Ad Disclosure
Jackson Arnold has been benched by Oklahoma after a turnover-filled first half against Tennessee.
Arnold fumbled twice and threw an interception in the first half against the Vols.
Both fumbles were critical mistakes. In each case, Arnold fumbled the ball away on the first play of a drive following a takeaway by the Oklahoma defense. In one instance, a fumble came inside the 5-yard line with the Sooners on the doorstep of the end zone.
Oklahoma decided to make a change at the QB position after Arnold’s second fumble. Oklahoma turned to true freshman Michael Hawkins with Arnold out of the game. Hawkins was a 4-star prospect in the class of 2024 out of Allen, Texas.
In his first series on the field before the end of the first half, Hawkins rushed for 10 yards on 2 carries. He also took a sack after a bad snap. He did not attempt a pass in the series.
The Sooners also have college football journeyman Casey Thompson as an option on the bench. Thompson transferred to Oklahoma this past offseason after previously playing for Texas, Nebraska and Florida Atlantic in his collegiate career.
It’s been a disappointing start to the season for Arnold. He struggled to push the ball downfield in each of Oklahoma’s first 3 games to start the season as well. A former 5-star prospect, OU decided to hand him the keys to the offense this offseason.
Spenser is a news editor for Saturday Down South and covers college football across all Saturday Football brands.
