By CHARLES ODUM AP Sports Writer
ATHENS, Ga. (AP) — Chris Cole scored on an 85-yard fumble return as No. 2 Georgia took advantage of three first-half turnovers by John Mateer and overwhelmed struggling Oklahoma 41-13 on Saturday.
Mateer lost two fumbles, each recovered by Cole, and threw an interception in the first half as Oklahoma (2-2, 0-1 Southeastern Conference) fell behind 28-0. K.J. Bolden picked off a pass from Mateer in the second quarter.
While Mateer struggled with turnovers, Gunner Stockton was almost perfect in the first half for Georgia (4-0, 2-0.) Stockton completed his first nine passes, including a 35-yard touchdown throw to Talyn Taylor.
The Sooners finished with four turnovers, including a fumble by tight end Rocky Beers in the third quarter. That paved the way for Georgia’s runaway win despite claiming a modest 306-296 advantage in total yards.
“To compete and win the game, obviously the number one priority is taking care of the football and certainly we failed miserably in doing that,” said Oklahoma coach Brent Venables. “… We’ve got to get out of our own way and give ourselves an opportunity without being careless with the football at the end of the day.”
Mateer’s second lost fumble, forced by Raylen Wilson, was returned 23 yards by Cole late in the first half to set up Chauncey Bowens’ second touchdown run.
Georgia rolled despite holding out its top running back, Nate Frazier, due to injured ribs. Bowens had touchdown runs of 2 and 6 yards as the fill-in starter. Dwight Phillips added a 54-yard touchdown run early in the fourth quarter.
Oklahoma’s defense previously had allowed only two touchdowns in three games. Oklahoma began the day leading the SEC in pass defense and scoring defense, allowing only 7.7 points per game.
The Sooners’ loss continued a troubling opening month that included a 17-10 loss to Michigan in Week 2 and an underwhelming 14-6 win over New Mexico the following week. They fell out of the AP Top 25 last week.
Second-Half Tie
Georgia coach Kirby Smart wasn’t pleased with what he saw as a lull by his team in the second half, when the teams played to a 13-13 tie.
“There was definitely a lull,” Smart said. “Good teams don’t have lulls. … They didn’t stop us. We stopped ourselves.”
Added Smart when asked about the 28-0 halftime lead: “The scoreboard should never matter. We’ve got to play to our standard all the time.”
Just One Game
Oklahoma cornerback Eli Bowen said the “message in the locker room” was the Sooners can’t allow the loss to “define our season.”
“We know what we’re capable of,” Bowen said. “This wasn’t the best representation of our abilities.”
Sticking with Mateer
Venables stuck with Mateer despite the turnovers but acknowledged making a change at quarterback was “something we discussed.”
“We discussed all options on the headset and ultimately still felt like John was our best choice to win the game,” offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle said.
Both coaches spoke on the quarterback’s descending confidence after a tough start to the season. Venables said it’s “bruised,” while promising that nobody is more disappointed than Mateer.
The fifth-year quarterback didn’t outwardly admit to confidence struggles after the game.
“I think I’m still playing fast,” he said. “I’m not questioning what I do during the play. I think the process is where it needs to be. I think it’s just not working out, so I wouldn’t say so.”
Mateer’s play is a stark contrast from last season when he led the Sooners to a 10-2 regular season record and playoff berth despite a brief October slump after returning from a midseason surgery on his throwing hand. Questions have surfaced about his injury leading to recent poor play, but he denied any issues.
“We’re not gonna quit,” Mateer said. ”It’s not who we are. It’s not what we do. It’s not what our head coach does.”
The Takeaway
Mateer’s turnovers leave him in the spotlight for the Sooners. Mateer completed 25 of 34 passes for 231 yards with two touchdowns and one interception. Mateer threw a 17-yard scoring pass to Beers in the third quarter and a 14-yard touchdown pass to Manny Choice late in the game. The Sooners moved the ball better than the score indicated. They outgained the Bulldogs 210-173 through three quarters.
Up Next
Oklahoma plays No. 1 Texas on Oct. 10 in Dallas.
