Worst nightmare: Venables officially tip QB Michael Hawkins Jr. For a special assignment’ against Texas” surely ready for ‘big moment’ in Red River Rivalry against Texas…
In front of an enthusiastic opposing crowd at Jordan-Hare Stadium, Oklahoma quarterback Michael Hawkins Jr. made his first career start and led the Sooners to a 27-21 victory last Saturday. It was the first time a true freshman quarterback from Oklahoma won his first road start.
In the seventh week of the Red River Rivalry (3:30 p.m. ET, October 12), he will create another piece of history by starting for 19th-ranked Oklahoma versus No. 2 Texas as the first true freshman quarterback. Brent Venables, the Sooners’ coach, stated he’s prepared for the current situation.
“We tell Mike that it’s just going on the road and winning a football game,” Venables said Wednesday after practice. “He can’t try to win the game in the first drive. He’s got to play within the system. He’s got to take care of the football. He’s got a good special teams and defense. If he can make plays with the guys around him, we’ve got a good chance to win. I don’t want the emotions and what the Texas game means to everyone to hijack his focus. It’ll be a big moment for him. His family is flying in from Dallas. We’re playing a really good Texas team… The moment isn’t too big. He’s ready. He’s earned the opportunity.”
Hawkins completed 10-of-15 passes for 161 yards and led the team with 69 rushing yards and a touchdown in the win at Auburn in Week 5. The Frisco (Texas) Emerson product rated as a three-star in the class of 2024 and ranked as the No. 35 quarterback and No. 82 player in the state of Texas. He became the fourth Oklahoma true freshman quarterback to win their starting debut and the first to win on the road. He was the first Oklahoma true freshman to make his first career start on the road since Troy Aikman at Kansas in 1984.
“It was a very emotional moment for my parents,” Hawkins said of his first start. “I love them so much, they’ve been there for me every step of the way. My dad got really emotional, and I love that because he’s put so much effort into me and sacrificed so much. My mom is so great. I just love that moment for me.”
Hawkins replaced former five-star recruit Jackson Arnold in Oklahoma’s starting lineup. Arnold started the season as the first Sooner to throw for four touchdowns in his first career home start since Josh Heupel in 1999. His play took a significant turn by the Week 4 loss at Tennessee, where he committed three first-half turnovers as Oklahoma fell behind early.
“Jackson has worked hard to make sure he’s got the right mindset,” Venables said. “Everybody’s got a role. He’s gotta stay ready. He’s gotta stay ready. He’s handled things great. Really, really good in every way. Now, more so than you’d probably think as just a second-year player. And incredibly probably disappointed. It would be naive if we didn’t think that’s not a piece of what he’s going through.”
