Entering Week 14, the Sooners needed only beat LSU to punch their ticket to the College Football Playoff. Given the Tigers’ struggles this season, Oklahoma was a healthy favorite.
And yet, late in the third quarter, OU found itself trailing. Shaky play from quarterback John Mateer was a huge reason why.
Mateer was picked off on his second pass attempt of the game. He responded to hit 4 straight and 8 of his next 11 after that giveaway. But, in the third quarter, Mateer threw 2 more picks in the span of 5 pass attempts.
The second interception led to LSU’s only touchdown of the day and gave the Tigers a 10-3 lead. The third ended a 47-yard drive that was knocking on the door of the red zone. And the Sooners followed up that giveaway with a quick 3-and-out that led to some angst from the home crowd in Norman.
Mateer would come back on OU’s next possession to hit Deion Burks, who took a tunnel screen 45 yards for a game-tying touchdown.
Through the first 3 quarters of the game, OU had a 298-118 edge in total offense. LSU had just 35 yards through the air at the end of the third. But the Tigers entered the fourth very much live to upset the eighth-ranked Sooners.
Fans sounded off on social media over the game and the performance from Mateer. Some of that is below.
Derek Peterson does a bit of everything, not unlike Taysom Hill. He has covered Oklahoma, Nebraska, the Pac-12, and now delivers CFB-wide content.
