John Mateer says he's "full go" for practice this week
NORMAN — There’s already an important development for Oklahoma heading into this weekend’s clash at South Carolina.
John Mateer will be a full participant in practice.
The OU quarterback recovered quickly from a thumb procedure, playing against Texas just 17 days after surgery. Mateer wasn’t able to fully practice for much of that time off, and his rhythm appeared off in the 23-6 loss to the Longhorns.
Mateer will be fully on the field for the Sooners this week, though he was quick to say that the lack of practice time wasn’t to blame for his performance last Saturday.
“I’m full go,” Mateer said Monday about his availability this week. “I’m good. I played in the game so if anything starts hurting, I’ll chill out, but I’m good to go.
“Practice is super important. I don’t think that was the reason everything happened but it’s super important for any player from professional to youth. You need to practice. It’ll be good getting into a rhythm and working my body, being ready to go.”
Mateer did return against the Longhorns, but he didn’t resemble the player he was through the first four games. He finished with 202 passing yards while completing 53% of his passes, but he threw three interceptions. It was also his first game as a Sooner that he didn’t score a touchdown.
There was concern about whether the thumb bothered Mateer during the game, but he said he felt fine after the game. Instead, he said he wasn’t mentally prepared, and that’ll be the focus this week.
“Decision-making,” Mateer said on where he needs to improve. “Taking another breath and really seeing the field. Knowing the situation, not guessing and doing too much. That’s what came up and I’m obviously not happy about it. Nobody is, nobody should be. But my teammates have my back and I appreciate that.”
Mateer also detailed the recovery process following his thumb surgery.
“A lot of the mental reps,” Mateer said about the challenge. “Just standing back and seeing. Just knowing when you can pull the trigger, like, ‘this is where I’m going to throw,’ and just seeing it, taking the reps with your eyes. It’s huge, and it helps. I thought I did a good job of keeping my body ready, keeping my legs ready.
“My hand was hurt, but that doesn’t mean my legs were hurt, so I kept running and everything. I felt ready to go. I was good, and I was throwing normal. Yeah, process was tough, but I got to where I needed to be. I just didn’t perform.”
The Sooners will certainly need Mateer to be better this weekend against South Carolina (11:45 a.m. CT, SECN). The Gamecocks (3-3, 1-3 SEC) have struggled this season both sides of the ball, but it won’t be easy for the Sooners to win on the road. But after a tough performance against the Longhorns, Mateer knows the offense will need to be better.
He said his confidence level is high as the Sooners prepare for the Gamecocks.
“Obviously, never been there before,” Mateer said. “First road SEC game so I’m excited. If your confidence is fragile in this league and in this game, you don’t have a chance. Being a man, it was tough. Tough on me obviously, again, I’m not happy about it but you’ve got to step up and find a way and I will.”
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