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Oklahoma

Brent Venables unsure how John Mateer injury is impacting performance

ns_headshot_2024-clearby: Nick Schultz13 hours agoNickSchultz_7
John Mateer, Oklahoma
© SARAH PHIPPS/THE OKLAHOMAN / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

For the second time since John Mateer returned from thumb surgery, Oklahoma suffered a loss. He had an up-and-down day on Saturday in the Sooners’ home loss to Ole Miss, and head coach Brent Venables admitted he’s not sure how the injury is impacting his quarterback’s performance.

Mateer completed 17 of 31 passes for 223 yards and a touchdown in the 34-26 loss in Norman. On the whole, in the three games since he returned from injury, he has completed 55-of-95 passes (57.8%) for 575 yards and two touchdowns. For comparison, prior to the surgery, Mateer had a 67.4 completion percentage as he threw for 1,215 yards and six touchdowns before undergoing surgery.

Venables told reporters the Washington State transfer looks good in practice. However, he couldn’t say for sure if Mateer was still limited at all.

“I don’t know,” Venables said. “Have to ask him. He’s practiced well. He’s thrown with good accuracy and has made good decisions. I do think that’s still a process of getting completely, fully healed. I’m not sure if he has the limitations or not.

“Again, his velocity is good. His accuracy has been really good. I haven’t seen the limitations at practice.”

Saturday’s game marked Oklahoma’s second loss of the year, and it came in a key matchup. It was billed as a potential College Football Playoff elimination game as both the Sooners and Ole Miss entered with one loss apiece. A win would have been huge not only in the SEC race, but also for the CFP.

Afterward, John Mateer said he simply had a rough day. Whether it was missed reads or not seeing the field well enough, he said it wasn’t enough to help Oklahoma get over the hump.

“Can’t miss opportunities when they’re there,” Mateer said. “I had a lot of mis-reads, and I thought the guys played well, but didn’t take advantage of all the opportunities. One for three in the red zone for a touchdown, you have to score in the red zone in this league, and against that offense, you’ve got to score. We didn’t do that.”

Oklahoma fell to 6-2 as a result of Saturday’s game. The Sooners now will get ready for their final four games of the year, starting with a matchup at Neyland Stadium against Tennessee prior to their last bye week.