OU football QB John Mateer used Sooners' bye week to 'reset' and silence doubters

NORMAN — The bye week was a breath of fresh air for John Mateer.

Oklahoma’s quarterback has endured constant criticism after a disappointing start to the season and used the time off last week to recenter, assess what has gone wrong through four weeks and spend time with his teammates, who have reinforced their belief in their leader.

"I had a good break personally,” Mateer said after practice Monday. “We had great practices, hung out with some of the guys. Went out to dinner. It was a reset because (during the season), you don't really get time to — you do, but not as much as the offseason.”

Mateer knows what’s at stake this week.

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A year after he put his all into returning for this game — the Red River Rivalry against Texas — 17 days post-surgery, Mateer finds himself up against it again. His confidence was clearly shot after turning the ball over on three consecutive drives in a blowout road loss to Georgia in which his coaches pondered benching him.

He knows he must improve and take care of the ball to give the Sooners any shot against the No. 1-ranked Longhorns on Saturday at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas. Mateer’s turnovers have been catastrophic for OU after his interception against Michigan all but sealed a Wolverines win and his two fumbles against Georgia resulted in two Bulldogs touchdowns.

Last season’s Texas game when he threw three interceptions is one he still thinks about. Not so much because of what it took to play but about how he played and how he wears that loss.

“We're ready to go,” Mateer said. “Everybody, you get to sit back and look at where we're at, and we're ready to go. I'm more excited. It's the game, it is what everybody says it is. It's awesome and I'm honored to play in it, in a rivalry and for this team and for these guys.

“Last year, it was what it was. It's taught me a lot but I'm standing here and ready to play this week."

Here’s #Sooners QB John Mateer on the bye week, Red River Rivalry and where his confidence is at. pic.twitter.com/HVgZIOu7o2

— Colton Sulley (@colton_sulley) October 6, 2026

Mateer has stayed off social media so he hasn’t heard the constant negativity surrounding his play. But he undeniably feels it.

He has a good support system around him that has helped him through this over the last several weeks. OU certainly has devoted all of its resources to help every player but especially Mateer as he endures this rut.

There have been thoughts that his play might fracture the team or divide one unit against another. That hasn’t been the case at all as the Sooners’ leaders have rallied around Mateer.

“The fact that I haven’t performed is disappointing, but I’m blessed to play ball today and to get better,” Mateer said. “It’s a kids game that we all take really seriously, and I’m honored to stand here and be this person in this position. But you come out to practice today knowing that it’s everything I’ve ever dreamed of.

"So even when you struggle and you get judged, it’s because I’ve done good in the past to put me (where) something is expected from me — from me and from other people. It’s the position I’m in, but I’m learning.”

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Mateer said this offseason how much it meant to him when general manager Jim Nagy and coach Brent Venables reaffirmed their commitment to him after an up-and-down 2025 season. Venables did it once again last week, announcing Mateer is still OU’s starter.

Whether or not anyone else does, it’s clear the Sooners still believe Mateer gives them the best chance to win. That could change Saturday.

Following the bye week, Mateer is ready to attack this week of practice and focus on improving as much as he can before Saturday. For someone who needs all the help he can get with getting his confidence back to where it needs to be, the support he’s gotten around him means the world.

He has a chance to silence all of the doubters Saturday.

“It helps, it really does,” Mateer said. “The tight ends came over Sunday after the game and watched some football. I appreciate that. And the receivers, we’re talking ball and just hanging out and they say it. (Defensive ends coach Miguel Chavis), he’s been great, and (offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle), (quarterbacks coach John Kuceyeski) and Coach Venables.

" ... He tells me straight up, like, he has my back and he’s proud of the work and the toughness, and I appreciate that more than he knows, more than I can say."

Colton Sulley covers the Oklahoma Sooners for The Oklahoman. Have a story idea for Colton? He can be reached at csulley@oklahoman.com or on X/Twitter at @colton_sulley. Support Colton's work and that of other Oklahoman journalists by purchasing adigital subscription today at subscribe.oklahoman.com.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: OU football QB John Mateer used Sooners' bye week to 'reset' and silence doubters