Will John Mateer return to OU football next season? Sooners QB talks about his future
NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos...
NORMAN — A dozen games later, John Mateer still can’t believe his position.
He’s the starting quarterback for OU football. Not to mention he just played in a College Football Playoff game.
“I think sometimes I sit back and still see the logo on my chest or on my head and it kind of freaks me out,” Mateer said, “Oklahoma versus Alabama — and I just played in that game.”
Mateer, the fast riser from Little Elm, Texas, who transferred from Washington State a year ago, mostly handled the moment in the eighth-ranked Sooners’ 34-24 loss to ninth-ranked Alabama in the CFP opener Friday night at Gaylord Family — Oklahoma Memorial Stadium.
Three months after a hand surgery nearly derailed the season, Mateer looked more like himself.
He threw a pick-six on a play he said Alabama tricked him, but he also fired high-velocity passes with accuracy. He ran through defenders and dodged tackles.
There was no tape on his throwing hand for the first time since the September surgery.
So, what does that mean for his future? Will he stay with the Sooners or enter the NFL Draft?
“I haven't really thought about it yet,” Mateer said. “I'm pretty sure I'll take some time and weigh all the options and we'll see.”
Mateer completed 26 of 41 passes for 307 yards and two touchdowns. He ran for another score.
“He came out ready to play, was seeing the field really well,” OU offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle said. “Executing at a high level. Was leading. Was playing pretty fearless.”
Mateer had the Sooners up 17-0 in the second quarter.
But facing a third-and-3 at OU’s 47, Mateer scrambled. He appeared to have room to run for the first down. Instead, he spotted a wide-open Xavier Robinson downfield. The pass was mostly spot on, but Robinson did not make the catch.
The next play, OU punter Grayson Miller dropped the football and his re-attempt to kick was blocked, setting up an Alabama field goal to make it 17-10.
From there, things just went from bad to worse.
More poor special teams play. Bad penalties. A stalled offense.
“I think in that moment it's obviously a split decision,” Mateer said of the third-down play. “You trust your instincts. I knew I could run it but he's running open. It's unfortunate. It just didn't work out. Could have put it on his nose and I didn't.
“But looking back, of course, you run, keep the drive going. But I don't regret what I did. And it just didn't work out.”
OU did outgain Alabama in total yardage, 362-260. The Sooners ran 75 plays to Alabama’s 54.
But OU also ran for just 1.7 yards per carry.
That will be a focus for the offense next season, whether Mateer returns or not.
“We've got to get better at running the football,” OU coach Brent Venables said.
A second year in Arbuckle’s system could help that. More familiarity. And if Mateer returns, the offense will be even better.
He knows that. But is that enough?
“When you look at any first-year offense and the first year of a bunch of guys being together, it's tough, it's hard, building a chemistry,” Mateer said. “You only get 15 spring practices and you throw in your own, but there's only so many live situations. Even if it's the last game of the year, we're not on the same page, it's not because we didn't put in the work, it's just football.
“Any second year, look at the stats, around college football, the second year of football is typically more successful.”
Jacob Unruh is the deputy sports editor for The Oklahoman. Have a story idea for Jacob? He can be reached at junruh@oklahoman.com or on X/Twitter at @jacobunruh. Support Jacob's work and that of other Oklahoman journalists by purchasing a digital subscription today at subscribe.oklahoman.com.
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: John Mateer yet to weigh options for future with OU football, NFL
More at NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos