Mason Young
Tulsa World OU Sports Reporter
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NORMAN — With the Tuesday announcement that Oklahoma quarterback John Mateer will undergo surgery for an injury to his throwing hand and will miss some games, Michael Hawkins Jr. will be back under center for the Sooners.
The now-sophomore Hawkins Jr. started four games for OU last year as a true freshman. The highlights were a road win over Auburn and a pretty good showing in an Armed Forces Bowl lost to Navy. The lowlights were an ineffective performance versus Texas and a disastrous first nine plays — including two interceptions and a fumble — against South Carolina.
No. 7 OU is currently on its bye week and will resume play Oct. 4 against Kent State with Hawkins Jr. starting at QB. Head coach Brent Venables was asked Wednesday during his time on the Southeastern Conference coaches teleconference about Hawkins Jr.’s offseason growth.
“He’s just grown and matured like all players,” Venables said. “The more they play, the better they get typically. This is a developmental game. Mike’s no different. He’s worked hard at his craft. He’s got great self awareness. He’s attacked everything since the end of last season. So, again, I guess really since January, here we are eight-and-a-half months into it, and he’s really worked on the basics and I think he’s grown in his understanding of offense and defense.
“He’s picked up the offense really well and he’s got a lot of dynamic abilities. A tremendous athlete that’s also got a great arm talent. And he’s hungry, driven, and has a great work ethic. So he’s a better version of himself, really, in every category, from where he was a year ago, like you would expect. You want that for every player on your roster.”
John Mateer injury timeline?
Venables declined to say much about Mateer’s injury, which appears to have been sustained during the first quarter of OU’s 24-17 win over Auburn last Saturday.
OU’s coach didn’t give any explanation of how the Sooners and Mateer came to the decision of surgery, nor any timeline for the Heisman Trophy frontrunner’s return.
“Not really interested in going through a timeline,” Venables said. “It’s not really important now. He hasn’t had the procedure yet. He has it today. And so we’ll see how everything goes and assess things from there. We’re getting Mike Hawkins ready here for next week and that’s kind of where our thoughts are.”
Ben Arbuckle’s adjustment
Mateer and new offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle have had the offense rolling at the right moments through four games since coming over from Washington State. OU is averaging more than 430 yards and 30 points in 2025. Venables was asked to assess Arbuckle’s early work.
“He’s done a fantastic job from leadership, energy, developing an identity,” Venables said. “He’s a tough guy. He demands great discipline and accountability. Brings out the best in our guys. Knows what he wants to do. He’s been fantastic.”
One might think having to break in a quarterback he’s never coached in a game before will be a new challenge for Arbuckle, but in Venables’ eyes, nothing changes for the Sooners’ play caller with Mateer going down.
“(Arbuckle’s) role is, continue to be our offensive coordinator, get Mike Hawkins ready and continue to do what he has been just as far as (being) a leader and whatnot,” Venables said.
John Mateer’s role amid injury
Venables also expects Mateer to still play a role while injured, in helping Hawkins Jr. along.
“He’s a leader. He’s a guy that’s very connected to everybody. So we’ll keep him engaged,” Venables said. “He’s got a great lens and he’ll be able to see things from a quarterback perspective that he’ll be able to help Mike as well, when needed. But he’ll stay very involved, and you want that for him to keep him in a good rhythm.”
OU needs more from RBs?
ESPN noted Tuesday in light of Mateer’ injury that Oklahoma’s running backs are averaging 71 yards per game this season, which ranks 67th among 68 Power Four teams.
With those struggles, Mateer’s running ability was keeping OU’s offense from becoming one-dimensional. He’s OU’s leading rusher through four games with 190 yards.
With Mateer down, is it more important for the Sooners to get the backs going? Hawkins is also a dynamic runner, and that shouldn’t be discounted. Venables indicated OU would want its running backs to contribute more even if Mateer were still healthy.
“You want the running back room no matter who’s carrying the ball at quarterback to always be playing at a peak performance,” Venables said. “So it’s always important. Doesn’t really have anything to do with whether we are or aren’t running the quarterback or not. We’re gonna do both, and we need to do both at a high level.”
Good news: Gibson, Bowen close to back
Losing Mateer for an indefinite amount of time is a bad break for OU, but Venables did have some positive news Wednesday.
Venables indicated receiver Javonnie Gibson and cornerback Eli Bowen draw ever closer to making their 2025 debuts.
Bowen was a freshman All-American last season but has been kept out this season by a foot injury. Gibson, and FCS All-American last year at Arkansas-Pine Bluff, looked like he could be the Sooners No. 1 wideout before breaking his leg in spring ball.
It wouldn’t surprise if Gibson and Bowen played against Kent State.
“We expect both guys to continue to be involved in practices as we speak,” Venables said. “They have been for a couple of weeks, trying to get them the type of reps to get back into playing football. Running, catching, carrying their pads, their helmet, all of those kinds of things. But they’re right on schedule. I would expect ‘em to be contributing in the immediate future.”
mason.young@tulsaworld.com
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Mason Young
Tulsa World OU Sports Reporter
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