While entering the season on the hot seat, Brent Venables’ Oklahoma football team has climbed the rankings to No. 6 in the country in the AP Poll after a 5-0 start. A big reason for this has been the fantastic play of transfer quarterback John Mateer.
However, Mateer recently underwent surgery, which sidelined him for the Sooners’ win over Kent State this past weekend. The injury that needed to be addressed with the procedure was a broken bone in his right hand, which is the arm he throws with.
Initially, it seemed like Mateer’s window to return may have lined up with the game Oklahoma had scheduled against Tennessee in Knoxville. However, according to a report from Pete Thamel of ESPN, Mateer may be back on the field well before then. The signal caller is apparently attempting to get back in action as early as this Saturday when Oklahoma plays Texas.
Sources: Oklahoma QB John Mateer is pushing to return this week for the game against Texas. There’s a belief that his return is possible, as he’s reacted well to surgery. pic.twitter.com/KXOKoIDK9G
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) October 7, 2025
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This season, Mateer has thrown for 1,215 yards, six touchdowns and three interceptions in the first four games of the season, and has been widely considered a Heisman Trophy contender. In his replacement against Kent State, Michael Hawkins Jr. stepped in and performed well.
Hawkins has familiarity with Tennessee, too, replacing Jackson Arnold to end the game that the Vols won in Norman a year ago. He posted 132 yards and one touchdown on 11-of-18 passing in the 25-15 loss. He also had 22 rushing yards on 11 carries.
“We have all the confidence in the world in Michael and are excited for his opportunity to lead our offense while John recovers,” Venables said in the press release. “He had some big moments for us last season as a true freshman and has just gotten better and better. I’m proud of the work Michael’s put in and the progress he’s made, and know he will attack this opportunity to help lead our football team.”
Tennessee and Oklahoma will meet inside Neyland Stadium on Nov. 1. The game is in the ‘flex’ window, meaning it will start some time between 3:30 and 8 p.m. ET. The TV designation is yet to be announced.
