John Mateer’s season hit a snag 2 weeks ago against Auburn when he injured his throwing hand and required surgery. That’s why missing the Kent State game was a given, but Oklahoma fans were anxiously watching the calendar, wondering if he’d be ready for the Red River Rivalry showdown against Texas. And why not? Before the setback, Mateer was lighting up the field and making a serious case for the Heisman Trophy. In 4 games, the Washington State transfer had rushed for a TD in every start while throwing for 1,215 yards. But now, with questions swirling, Brent Venables finally put fans at ease with a definitive update on his QB.

With the October 12 showdown looming, Brent Venables offered a subtle hint about Mateer’s status. After John Mateer went down with an injury, sophomore Michael Hawkins Jr. stepped up against Kent State and didn’t miss a beat, leading the Sooners to a dominant 44-0 victory. And that’s why, when pressed in the postgame press conference about whether Hawkins would have to start if Mateer couldn’t play, Venables was candid. “I’m assuming he (Mateer) can’t,” said the Sooners HC. Even so, Venables made it clear that the Sooners aren’t worried. He expressed strong confidence in Hawkins, signaling that Oklahoma can lean on the sophomore if needed.

And why not? Michael Hawkins isn’t new to pressure moments. Last season, he took the field against the Longhorns after Oklahoma benched Jackson Arnold. And now, keeping that moment in mind, Venables emphasized his confidence in the sophomore. “He had some experience playing there last year. The mindset is no different from what it was going into today. We need to play well in the areas we control: take care of the ball, make the easy plays, and not overcomplicate things…. I feel great about Mike.” So, according to Venables, with that kind of prep, Hawkins looks ready to step up. Here’s the reason clearly visible.

In the game against Kent State, Michael Hawkins commanded the field. He threw for 162 yards, connecting on 14 of 24 passes. But that’s not all; he also racked up 3 TDs and added 33 rushing yards. More importantly, this outing marked Hawkins’ 5th career start. Last season, as a freshman, he started four games, and even though he’s spent most of the time as a backup, his potential could earn him a second opportunity to start against Texas this season. However, nothing is set in stone yet.

Just days after John Mateer’s surgery, reports hinted at an “outside chance” he could suit up against Texas, sparking hope across Sooner Nation. Then a viral message board post added fuel to the fire, claiming Mateer would play and sending fans’ excitement into overdrive. Even last Saturday, Mateer was suited up for the Sooners’ win over Kent State, but he skipped pregame warmups, leaving questions about when he’ll actually return to the field. Now, while the countdown to Mateer’s comeback continues, Brent Venables provided an update on another injury.

Sooners HC provides injury update, but it’s not about John Mateer

The Sooners faced a tense moment against Kent State. But why? WR Keontez Lewis collided headfirst with the brick wall at the end zone and had to be taken off on a cart. However, Brent Venables gave a reassuring update after the game. “The initial scans came back good. That was scary for him,” stated Venables. “He was alert, he was in pain in his back, you’re dang right, I was very concerned. When I got over there, he was coherent. I was thankful because it seemed and appeared all things considered, he was okay.” Then Venables also addressed the dangerous proximity of the unpadded wall.

“We are evaluating all options when it comes to the safety of our players,” he said. That’s why the Sooners are reviewing safety measures, recognizing that the wall near the end zone is too close for comfort and needs proper padding. But Lewis has already faced challenges this season, sitting out after a helmet-to-helmet collision with Temple.

Although he made an immediate impact early on, scoring two TDs against Illinois State, he remains a crucial piece of the Sooners’ offense. Now, the Sooners’ coaches have to prioritize his recovery, as any missed games would be bad.