John Mateer gets brutally honest about his 2025 season: ‘I cringe when I watch the film’
John Mateer addressed his pick-six against Alabama in the College Football Playoff and took responsibility for the Sooners' offensive inconsistencies throughout 2025.
Olivia Bennett 
Oklahoma quarterback John Mateer took center stage at SEC Media Days on Monday, reflecting on a turbulent 2025 season as he gears up for his second year leading the Sooners.
A Season of Highs and Lows
Mateer kicked off his 2025 campaign in explosive fashion, racking up 1,215 passing yards, six touchdowns, and three interceptions alongside 190 rushing yards and five scores. However, a thumb injury sustained during the Sooners’ SEC opener against Auburn shifted the trajectory of his season, effectively cooling the momentum of an undefeated 4-0 start.
Reflecting on the injury, Mateer admitted it was a difficult adjustment period. “You could say this and that and depends on what I want to have out there and stuff. But I mean it wasn’t easy,” he said. “I had to adapt and make some adjustments. But, I mean, you can imagine what it was like.”
Inconsistency Under Center
The physical setbacks appeared to ripple through the Oklahoma offense. The following week, the Sooners suffered a 23-6 defeat to Texas, a game in which Mateer was sacked five times and threw three interceptions. His struggles continued into a 34-26 loss to Ole Miss, where he was sacked three more times and managed only two touchdowns over a three-game stretch.
By season's end, Mateer totaled 2,885 passing yards, 14 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions. Despite the inconsistencies, Oklahoma secured a College Football Playoff berth, setting up a first-round clash with Alabama in Norman. The game became a microcosm of the season, headlined by a pivotal second-quarter pick-six from Alabama’s Zabien Brown that erased a 17-point Oklahoma lead in a 34-24 loss.
Looking Toward 2026
Mateer didn't shy away from accountability when discussing the team's offensive shortcomings. “I would say I was the reason. I mean, I’ll be honest I cringe when I watch the film,” he stated. “So, I mean, I got to be better. We’re all working towards it. We’ve all done a great job, but if the quarterback doesn’t perform then it’s tough on everybody.”
As he prepares for a crucial 2026 season—which features high-stakes road tests against Michigan, Georgia, and Florida—Mateer is carrying the hard-learned lessons of the past year with him.
“I learned that this is a long year,” Mateer said. “You got to play it week to week. You got to have some stamina, some real stamina. But it’s fun. Even in the struggles there’s real beauty in it. And I learned a lot about that, this life, and God’s plans for us. It’s not always what you want, but it’s what’s going to help you out the most.”
