John Mateer coughs up the most embarrassing turnover of the season

USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

John Mateer coughs up the most embarrassing turnover of the season

Originally posted on Larry Brown Sports
By Darryn Albert | Last updated Sep 26, 2026 5:52 PM ET

John Mateer apologists are not having a good time right now.

The Oklahoma quarterback Mateer humiliated himself during Saturday’s game against No. 2-ranked Georgia. In the second quarter at Sanford Stadium in Athens, Ga., Mateer had the Sooners at the Bulldogs’ 2-yard line for a 3rd-and-goal play.

Out of a play-action sequence, Mateer rolled left but hesitated on his throw. After initially pump-faking, Mateer tried to fire it into the end zone … only for the ball to slip out.

Mateer then ended up on his wallet as Georgia linebacker Chris Cole pushed him out of the way to recover the fumble and take it all the way to the house for a Bulldogs touchdown. Here is the video of the play, which was ultimately scored as a sack for Cole and an 85-yard fumble return TD.

CHRIS COLE HOUSE CALL

: ESPN pic.twitter.com/wNOacZCjqI
— Georgia Football (@GeorgiaFootball) September 26, 2026

The goof by Mateer gave the Georgia a 21-0 lead. They would go on to score another touchdown before the end of the quarter to take a commanding 28-0 advantage over Oklahoma into halftime.

Mateer, who also threw a separate interception during the first half and lost a separate fumble as well, spent the offseason working out with a notable former Heisman winner. But the results still have yet to show for the senior QB, who is now up to six turnovers on the season and saw his team get upset by unranked Michigan in Week 2.

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