Brent Venables speaks on Michael Hawkins ahead of Red River Rivalry
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The Oklahoma Sooners handled the Kent State Golden Flashes with ease in Week 6, defeating them 44-0.
This dominance came with Heisman Trophy hopeful QB John Mateer (hand) on the sidelines. In his place, backup signal-caller Michael Hawkins went 14-of-24 (58.3%) for 162 yards, 3 touchdowns and no interceptions.
Head coach Brent Venables knows Oklahoma’s College Football Playoff hopes ultimately rest on Mateer’s shoulders. But at this moment, he’s unsure of Mateer’s availability for next week’s Red River Rivalry matchup with Texas. If Mateer misses the game, though, Venables is confident Hawkins can get the job done.
“[Michael Hawkins has] some experience playing in there last year,” Venables said following the Kent State game. “Really, the mindset is no different than what it was going into today. We need to play well in the areas that we are in control [of] — taking care of the ball, making layups when they’re there, not trying to do too much… I feel great about Mike.”
Texas’s defense will provide Hawkins with a much tougher test than Kent State’s did this weekend. The Longhorns’ unit is regarded as one of country’s best defenses, even after Saturday’s loss to Florida.
We’ll see Hawkins is up to the challenge — if he’s needed — when Oklahoma and Texas kickoff at 3:30 p.m. E.T. on Oct. 11 (ABC).
