Norman, Oklahoma.
Mateer suffered an injury to his right hand—his throwing arm—during Auburn's 24-17 win at Oklahoma. He played three quarters with the injury and scored a 9-yard touchdown run while injured.
He had surgery during the bye week at Oklahoma and then went through last week's 44-0 win over Kent State.
Oklahoma coach Brent Venables said Mateer, one of the top quarterbacks in the country before the injury, hasn't practiced against the Sooners' first-string defense since the injury. Michael Hawkins Jr. and Witt Newbauer get practice reps against defensive backs for the sixth-ranked Sooners (5-0, 1-0 SEC).
Venable said he depends on doctors to tell him what to do.
“John is not doing a good job,” Venables said. “So it's Michael and Whitt right now. If anything changes, I'll let you know. But I think if you're going to play, you have to do good for good, right?”
There is still time until Saturday's game and a lot can change. And if Mateer is available, it makes sense to play him. The Washington State transfer passed for 1,215 yards and six touchdowns and rushed for 190 yards and five scores in four games.
“We're planning for Mateer,” Texas coach Steve Sarkisian said. “You must. He's a dynamic player. He is surely the heartbeat of this crime. Everything goes through him.”
If it's not a junior, Hawkins will start. Hawkins started last year in a loss at Texas and struggled in a 34-3 Romp.
Sarkisian said Hawkins is no longer the true freshman who was stunned in the Cotton Bowl last year. Hawkins threw three touchdown passes and ran for Kent State's score. Texas (3-2, 0-1) expects a more mature version this time if it plays.
“He's a very improved player,” Sarkisian said. “Like most young players, they get better with time. You can see his improvement for sure.”
Sarkisian's biggest concern is Oklahoma offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle. He brought life to the offense in his first year since leaving the same position at Washington State.
“Coach Arbuckle has a great scheme,” Sarkisian said. “We must prepare for this scheme. He's a fantastic coach. They tax you in many different ways. Change of pace, formation, tricks, plays, defenders, shock plays. So we have to prepare for the offense as much as we have to prepare for the defense.”
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