Mateer, Sooners head to No. 2 Georgia after 14-6 escape and boos in Norman

NORMAN, Okla. — John Mateer heard the boos Saturday night, and he did not dispute them. Oklahoma's quarterback threw two first-half interceptions in a 14-6 win over New Mexico, the second of which offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle said appeared to be a miscommunication with wide receiver Parker Livingstone.

You don't need to boo us. Sure, do it. You do whatever you want. But we know. We're people, too.

— Oklahoma quarterback John Mateer

Mateer finished 19 of 25 for 238 yards with two touchdowns and the two interceptions, playing 59 snaps and earning a Pro Football Focus passing grade of 65.6. His 76% completion rate was the second-best of his Oklahoma career. The touchdowns went to tight end Hayden Hansen, who caught a 29-yard pass for his first score in an OU uniform, and wide receiver Isaiah Sategna III, who turned a 53-yard throw into a touchdown. On that play, Mateer said he was late to the third read and only located Sategna after hearing the crowd of 83,243 at Gaylord Family — Oklahoma Memorial Stadium react.

The Sooners struggled to run the ball with any consistency amid continued offensive line problems, leaving Mateer as the offense's only reliable source of production. Coach Brent Venables was blunt afterward, saying the Sooners have to figure out how they stop losing to themselves offensively. Oklahoma (2-1) beat New Mexico a week after a 17-10 loss at Michigan and slipped from No. 21 to No. 24 in the US LBM Coaches Poll released Sunday afternoon, one of 10 SEC teams ranked.

Mateer took the Michigan loss hard, he said, and leaned on his faith to reset. The turnovers against New Mexico brought another round of self-examination.

First of all, throwing it back over the middle, not a good idea. I thought I could get it in there, obviously didn't. And the second one, a little miscommunication, but I mean, there's so many places to throw the ball. But it's on me. I mean, just can't do it.

— John Mateer

Georgia rolling behind the run

The opponent Saturday offers no reprieve. No. 2 Georgia (3-0, 1-0 SEC) opened conference play with a 45-17 win at Arkansas, leading 21-3 at halftime and 38-3 in the fourth quarter before the Razorbacks scored twice against Bulldogs backups. Georgia ran the ball 42 times for 254 yards and four touchdowns, with quarterback Gunner Stockton leading the team with 97 yards on seven carries. Nate Frazier had 75 total yards on 14 carries before leaving with an injury, and Chauncey Bowens scored three times on 11 carries for 39 yards. Freshman receiver Craig Dandridge added 74 yards on three catches, including a 61-yard touchdown. Linebacker Raylen Wilson posted two sacks and two tackles for loss.

Kirby Smart declined to characterize the 28-point margin as a blowout, saying he does not view SEC games that way. Kickoff in Athens is set for 3:30 p.m. ET Saturday at Dooley Field at Sanford Stadium on ESPN, with Georgia Athletics listing the game as sold out. It is Oklahoma's first trip to Athens and only the second meeting between the programs; Georgia won the 2017 College Football Playoff semifinal 54-48 in double overtime. A fan-organized Stripe Sanford event, not affiliated with the university, is planned for the game.