How Brent Venables, Ben Arbuckle aim to help OU quarterback John Mateer through recent struggles
NORMAN — It’s no secret that John Mateer hasn’t played up to his lofty expectations.
The OU quarterback’s production has been modest in his last three starts since returning from surgery on his right thumb. He’s thrown for 595 yards (190 per game), two touchdowns and three interceptions since his return, while adding just 36 total rushing yards. He particularly struggled in the second half in last Saturday’s loss to Ole Miss, completing just 6/18 passing attempts for 70 yards after halftime.
Mateer was adament Monday night that his struggles aren’t related to his injury. OU offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle and head coach Brent Venables acknowledged Tuesday that Mateer’s play hasn’t been the only issue, but there’s urgency in getting him back on track.
“It’s no secret and John’s said it — he didn’t play his best ball,” Arbuckle said. “I don’t think that’s all on John. Were there moments where you’d like for him to be on point and deliver the ball where it needs to, or make the toss when he needs to? Absolutely. But I also look at myself in the mirror whenever that happens. What did I not do throughout the week to get connected in that? John knows that he has to play better but I don’t think in any way, shape or form his confidence is just shaken.
“He didn’t play his best. He knows that. I know that. We all know that. He didn’t play his best but the way that he came in Sunday and came in Monday and owned the mistakes that he had, he didn’t try to make excuses for things. He didn’t do that. He just owned it and said, ‘I’ve got to be better.’”
Mateer was far from the only issue against Ole Miss. The OU defense surrendered season highs in both total yards (431) and points (34). Isaiah Sategna committed a costly punt-return fumble in the fourth quarter. The Sooners were penalized eight times for 52 yards.
But Mateer also struggled to find open receivers, and he was often inaccurate with his throws. It’s been a different picture for Mateer, who emerged as an early candidate for the Heisman Trophy.
“That’s the biggest thing is being disciplined with your eyes and your footwork,” Arbuckle said. “Your eyes and your footwork, they win. And that’s in any offense. My system, anybody’s system, eyes and footwork always win at the quarterback position. And timing wins. But that goes back to your eyes and footwork.
“And the best way that I can help him is at practice, it’s just demanding it out of him. And demanding perfection. You’re never going to get it, but just demanding it. ‘Hey, this drop, be perfect with it. Hey, it’s covered over there, get your eyes off it quicker. It’s fine. Go on to the next one. If it’s not there, don’t hang onto it, trying to make something happen.’ And that’s how I can be better for him, specifically out at the practice field.
Venables said he plays a role in helping Mateer bounce back.
“Just get your arm around him, talk, open and honest with him,” Venables said. “Try to help him manage the burden of expectations and the burden of responsibility. Certainly everything goes through the quarterback. I’ve said this a lot: You’re playing good people, you can’t have a quarterback that plays poorly and expect to win, but you don’t have to play perfect to win, either. You just have to manage the game well.
“For the most part he’s done a really good job with that. We’re 6-2. The success that we’ve had has been because he’s done a great job of playing well at all the right times. And collectively, we’ve got to play better as well to help him, but you always talk to them from the beginning of the day to the end of the day when we cross paths either in the building or out on the practice field. My biggest role is trying to support him and help him manage the responsibility from a leadership standpoint.”
There should be opportunities for Mateer to bounce back as soon as this Saturday at Tennessee (6:30 p.m. CT, ABC). The Volunteers’ defense has struggled, and they rank 101st in total defense and 124th in passing defense. Winning at Neyland Stadium won’t be easy, but there should be opportunities for Mateer and the offense to attack the Volunteers.
Arbuckle is confident Mateer will respond.
“The other way I can be better for him is again, always instilling confidence in him,” Arbuckle said. “Always instilling belief in him, and he has no shortage of confidence. He knows that myself and coach Venables believe in him to the nth degree. Just reminding him of that, but demanding excellence at practice.
“I don’t think his confidence is shaken at all. He’s a mature kid, he’s a tough kid. Just how he’s been Sunday and Monday with our walkthrough practice yesterday, he was really, really good and excited to see him throughout this week of work and excited to see him play on Saturday.”