Temple head coach K.C. Keeler has put a target on Oklahoma quarterback John Mateer.
Ahead of Temple hosting the No. 13 Sooners at 11 a.m. CT Saturday, Keeler during his weekly press conference elaborated on how the Owls plan to handle Mateer's dual-threat ability that has escalated him into a Heisman Trophy favorite.
K.C. Keeler targets John Mateer ahead of Oklahoma vs. Temple
Keeler praised Mateer, saying "I love his style" as a dual-threat weapon, but then he made it clear that Temple's defense will be going after Mateer every time he has the ball in his hands.
“It’s going to be important for us to get as many hits on him as possible," Keeler said. "It’s a cumulative thing. He took 19 rushing hits. Also a couple of hits in the pocket on top of that. Those kinds of things add up. I'm sure our QB would be sore if he took that many hits.
"When he pulls the ball down and becomes a running back, he has to pay the price.”
Temple Coach KC Keeler on defending against Oklahoma dual-threat QB John Mateer: “It’s going to be important for us to get as many hits on him as possible. It’s a cumulative thing … When he pulls the ball down and becomes a running back, he has to pay the price.” pic.twitter.com/Sy4goZ0mTe
— OwlsDaily.com (@TempleOwlsDaily) September 8, 2025
Mateer led the Sooners in rushing last week in their 24-13 win over then-No. 15 Michigan. He had 19 carries for 74 yards and got into the end zone twice. He tallied 344 total yards while also throwing for 270 yards and another touchdown. Mateer is second in college football with 380 total yards a game through two weeks.
OU offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle relied heavily on Mateer against Michigan to get the Sooners' run game going, especially in short-yardage situations. However, the week before against Illinois State, Mateer had just seven carries for 24 yards.
Mateer's legs were necessary to overcome a defense like Michigan's, especially while the Sooners are still trying to establish a run game early in the season. That shouldn't be needed this week, though, so Mateer's number of carries against Temple should be closer to Illinois State instead of Michigan.
The Sooners can use a matchup against Temple to jolt their running backs before SEC play starts the next week against Auburn. Keeler is correct in saying that many hits can take a toll against a quarterback, but that shouldn't be a concern for Mateer against Temple.
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