Oklahoma QB John Mateer Returns as Starter

Introduction to the Red River Rivalry

DALLAS (AP) — Oklahoma quarterback John Mateer started for the sixth-ranked Sooners in their Red River rivalry game against Texas on Saturday, returning to the lineup 17 days after surgery on his throwing hand.

The Injury and Recovery

Mateer injured his right hand in Oklahoma’s home win over Auburn on Sept. 20. He had surgery four days after that during a bye week, then didn’t play in the home win over Kent State last Saturday.

Team Updates and Player Conditions

Keontez Lewis also was back for the Sooners, just a week after a scary incident when the receiver’s momentum sent him headfirst into a brick wall behind the end zone in Norman. He was briefly motionless and attended to for about 10 minutes before being carted off the field. He got hurt when going after an overthrown pass by backup quarterback Michael Hawkins Jr.

Performance and Statistics

Washington State transfer Mateer played three quarters against Auburn with his hand injury, and he scored the go-ahead touchdown on a 9-yard run in the fourth quarter while hurt. In his first four games with the Sooners, Mateer completed 95 of 141 passes (67.4%) for 1,215 yards and six touchdowns, and rushed for 190 yards and five more scores.

Backup Quarterback Performance

Hawkins threw three touchdown passes and ran for a score over three quarters in Oklahoma’s 44-0 win over Kent State. Hawkins last year became the first true freshman Oklahoma quarterback to start against Texas, in a 34-3 loss for the Sooners.

Conclusion

The return of John Mateer as the starter for Oklahoma, just three weeks after his hand injury, marks a significant development in the team’s strategy and performance. With his impressive statistics and the team’s updates, including the return of Keontez Lewis, the Sooners are poised for a strong season.

FAQs

• Q: How long after his surgery did John Mateer return to the lineup?
  A: John Mateer returned to the lineup 17 days after his surgery.
• Q: Who was the backup quarterback who played in Mateer’s absence?
  A: Michael Hawkins Jr. was the backup quarterback who played in Mateer’s absence.
• Q: What was the outcome of the game where Keontez Lewis got hurt?
  A: The outcome of the game is not specified in the provided information, but it is mentioned that Lewis got hurt when going after an overthrown pass by Michael Hawkins Jr.
• Q: Where can one get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25?
  A: One can sign up for poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season here and on the AP News mobile app, and visit https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-football for more information.