With the 2025 Red River game between No. 6 Oklahoma and Texas just four days away, the Sooners are hoping for good news that would provide a big boost to their offense.
Oklahoma QB John Mateer, who had surgery just two weeks ago for a right hand injury, is pushing to return for Saturday’s game against Texas, ESPN’s Pete Thamel reported Tuesday morning.
Thamel said there’s belief that Mateer’s return this week is possible, as he’s reacted well to the surgery.
Mateer suffered the injury in Oklahoma’s 24-17 win over No. 22 Auburn on Sept. 20. He reportedly suffered the hand injury in the first quarter, though he remained in the game and posted 300 total yards and two touchdowns in the win.
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The belief at the time was that Mateer would miss some time — possibly a month — but would return to action at some point this season.
A return Saturday against Texas would put him ahead of schedule.
Mateer, after transferring from Washington State, had quickly established himself as a Heisman favorite four games into his Oklahoma career. While leading the Sooners to a 4-0 record, Mateer had completed 67.4% of his passes for 1,215 passing yards and six touchdowns in the early going, adding another 190 yards and five touchdowns on the ground.
The Sooners have only played one game since Mateer’s injury. Sophomore Mike Hawkins Jr., a D-FW product, led the Sooners to a 44-0 win over Kent State last week and threw for 162 yards and three touchdowns while rushing for 33 yards and an additional score.
If the Sooners can return Mateer this week, they’ll have him for the toughest stretch of their schedule where they are slated to face five top-15 teams in a row.
With a win Saturday, the Sooners could effectively knock the Longhorns out of SEC and College Football Playoff contention.
Oklahoma head coach Brent Venables will speak to reporters Tuesday morning and is expected to provide a further update on Mateer.
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