Brent Venables confident in backup Oklahoma QB Michael Hawkins Jr.
Published:
In the SEC you never know when you might be called upon to step up. The reality has hit home for Brent Venables and No. 7 Oklahoma as they move into their bye week with a perfect 4-0 record but an injured starting quarterback.
John Mateer, who had been generating considerable Heisman Trophy buzz thanks to his stellar performances, suffered a broken right hand during Saturday’s 24-10 victory over Auburn.
The Sooners announced earlier this week that he would require surgery to repair the injury. While Mateer is expected to make a return in about a month, the team now must rally around backup quarterback Michael Hawkins Jr.
Venables expressed confidence in Hawkins’ ability to lead the offense during this critical period.
“He’s done a great job just keeping his head down, improving his understanding of the offense and all the fundamentals of being a quarterback,” Venables said at a media availability on Thursday. “Leadership as well. Just has put together a really good body of work over the last several months. He’s always had a great work ethic. He’s always been really coachable. He’s hungry, he’s humble, and he’s ultra talented.”
Last season, Hawkins gained valuable experience playing in 7 games and making 4 starts for the Sooners. He threw for 783 yards and added 204 rushing yards while finishing with four total touchdowns against two interceptions.
As Oklahoma takes a much-needed bye week before facing Kent State in Week 6, they prepare for what lies ahead: A 7-game conference stretch featuring 6 ranked opponents. After the Kent State game, the Sooners face Texas in Dallas, travel to South Carolina, host Ole Miss, and then travel to Tennessee before another break in the schedule arrives. The challenge will be to adapt and adjust without Mateer, but Venables and the Sooners are rallying behind their next QB up.
Lee Ann joins the Saturday Down South team, bringing over fifteen years of experience covering the SEC as both a sports journalist and football scout. With her keen eye for talent, she has also flexes her skills as the Director of Recruiting for the Rebel Walk( Ole Miss) Herring, is a staff writer at USA Today Sports Wildcats Wire, where she dives into the thrilling world of Kentucky football and basketball. When fall rolls around, you can catch her on air as an analyst for the Wake up 502 College Football Show on Big X Sports Radio 96.1 FM—because who doesn't love a good game day chat? A proud Brown University alum, Lee Ann balances her time between the sidelines and press box with her passion for coaching her boys' youth lacrosse and savoring a fine glass of bourbon alongside a good cigar. So, whether she's dissecting plays or rallying the next generation of athletes, Lee Ann is your spirited insider ready to tackle all things SEC!
