Brent Venables revealed the secret behind QB John Mateer being so much better in the second half vs. the Vols

Sooners HC Brent Venables reveals why Mateer was better in second half vs. Vols

“A combination of a lot of things," Venables told reporters after the win when asked why Mateer was so much better in the second half. "I thought we played with better rhythm. Sometimes it’s the play caller, establishing the run, the quick game. I just thought we stayed on schedule and didn’t press. We didn’t make a lot of mistakes.”

Mateer, in the first half, played very jittery and was scared. We all saw him throwing the ball after jumping off both feet while in the pocket, when he really didn't have to. He didn't necessarily make any detrimental mistakes that completely changed the game, but he didn't play great, and he often ran out of the pocket into easier sack situations when he didn't have to.

But in the second half, he wasn't stellar, but man, he was much better. Outside of that interception, he threw - which he should not have pulled on the RPO - Mateer played great. He ran the ball effectively and made the correct reads in the passing game that he needed to in order to move the sticks. Sure, he didn't hit any big ball down the field, but he got the offense in scoring position a few different times.

His legs are what really open up this offense the most. When he is hesitant to run, the offense isn't as good. The defense can relax a bit and not have to worry about that aspect of the offense, and then they can sell all out on the pass and the pass rush. When he runs, it adds a wrinkle that's harder for the defense to stop.

Mateer had 16 rushes for 80 rushing yards and a rushing touchdown. His passing numbers weren't amazing, but he did what he had to do to win, going 19/29 for 159 passing yards and the interception. His top target was once again Isaiah Sategna, who had six catches for 68 yards. However, this time Deion Burks had the same number of catches, whereas in the last game, he wasn't used much at all.

Wide receiver Jer'Michael Carter had two catches, bringing has three on the year. His 21 yards seemed to come at very crucial times, too.

The Sooners' offense will go as far as Mateer takes it. On Saturday against the Vols, he took it as far as he could, and in this instance, that was far enough.

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