John Mateer embraces the stakes OU (9-2, 5-2 SEC) faces in its final regular season game against Louisiana State University (7-4, 3-4).
The redshirt junior quarterback and the rest of the Sooners are No. 8 in College Football Playoff rankings with a chance to host a first-round game in Norman, and LSU will be their final test as they look to clinch their spot.
"It's a blessing to have the opportunity to do something like this," Mateer said. "This is something I've dreamed of my whole life."
However, the Mateer-led offense continued to struggle with pass production in its 17-6 win over Missouri (7-4, 3-4). Mateer finished with only 173 passing yards and two touchdowns with a 47% completion rate, his lowest of the season, and the Sooners started with a scoreless first quarter. His performance against the Tigers contributed to his average of 174 passing yards since returning from a hand injury he suffered against Auburn on Sept. 20. He recorded 304 per game before the injury and returned to action 17 days after surgery in a 23-6 loss to Texas on Oct. 11.
Mateer attributed the recent air struggles to him not attempting many deep throws and said he was more ambitious against Missouri.
"It's a lot of me just taking short, easy stuff to keep us in efficient situations, downs and distances," Mateer said. "(We need to) hit the shots; those are game changers. (I) tried (deep throws) more and just didn't land them."
While Mateer struggled with deep throws, he found success on short balls in the second quarter to redshirt junior wide receiver Isaiah Sategna and redshirt junior wide receiver Javonnie Gibson for the Sooners' only scores of the game. Mater connected with Sategna before he exploded for an 87-yard touchdown, and he found Gibson in the end zone for an 8-yard touchdown.
Mateer credits the second-quarter response to their confidence in each other.
"The first quarter didn't go well, but we didn't get down and still believed," Mateer said. "We believe in each other, and we know when we get an opportunity, we have enough players that we can break the game open. And that's what we did."
However, it was ultimately the Sooners' defense that won them the game. It prevented Missouri sophomore running back Ahmad Hardy, who ranks No. 2 in the nation in season rushing yards, from recording ground production in the second half, while OU failed to score another touchdown.
As the defense led the Sooners to victory, Mateer felt no frustration in how the game was won.
"Not every game's going to be pretty, especially in this league," Mateer said. "There are three phases of football; whichever one's good that day, we are going to ride on that one. Defense and special teams, they were pretty good; they made plays. As an offense, we're getting better every week."
As Mateer strives to strengthen the OU offense, he works alongside offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle after the two led Washington State to No. 6 in points per game in 2024. Mateer said that he and Arbuckle have developed in their respective roles while at OU.
"We've grown together," Mateer said. "I've definitely grown a lot, and he has, too, learned a lot. I'm proud of him in how he's leading and how he's learning and how he's helping me too. ... That's all I need — keeping me going and knowing he has my back."
Going into the high-stakes LSU matchup, Mateer carries Arbuckle's confidence with him.
"He believes in me (to) let it fly," Mateer said, "and be confident in the preparation."
