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Brent Venables says John Mateer will 'push limits' during recovery

headshotby: George Stoia09/30/25GeorgeStoia
NCAA Football: Michigan at Oklahoma
Sep 6, 2025; Norman, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma Sooners quarterback John Mateer (10) celebrates with head coach Brent Venables after the game against the Michigan Wolverines at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images

OU coach Brent Venables knows it’s a balance when it comes to his quarterback trying to return quickly from injury. John Mateer isn’t someone who wants to wait, though.

Mateer injured his right throwing hand in the first quarter of the Auburn game and still helped the Sooners win. But on Wednesday last week, Mateer had surgery on the broken hand and could miss several weeks. There is hope that Mateer could play against Texas on Oct. 11, but that would a quick recovery.

Venables hasn’t provided a timeline on Mateer’s recovery. But he and the Sooners are being cautious with his return.

“From the very beginning, he’s out there stretching with the guys. He’s going to push the limits on everything when it comes to his rehab and getting back,” Venables said on his coach’s show on Monday night. “At the same time, I told him, you’re not going to defy the odds… You need to let those things heal.”

“He’ll be good. He’ll be one of those guys who broke the record (for fastest return), if you will.”

In the meantime, sophomore Michael Hawkins will take Mateer’s place. Hawkins will start on Saturday against Kent State. Hawkins started four games for the Sooners last season.

“I feel like it’s a great situation to be in right now,” Hawkins said on Monday. “Just to have those guys around me and the support staff, like I said. Being in the fire last year helped me a lot just with my process and knowing the game and being in there and being able to command a huddle. That helped me a lot last year.”

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