Following a 25-15 loss at home to Tennessee, Oklahoma will make a quarterback change.
Head coach Brett Venables announced Monday that freshman Michael Hawkins Jr. will start in the Sooners’ SEC road opener at Auburn. Hawkins gets the nod over freshman Jackson Arnold, a five-star recruit.
Arnold threw for 54 yards and an interception, completing 7 of 16 passes against Tennessee. He committed three turnovers, losing two fumbles, against the Volunteers. Oklahoma benched Arnold just before halftime and Hawkins took over on the Sooners’ final drive of the first half.
Venables decided to make the change because of turnovers, according to ESPN’s Holly Rowe (via On3).
“He said it was because of turnovers, but also because in our offense things have to happen on time. We have plays that are timed, things that have to happen and they just didn’t happen on time. He also said turnover margin is a big factor. They have a one-point lead over Tennessee. That’s unusual for OU.”
Hawkins threw for 132 yards and a touchdown on 11-of-18 passing. He also ran for 22 yards on 11 carries. After the game, Venables said he would have be a quarterback battle During the week leading up to Saturday, but his comments seemed to indicate he was leaning toward Hawkins.
“He’s a tremendous athlete,” Venables said of Hawkins. By Colton Sulley of The Oklahoman“There were a few times where we had pressure from the edges that we didn’t block and he got out of the zone. So he has some playmaking ability and can hurt you with his legs.”
After reportedly reviewing the film, Oklahoma coaches apparently decided to make the change now and give Hawkins a full week of reps with the first-team offense.
In Oklahoma’s first four games, Arnold completed 60% (61 of 102) of his passes for 538 yards, seven touchdowns and three interceptions.
Oklahoma (3-1), which fell to No. 21 in this week’s AP Poll, faces Auburn (2-2) at Jordan-Hare Stadium. Kickoff is at 3:30 ET and the game will be televised on ABC.