Shane Beamer isn’t getting lulled to sleep by the sometimes struggles and inconsistencies of Oklahoma quarterback John Mateer.
With South Carolina heading to Norman to face Mateer and the Sooners on Saturday (4:15 p.m. ET, SEC Network), the Gamecocks head coach spoke on Thursday during an appearance on the Dari Nowkhah Show about the challenges of facing the senior signal-caller.
Mateer’s season QBR of 60.7 ranks just 54th in college football, and his 11-to-7 touchdown-to-interception ratio leaves a lot to be desired.
But Mateer played well in last week’s road victory over Mississippi State, throwing for 283 yards with 2 touchdowns and, maybe most importantly, 0 interceptions. He also ran 9 times for 37 yards, so Mateer has hung in there amid an up-and-down season for himself and the 4-3 Sooners, and Beamer knows his 4-3 Gamecocks will be challenged by Mateer on his home field this Saturday.
“Understanding what an athlete, good football player he is. You know, I thought they had their best game last week against Mississippi State. … (Mateer) just seemed a lot more confident and comfortable back there. You know, he’s a veteran player that really played well last week,” Shane Beamer said.
“They got their run game going. He made throws in the passing game. He’s got weapons in the passing game. And he can make all the throws. … So, you know what a talent he is. This guy, Mateer, who I really admire, he can create when plays break down, and you’ve got to stay disciplined throughout the entire down.”
With Beamer having to account for Mateer on Saturday and all that he brings to the table, here is what the Kalshi market is currently saying about the South Carolina-Oklahoma matchup in Norman:
Cory Nightingale, a former sportswriter and sports editor at the Miami Herald and Palm Beach Post, is a South Florida-based freelance writer who covers Alabama for SaturdayDownSouth.com.
