Almost every time someone writes or says something about the Oklahoma Sooners’ improvement this season compared to last, new quarterback John Mateer is mentioned. Now, the Sooners will have to continue their rise without Mateer.
Mateer broke a bone in his throwing hand in the first quarter against Auburn on Sept. 20 and had surgery last week during OU’s bye week. Mateer will for sure be sidelined for the Sooners’ next game against Kent State on Saturday, but beyond that is still uncertain, but there’s hope and maybe even a chance he’s ready for the Red River Rivalry next week.
Sophomore Michael Hawkins Jr., who started four games last season, will fill in as QB1 while Mateer is out. Although there’s no worry about Kent State no matter who’s behind center, there are still players on the offensive side who need to step up immediately to make the transition with Hawkins in charge as smooth as possible, no matter how long that might be.
The Sooners have struggled to run the football this season and a strong ground game is the obvious asset to take pressure off a young quarterback. Freshman Tory Blaylock has taken over as RB1 for the Sooners, and although it’d be easy to say he should be the one needed to step up, Jovantae Barnes is an undervalued asset to OU’s offense, especially in the passing game.
Fans have screamed for Barnes to get less snaps with so much young talent behind him, but Barnes’ contributions go unnoticed as the best pass blocker of the backs and as a senior leader with both of the Sooners’ offensive captains now injured.
Barnes needs to do more as a ball carrier to take a load off Hawkins, but even if he doesn’t, his presence will be needed as a leader and in the passing game.
The Sooners struggled to make big plays last season, whether it was Hawkins or Jackson Arnold at quarterback. However, Deion Burks, a speedy receiver who can get yardage quick, was injured most of the year.
Now healthy, Burks will have to use his ability to turn short passes into big gains so the Sooners don’t find themselves in the same funk as last season. The same could be said about tight end Jaren Kanak, who could also emerge as a safety blanket for Hawkins.
A veteran newcomer like Mateer, center Jake Maikkula will need to step up in a similar way Barnes does as a leader. However, with the ball in his hands every play at the center of the offense, Maikkula’s voice and direction will be needed even more, especially since he’ll be on the field more than Barnes.
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