NORMAN, Okla. — Oklahoma quarterback John Mateer had what some might consider an early Heisman Trophy moment when he scored the go-ahead touchdown against Auburn on a dramatic 9-yard run late in the Sooners’ 24-17 win last Saturday during the Southeastern Conference opener for both teams.
Unknown at the time, the hand he carried the ball with on that play — the right hand he uses to throw — was injured badly enough in the first quarter to require surgery.
Mateer wrote Thursday on social media that the procedure was successful, and the team expects him to return this season. Though the situation is not ideal for the seventh-ranked Sooners (4-0), they remain confident as backup quarterback Michael Hawkins Jr. steps in.
Hawkins, a sophomore, started four games last season, including a win at Auburn and a solid performance in the Armed Forces Bowl. The Sooners have an open date this week before Hawkins starts against Mid-American Conference member Kent State on Oct. 4. Oklahoma coach Brent Venables said Hawkins will be ready.
“He just has put together a really good body of work over the last several months, and he’s always had a great work ethic and he’s always been really coachable,” Venables said. “He’s hungry, he’s humble and ultratalented.”