John Mateer responds to NFL Draft question after Oklahoma loss to Alabama originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
John Mateer did not look for cover Saturday night. After Oklahoma’s 34–24 College Football Playoff loss to Alabama Crimson Tide, the Oklahoma Sooners quarterback stood in front of reporters and addressed the moment that swung the game and the question that now follows his season.
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“I checked some, but it was a bad check,” Mateer said of the pick six that shifted momentum. “I got tricked. And it was pretty bad. You watch the tape, it was obvious it wasn’t a cover zero and I got tricked. Sometimes when you get tricked you’ve got to mitigate the damage and I didn’t do it.” He paused before finishing the thought. “I didn’t make the tackle and I didn’t let our defense have a chance.”
Mateer threw for more than 300 yards and two touchdowns, production that kept Oklahoma within reach well into the fourth quarter. Still, the standard he set for himself came down to one possession. “Overall it was OK,” he said. “I get the ball there and we win, so it wasn’t good enough.”
Another pivotal moment came on a third and short late in the game. Mateer trusted a receiver breaking open rather than taking off himself. “It’s obviously split decision. You trust your instincts,” he said. “I knew I could run it but he’s running open. It’s unfortunate. It just didn’t work out.” Looking back, he acknowledged the safer choice but stood by the decision. “I don’t regret what I did. It just didn’t work out.”
MORE: Kalen DeBoer says Alabama football is built for this moment
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As the season closed, Mateer spoke more about people than results. “We did a lot of things people didn’t expect,” he said. “I love these guys. And we all hate that it’s over. I wish we could just have one more day together.”
When asked directly about returning to Oklahoma or entering the NFL Draft, Mateer offered no timeline. “I haven’t really thought about it yet,” he said. “I’m pretty sure I’ll take some time and weigh all the options and we’ll see.”
