Oklahoma quarterback John Mateer could not lead the No. 8 Sooners to a first-round win in the College Football Playoff. Despite Mateer going 26-of-41 for 307 yards, resulting in two touchdowns and one interception, the Sooners fell 34-24 to the No. 9 Alabama Crimson Tide on Friday evening.
Mateer has had a breakout season in Norman after transferring from the Washington State Cougars last year, and he has the option of returning to college football next season or declaring for the 2026 NFL Draft.
John Mateer Addresses Future After CFP Mistake
During his postgame news conference, Mateer, who has been dealing with a fractured finger injury, addressed the issue of his future. “I haven’t really thought about it yet,” Mateer said. “I’m pretty sure I’ll take some time and weigh all the options and we’ll see. I haven’t really taken a step back. I’m sure I will in the next couple of weeks, really see how we did. We did a lot of things people didn’t expect. And it’s just because of the group of guys we had.”
“I love these guys. And we all hate that it’s over. And that’s all I’m really thinking about right now. I wish we could just have one more day together. It’s all God’s grace and I’m grateful for where I’m at and how it all went, even though it didn’t go how we wanted it to, and it ended up short.”
After starting the game against Alabama by notching a 17-0 lead, Mateer’s pick-six in the second quarter allowed the Crimson Tide to draw level and go on to become the first team to win on the road in the College Football Playoff. Mateer further owned up to the mistake that drew Alabama level. “It was a bad check, and I got tricked,” Mateer said. “And it’s pretty bad. (If) you watch the tape, it was obvious. It wasn’t a cover zero, and I got tricked.”
In his first season in Oklahoma, Mateer threw for 2,885 yards on 62.1% completion, resulting in 14 touchdowns and 11 interceptions, while adding 431 rushing yards, resulting in eight touchdowns.
Brent Venables Praises Mateer Despite Mistake
During his postgame news conference, Oklahoma coach Brent Venables celebrated Mateer’s competitive spirit this season despite his injury and costly mistake against the Crimson Tide.
“He’s a warrior,” Venables said. “He’s got everything you want in a competition and a leader and a quarterback… He was determined (to play after the injury). I think you saw glimpses of how special he can be all season long.”
After the Sooners finished last season with a 6-7 record, Mateer has helped to lead Oklahoma back to SEC relevancy alongside a College Football Playoff berth and an improved 10-3 record this season.
