Joel Klatt cautions Oklahoma against overusing John Mateer
By Rolando Rosa
Published:
No. 13 Oklahoma is off to a 2-0 start but FOX Sports’ Joel Klatt is worried about potential over-usage of quarterback John Mateer. During The Joel Klatt Show, he warns the Sooners to not rely too much on the 6-foot-1 junior because of their demanding SEC slate.
“The hard part is that if you’re trying to go through that schedule and Mateer’s getting 40 or 50 touches right like 19 in the run game and another 30 throwing the football he’s going to be exposed too much,” Klatt said. “Their schedule still includes Auburn. It still includes Red River with Texas. It still includes South Carolina. It still includes Ole Miss. It’s going to be tough.”
Klatt adds that Oklahoma’s running backs will also need to lighten the offensive load on Mateer. Mateer has passed for 662 yards with 4 touchdowns and 2 interceptions while rushing for 98 yards and 3 scores this season.
“What are you going to do by the way, not even to mention Tennessee, Alabama, Missouri, LSU,” Klatt said. “They’re going to have to run the football with their backs a lot better because Mateer can’t put on a cape in every 1 of those games.”
Mateer and Oklahoma will go for a 3-0 record when they face host Temple on Saturday (12 p.m. ET/ESPN2).
