Mason Young
Tulsa World OU Sports Reporter
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NORMAN — When Ben Arbuckle became Oklahoma’s offensive coordinator last winter, it felt like a matter of time before quarterback John Mateer entered the transfer portal and followed his coach from Washington State to OU.
Then-Sooner starting quarterback Jackson Arnold, on the heels of a tumultuous 2024 season, entered the NCAA transfer portal the day after Arbuckle was named OU’s new play caller.
Head coach Brent Venables said during the summer that OU tried to keep Arnold, but that Arnold desired a fresh start elsewhere.
Maybe Arbuckle could’ve changed Arnold’s playing trajectory, but the proposition of sitting behind Mateer likely wasn’t tantalizing for Arnold, who had previously backed up Dillon Gabriel for a year before getting his chance to start at OU.
Now the Sooners will pit Arbuckle and Mateer against Arnold and Auburn at 2:30 p.m. Saturday at Oklahoma Memorial Stadium.
The Tulsa World asked Arbuckle on Tuesday how much, if it all, he got to know Arnold before the QB transferred to Auburn, and what their conversations were like.
“I had one conversation with Jackson and he was great,” Arbuckle said. “He’s super respectful. But that’s really about kind of where it kind of ended, you know? It’s just one of those deals where he felt like he needed a change for whatever reason it was.
“And all I’ve heard from everybody is that he’s a great young man, and so besides this week I hope nothing but the best for him. I like rooting for good people, and everyone I’ve talked to says he’s a great young man, but as far as our communication, we really had one conversation and that was about it.”
Venables and several OU players spoke highly of Arnold on Monday. Venables was also asked on Tuesday about his postseason conversations with Arnold.
“I’ll just keep that between he and I,” Venables said. “And obviously things have worked out well for him and us both. But those things are never easy, but it’s just the environment that we’re in, and I’m really happy for him that he’s having great success.
From Arnold’s Auburn tape through three games, where has Venables seen the former OU passer improve so far this season?
“I think he’s the same guy,” Venables said. “I think he’s got a healthy football team around him and he’s having great success. Running, through, being really efficient. He’s taking care of the ball. And the people around him are good. Can’t play quarterback by yourself, right? I think their offense and their defense complement one another, and he’s really done a great job.”
mason.young@tulsaworld.com
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Mason Young
Tulsa World OU Sports Reporter
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