Oklahoma's 42-25 loss to South Carolina on Saturday underscored the offensive crisis that has plagued the Sooners throughout the 2025 season. The defeat, played before a home crowd that voiced its frustration with boos, dropped Oklahoma to 4-4 overall and 2-3 in SEC play. Head coach Brent Venables, now 20-19 in conference games, faces mounting pressure to define an offensive identity before the season ends.
Offensive Woes Continue
The Sooners entered the game ranked last in the SEC in total offense and rushing offense, and 15th in scoring offense — all worse than the previous season. According to TruMedia, Oklahoma's three-and-out rate stood at 34.1%, 120th nationally. Against the Gamecocks, the offense managed more penalty yards than offensive yards by halftime, trailing 28-10. Quarterback John Mateer completed just 7 of 12 passes for 25 yards in the first half, with most throws limited to the perimeter. The lone first-half score came on an interception return by Kip Lewis.
Mateer finished 26-of-43 for 244 yards, but the bulk of his production came in garbage time after the outcome was decided. He threw two fourth-quarter touchdown passes to Ivan Carreon, the receiver's first scores of the season. SEC Network analyst Dari Nowkah summarized the halftime sentiment: "It ain't changing. You'll see No. 10 trot back out there. That's been the story every game of John Mateer's career; there are opportunities, they're just not being discovered."
Decisions Ahead for Venables
Venables hired offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle after the 2024 season, bringing Mateer from Washington State to run the system. Despite a College Football Playoff appearance last year, the offense has remained inconsistent. Over a four-game stretch late last November, Oklahoma had 47 offensive possessions with 25 punts, five turnovers, and only seven touchdowns — just two of which spanned five or more plays.
With Arbuckle in the second year of a three-year deal, the Sooners must decide whether to continue with the current scheme or pursue a quarterback upgrade in the transfer portal. The roster currently includes true freshmen Whitt Newbauer and sophomore Bowe Bentley, who have combined for two passing attempts this season. Venables, known for building championship defenses at Clemson and Oklahoma, acknowledges that relying on defense alone is unsustainable. The program faces a critical offseason to establish a coherent offensive identity and avoid a third losing season in five years.
