It’s the truth. I did, and there’s real power in that.”
Mateer was far from prolific — and far from pretty — as he completed 18-of-26 passes for 155 yards with no touchdowns. But he gave Oklahoma’s stalwart defense and special teams a chance. The Sooners were outgained 382-238 by the Longhorns, but blocked a punt returned for a touchdown by Dakoda Fields. The defense gave up three Arch Maning touchdown passes, but a 42-yard pick-6 by Peyton Bowen and a late interception by Courtland Guillory gave Oklahoma its first lead of the game.
Mateer didn’t necessarily out-play Manning, either: He completed 19-of-31 passes for 260 yards with three touchdowns in the game, but those two fourth-quarter interceptions were game changing in a matchup that included 16 total punts.
It’s a step in the right direction, though, for a quarterback who has been the most visible target of criticism regarding Oklahoma's offense from across college football.
“I thought he did a great job playing quarterback,” Venables said. “Taking care of the ball, taking what was there, playing complementary football and not trying to win the game in the first quarter. … John was just really, really good when we had to be.”
Mateer’s shortcomings have been detailed by media and fans alike this season. He was booed off the field in Oklahoma’s 14-6 win over New Mexico in Week 3 as frustrations around the Sooners’ poor offense mounted. His decision-making and processing ability at times has been poor, too, such as his fourth-quarter interception that led to Michigan’s game-winning touchdown in Week 2.
Venables and offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle debated benching Mateer at halftime against Georgia, but decided to stick with their fifth-year quarterback. The decision paid off against the Longhorns, and the Sooners’ staff trusted him late in the game.
“I can’t even imagine being in his shoes,” said linebacker Owen Heinecke, who finished the game with nine total tackles. “Dealing with all the negativity. Is it warranted? Probably.
“But all he can do is respond and that’s what he did today. No turnovers, moved the ball in a timely way. When we needed plays, he made them.”
While those concerns about Mateer and Oklahoma’s scoring woes might not go away, given their status as the SEC’s worst-rated offense, a win against an archrival goes generates a lot of goodwill. Can it be a first step to turn around not only Oklahoma’s season, but also Mateer's?
His internal battles were an afterthought after the game, as he donned the Golden Hat and led the Oklahoma band in celebration. Perhaps it’s the start of a turnaround for a Sooners team that entered the season with more than just first-round CFP hopes.
“It comes with the arena,” Venables said of the noise surrounding Oklahoma. “But at the same time, sometimes that fuels you. I don’t think you look for that to fuel you, but I do think that it brought us closer inside our building. … I would be lying if I said that your confidence can get shaken if you’re not having success as a player, as a unit, as a team.
“But it takes a great deal of mental toughness and physical toughness to keep showing back up.”
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: John Mateer agonized over Texas loss. A year later, he's Oklahoma's hero in upset win
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