{
  "id": 10107085,
  "title": "Oklahoma Coaches Considered Benching John Mateer in Ugly Loss to Georgia",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/27/oklahoma-coaches-considered-benching-john-mateer-in-ugly-loss-to",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-27T01:07:23.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Newsweek",
    "slug": "newsweek",
    "url": "https://www.newsweek.com/sports/ncaa/oklahoma-coaches-considered-benching-john-mateer-in-ugly-loss-to-georgia-12493493"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Oklahoma faced a devastating 41-13 defeat to Georgia on Saturday, drawing 93,033 spectators to Sanford Stadium in Athens, Georgia. The loss may prompt the Sooners to consider benching quarterback John Mateer prior to their October 10 matchup against top-ranked Texas in the Red River Rivalry. Throughout the season, Oklahoma's offense has received criticism, with the team only managing to score 10 points in a loss to Michigan and prevailing over New Mexico with a 14-6 margin in Week 3. Quarterback Mateer was primarily held responsible for these setbacks. In the Georgia game, Mateer completed 25 of 34 passes for 231 yards, two touchdowns, and an interception. However, he also fumbled twice, with one instance resulting in a Georgia touchdown by Bulldogs linebacker Chris Cole. After the match, Oklahoma head coach Brent Venables was questioned about the possibility of benching Mateer. Venables confirmed that the conversation took place, but the decision not to make a change during the game was made by the coaching staff. The coaching team will evaluate various aspects to improve the performance, and the Sooners have alternative quarterbacks, Whitt Newbauer and Bowe Bentley, available on the roster. Mateer's abilities were anticipated to elevate him among the top college quarterbacks this year. He started the 2025 season strongly before suffering a broken thumb against Auburn on September 20, which left him unable to play until the end of the year. Despite finishing with a 62.2% completion rate, throwing for 2,885 yards, scoring 14 touchdowns, and committing 11 interceptions, leading Oklahoma to the College Football Playoff, the team now confronts challenges with their two losses before October. The prospect of Mateer guiding the Sooners back into the CFP appears unlikely at present.",
  "summary": "The Oklahoma Sooners considered benching quarterback John Mateer during their ugly loss to Georgia on Saturday in Week 4.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}