Oklahoma Quarterback John Mater Undergoes Surgery

Oklahoma quarterback John Mater, a contender for the Heisman Trophy, will need surgery on his right hand. Despite this, he is anticipated to make a return “this season,” although his status remains uncertain for the time being.

Head coach Brent Venables shared this update on Tuesday, following Oklahoma’s 24-17 victory against Auburn. The team is off to a solid start, currently holding a 4-0 record.

Venables stated, “After consulting with a medical professional, it has been determined that surgery is the best choice for John’s short- and long-term health.” He added that Mater is understandably disappointed about missing game time but is eager to resolve the issue and come back stronger.

Reports indicate that Mater has fractured bones in his right hand, though the specifics of the injury are still unclear. It’s expected that he will be sidelined for roughly a month.

Oklahoma mentioned that the injury occurred during the first quarter against Auburn, yet Mater continued to play. He concluded that game with 271 passing yards, along with rushing touchdowns.

During the upcoming bye week, backup quarterback Michael Hawkins Jr. is set to start against Kent on October 4. Unfortunately, this means Mater will miss the crucial Red River rivalry game against Texas on October 11.

Losing a Heisman finalist is certainly a blow, but Oklahoma needs to stay competitive in the SEC as well as in the college football playoff race. After the Texas game, they will face some tough competition, including South Carolina, Ole Miss, Tennessee, Alabama, Missouri, and LSU.

Mater, who transferred to Oklahoma after three seasons at Washington State, has led the SEC with impressive statistics, including 1,215 passing yards and 95 completions in just four games.