John Mateer sets record in Oklahoma debut, leading No. 18 Sooners to 35-3 win over Illinois State
John Mateer sets record in Oklahoma debut, leading No. 18 Sooners to 35-3 win over Illinois State
NORMAN, Okla. (AP) — John Mateer passed for 392 yards and three touchdowns in a record-setting first game at Oklahoma, and the 18th-ranked Sooners beat Illinois State 35-3 on Saturday night.
Mateer, a transfer from Washington State, set the school record for most yards passing in an Oklahoma debut, surpassing Baker Mayfield’s 388 yards against Akron in 2015.
“Oh, it’s awesome,” Mateer said. “It’s a blessing. You go in the record books in Game 1 — it’s a super good feeling.”
Mateer also surpassed his Washington State career high of 390 yards passing. He completed 30 of 37 passes and ran for a score.
Keontez Lewis, a transfer from Southern Illinois, had nine catches for 119 yards and two touchdowns for Oklahoma. Jaren Kanak, a converted linebacker, had five catches for 90 yards in his first game at tight end.
Deion Burks added seven catches for 88 yards and a score for Oklahoma, which gained 495 yards in Ben Arbuckle’s first game as offensive coordinator.
The Sooners allowed just 151 total yards, including 34 yards passing, with head coach Brent Venables as the defensive play-caller. He took over after his previous play-caller, Zac Alley, left to become defensive coordinator at West Virginia.
Wright Wenkers had 50 yards on seven carries for Illinois State. The FCS Redbirds’ only points came on a field goal in the third quarter after Mateer threw an interception deep in his team’s territory.
“I wasn’t too enthralled with how we played the pass defensively and how we threw the ball offensively,” Illinois State coach Brock Spack said. “We lost that game in the passing game on both sides of the ball.”
Smooth transition
Kanak played linebacker for three years before switching to offense. Arbuckle raved about Kanak’s performance in camp, and he earned the start and a key role in the passing game.
All didn’t go well – the newbie fumbled on a catch in the second quarter, and Illinois State recovered. He bounced back quickly – his next grab later in the quarter went for 48 yards. He also added receptions of 12 and six yards.
Mateer was sure to reassure Kanak after the fumble.
“Just because you make one mistake, can’t faze you,” Mateer said. “It was a good effort mistake. It was an effort mistake. It happens. He hasn’t been live and held the ball in a live setting.”
Bright spot
Oklahoma freshman Tory Blaylock found space a few times and rushed for 44 yards and a touchdown on eight carries. He also caught two passes for 18 yards.
His burst was needed. The starter, Jovantae Barnes, had nine yards on seven carries. Jaydn Ott, a big-name transfer from Cal, didn’t get a carry until the fourth quarter and lost three yards on it.
The takeaway
Illinois State: The Redbirds were solid — they didn’t turn the ball over, had just two penalties for 10 yards and didn’t get blown out too badly. They were a playoff team last season, and they appear capable of getting there again.
Oklahoma: The Sooners moved the ball, but they gained just 103 yards rushing on 32 carries. That will need to improve against a rugged schedule.
Up next
Illinois State: Hosts Morehead State on Sept. 6.
Oklahoma: Hosts No. 14 Michigan on Sept. 6.
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By CLIFF BRUNT
AP Sports Writer
