Oklahoma QB John Mateer back as starter vs. Texas only 3 weeks after hand injury

By Canadian Press on October 11, 2025.

DALLAS (AP) — Oklahoma quarterback John Mateer started for the sixth-ranked Sooners in their Red River rivalry game against Texas on Saturday, returning to the lineup 17 days after surgery on his throwing hand.

Mateer injured his right hand in Oklahoma’s home win over Auburn on Sept. 20. He had surgery four days after that during a bye week, then didn’t play in their home win over Kent State last Saturday.

The Washington State transfer played three quarters against Auburn with the injury, and scored the go-ahead touchdown on a 9-yard run in the fourth quarter while hurt. In his first four games with the Sooners, Mateer completed 95 of 141 passes (67.4%) for 1,215 yards and six touchdowns, and rushed for 190 yards and five more scores.

Michael Hawkins Jr. threw three touchdown passes and ran for a score over three quarters in Oklahoma’s 44-0 win over Kent State. Hawkins last year became the first true freshman Oklahoma quarterback to start against Texas, in what was a 34-3 loss for the Sooners.

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The Associated Press