Oklahoma’s trip to Athens turned into a rough night fast, and the numbers from Pro Football Focus tell the same story as the 41-13 loss to No. 2 Georgia. The Sooners were buried early, then watched things unravel further as John Mateer piled up three straight turnovers, including the giveaway that became an 85-yard scoop and score for the Bulldogs.
Mateer finished with a 44.8 grade across 72 snaps, the second-lowest mark he’s posted since arriving in Norman. The only worse outing came in last season’s loss to Texas in the Cotton Bowl, when he was tagged with a 29.5.
By the time that score hit the board, Oklahoma’s chances of spoiling Georgia’s night were basically gone.
The Sooners’ ground game never showed up. Lloyd Avant logged 35 snaps and earned a 61.4 grade, Tory Blaylock posted a 61.7 on 12 snaps, and Jonathan Hatton checked in at 57.9 over 13 snaps.
Together, those three handled 60 of Oklahoma’s 72 total snaps on offense, while Xavier Robinson played just three snaps and graded out at 64.7. None of the backs managed to make much of a dent.
The problems up front didn’t help. Oklahoma has shuffled pieces along the interior offensive line, with Eddy Pierre-Louis starting in place of Noah Best.
Pierre-Louis finished with a 63.4 grade on 64 snaps, while Best was at 44.6 on 16 snaps. The whole unit, though, has simply not been good enough.
Rocky Beers was the top-graded Oklahoma offensive player, landing at 76.2 on 53 snaps.
On the other side of the ball, Kip Lewis stood out in a big way after missing one game. He returned and posted a team-best 80.6 grade on 46 snaps, looking every bit like the linebacker Oklahoma expects him to be. He also got a hand on a Gunner Stockton pass that Omarion Robinson picked off.
David Stone also fought through injury to get on the field. After being hurt on Monday and listed as a game-time decision, he played 29 snaps and graded at 61.7.
Linebacker Owen Heinecke left the game with a lower body injury after 17 snaps and received a 60.4 grade.
In Other News...
Oklahoma Suddenly Has A QB Problem Brent Venables Can't Ignore
Oklahomas trip to No. 2 Georgia turned into a blunt reminder that the Sooners have bigger offensive issues than one bad afternoon. Dillon Mateers costly mistakes were a major part of the 41-13 loss, and they came at a time when the rest of the offense was not built to help cover them up. The running game still has not taken a meaningful step forward from last season, which has left the passing attack carrying too much of the load.
Brent Venables has already acknowledged that a quarterback change is something the staff is weighing, but there is no decision yet. With No. 1 Texas up next, the timing only sharpens the pressure on Oklahoma to find some stability before the rivalry game arrives. For a team trying to keep its season from slipping, the question under center is suddenly unavoidable. [Read more 🡒]
Sooners First Half Meltdown Has Fans Fuming Over One Costly Trend
Oklahomas first half against Georgia quickly turned into a frustration-filled stretch, with John Mateer putting the ball on the ground and giving the Bulldogs extra chances to pull away. Georgia capitalized in a big way, turning one takeaway into an 85-yard fumble return by Chris Cole and later adding a 35-yard touchdown pass from Gunnar Stockton to Talyn Taylor as the Sooners struggled to steady themselves on either side of the ball.
There was at least one notable pregame development for Oklahoma, with junior defensive lineman David Stone taking the field after being listed as a gametime decision. Even so, the Sooners were left trying to dig out of a hole created by turnovers and a first-half surge from Georgia, a familiar kind of problem that had fans voicing their anger as the game got away from them. [Read more 🡒]
Oklahoma Heads Into Red River With One Alarming Problem
Oklahoma left Sanford Stadium with a result that felt bigger than just a tough night against No. 2 Georgia. The Sooners were overwhelmed 41-13, and the familiar issues from earlier in the season showed up again, with John Mateers early turnovers putting the offense in a hole before he settled in enough to complete more than 65% of his passes and find Rocky Beers for a touchdown.
The problem for Oklahoma is that the encouraging flashes did not offset the bigger picture. The running game never gave the offense much balance, and the defense could not fully cover for the mistakes on the other side of the ball. With a bye week now ahead, the Sooners have a little time to sort it out before facing No. 1 Texas in their next game, and that makes the margin for error feel even smaller. [Read more 🡒]