Venables said Whitt Newbauer and Bowe Bentley took a lot of reps in practice Wednesday, and reporters asked whether either backup would play against Texas in the Cotton Bowl.
Venables did say that Mateer and Newbauer have been splitting a majority of the “good” reps with Bentley getting about 20% of those in practice.
Mateer’s play this season, particularly the three turnovers against the Georgia Bulldogs, led Oklahoma’s decision-makers to consider a change at quarterback. But they opted to roll with Mateer in the second half of their loss in Athens.
While Mateer has struggled, he’s completed more than 75% of his passes over the last couple of games. He’s currently ninth in the SEC in passing yards and tied for fourth in passing touchdowns, alongside Ole Miss‘ Trinidad Chambless, Alabama‘s Keelon Russell, and Kentucky‘s Kenny Minchey.
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Mateer gets his shot at turning the Oklahoma offense around against a Texas defense allowing just 13.3 points per game in 2026.
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Oklahoma HC Brent Venables discusses Sooners quarterback situation
Sep 26, 2026; Athens, Georgia, USA; Oklahoma Sooners quarterback John Mateer (10) warms up before a game against the Georgia Bulldogs at Sanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images
(Dale Zanine, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
1 / 20
Oklahoma HC Brent Venables discusses Sooners quarterback situation
Sep 26, 2026; Athens, Georgia, USA; Oklahoma Sooners quarterback John Mateer (10) warms up before a game against the Georgia Bulldogs at Sanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images
(Dale Zanine, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
2 / 20
Oklahoma Sooners suffer big drop in USA TODAY Sports 1-138 rankings
Sep 26, 2026; Athens, Georgia, USA; Oklahoma Sooners quarterback John Mateer (10) looks to throw a pass against the Georgia Bulldogs during the first half at Sanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images
(Dale Zanine, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
3 / 20
Best photos from Oklahoma Sooners 41-13 loss to Georgia
Sep 26, 2026; Athens, Georgia, USA; Georgia Bulldogs head coach Kirby Smart walks on the field after a game against the Oklahoma Sooners at Sanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images
(Dale Zanine, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
4 / 20
Best photos from Oklahoma Sooners 41-13 loss to Georgia
Sep 26, 2026; Athens, Georgia, USA; Oklahoma Sooners tight end Rocky Beers (81) catches a seventeen-yard pass for a touchdown against Georgia Bulldogs safety Rasean Dinkins (14) during the third quarter at Sanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images
(Dale Zanine, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
5 / 20
Best photos from Oklahoma Sooners 41-13 loss to Georgia
Sep 26, 2026; Athens, Georgia, USA; A Oklahoma Sooners cheerleader reacts to game play against the Georgia Bulldogs during the first half at Sanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images
(Dale Zanine, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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Best photos from Oklahoma Sooners 41-13 loss to Georgia
Sep 26, 2026; Athens, Georgia, USA; Oklahoma Sooners wide receiver Isaiah Sategna III (1) runs after a catch against Georgia Bulldogs safety Khalil Barnes (7) and linebacker Chris Cole (9) during the first half at Sanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images
(Dale Zanine, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
7 / 20
ESPN’s game-by-game predictions for Oklahoma after Georgia loss
Sep 26, 2026; Athens, Georgia, USA; Oklahoma Sooners quarterback John Mateer (10) throws a pass against Georgia Bulldogs safety Rasean Dinkins (14) during the first half at Sanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images
(Dale Zanine, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
8 / 20
Social media reacts to the Oklahoma Sooners 41-13 loss to Georgia
Sep 26, 2026; Athens, Georgia, USA; Georgia Bulldogs linebacker Chris Cole (9) runs against Oklahoma Sooners tight end Hayden Hansen (89) after recovering a fumble by quarterback John Mateer (10) during the first half at Sanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images
(Dale Zanine, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
9 / 20
Best photos from Oklahoma Sooners 41-13 loss to Georgia
Sep 26, 2026; Athens, Georgia, USA; Georgia Bulldogs linebacker Raylen Wilson (5) sacks Oklahoma Sooners quarterback John Mateer (10) which results in a fumble during the first half at Sanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images
(Dale Zanine, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
10 / 20
College Football analyst compares Oklahoma to Arkansas
Sep 26, 2026; Athens, Georgia, USA; Georgia Bulldogs linebacker Raylen Wilson (5) sacks Oklahoma Sooners quarterback John Mateer (10) during the first half at Sanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images
(Dale Zanine, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
11 / 20
Best photos from Oklahoma Sooners 41-13 loss to Georgia
Sep 26, 2026; Athens, Georgia, USA; Oklahoma Sooners tight end Rocky Beers (81) leaps while running after a catch against Georgia Bulldogs safety Rasean Dinkins (14) and defensive back Kyron Jones (31) during the first half at Sanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images
(Dale Zanine, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
12 / 20
Best photos from Oklahoma Sooners 41-13 loss to Georgia
Sep 26, 2026; Athens, Georgia, USA; Georgia Bulldogs live mascot Uga XI stands on the field before a game against the Oklahoma Sooners at Sanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images
(Dale Zanine, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
13 / 20
Best photos from Oklahoma Sooners 41-13 loss to Georgia
Sep 26, 2026; Athens, Georgia, USA; Georgia Bulldogs running back Dwight Phillips Jr. (20) runs the ball against Oklahoma Sooners defensive back Omarion Robinson (2) and defensive back Eli Bowen (23) during the first half at Sanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images
(Dale Zanine, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
14 / 20
Best photos from Oklahoma Sooners 41-13 loss to Georgia
Sep 26, 2026; Athens, Georgia, USA; Georgia Bulldogs quarterback Gunner Stockton (14) calls the snap count at the line of scrimmage against the Oklahoma Sooners defense during the first half at Sanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images
(Dale Zanine, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
15 / 20
Best photos from Oklahoma Sooners 41-13 loss to Georgia
Sep 26, 2026; Athens, Georgia, USA; Georgia Bulldogs quarterback Gunner Stockton (14) throws a pass against Oklahoma Sooners linebacker Kip Lewis (10) during the first half at Sanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images
(Dale Zanine, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
16 / 20
Best photos from Oklahoma Sooners 41-13 loss to Georgia
Sep 26, 2026; Athens, Georgia, USA; Georgia Bulldogs cheerleaders perform during the second half of a game against the Oklahoma Sooners at Sanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images
(Dale Zanine, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
17 / 20
Best photos from Oklahoma Sooners 41-13 loss to Georgia
Sep 26, 2026; Athens, Georgia, USA; Georgia Bulldogs cheerleaders look on before a game against the Oklahoma Sooners at Sanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images
(Dale Zanine, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
18 / 20
ESPN’s Matt Barrie believes Oklahoma is ‘done’ after rough start
Sep 26, 2026; Athens, Georgia, USA; Oklahoma Sooners head coach Brent Venables walks to the field before a game against the Georgia Bulldogs at Sanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images
(Dale Zanine, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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Best photos from Oklahoma Sooners 41-13 loss to Georgia
Sep 26, 2026; Athens, Georgia, USA; Fans in the Georgia Bulldogs student section cheer for their team against the Oklahoma Sooners during the first half at Sanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images
(Dale Zanine, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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Best photos from Oklahoma Sooners 41-13 loss to Georgia
Sep 26, 2026; Athens, Georgia, USA; Georgia Bulldogs cheerleaders perform during the second half of a game against the Oklahoma Sooners at Sanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images
(Dale Zanine, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Contact/Follow us @SoonersWire on X (formerly known as Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oklahoma news, notes, and opinions.You can also follow John on X @john9williams.
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