Oklahoma QB John Mateer Breaks Throwing Hand, Will Undergo Surgery

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Oklahoma’s hot start to the 2025 season took a major hit on Saturday when quarterback John Mateer went down with a broken bone in his right hand. The injury occurred in the first quarter of the Sooners’ 24–17 win over Auburn, forcing the junior signal-caller to the sideline as trainers confirmed the damage to his throwing hand. He is scheduled to undergo surgery this week, and while the expectation is that he will return later this season, the Sooners will have to move forward without their leader in the short term.
Mateer has been the engine behind Oklahoma’s early success, throwing for more than 1,200 yards and six touchdowns through four games while adding another four scores on the ground. His ability to extend plays and keep defenses off balance made him one of the most talked-about players in college football, even drawing early Heisman Trophy buzz. Losing him at this stage is a major setback, especially with conference play heating up and the Red River Rivalry looming on the schedule.

With Mateer sidelined, sophomore Michael Hawkins Jr. will step into the starting role. Hawkins has seen limited action to this point, but he now faces the daunting task of keeping Oklahoma’s offense on track against SEC-level defenses. The Sooners will likely lean on their running game and defense more heavily while Hawkins finds his footing, but the pressure will be immense as the program tries to maintain its top-10 ranking.
The timing of the injury is tough for Oklahoma, but the Sooners do catch a small break with a bye week followed by a matchup against Kent State, giving Hawkins valuable time to settle into the job. Mateer’s return is expected within a month, though the success of his rehab and ability to throw comfortably will ultimately determine how quickly he can get back on the field.
For Oklahoma, this moment will define whether the team can weather adversity and stay in the playoff hunt. If Hawkins can stabilize the offense and the Sooners avoid dropping critical games, Mateer’s return could spark a late-season surge. If not, Oklahoma’s promising start may turn into another “what if” story.