Venables mulled benching Oklahoma QB Mateer amid struggles - ESPN

ATHENS, Ga. — Oklahoma coach Brent Venables said there were discussions about benching quarterback John Mateer at halftime in the Sooners' 41-13 loss to No. 2 Georgia.

It was a tough Saturday for Mateer, who turned the ball over on three consecutive drives in the second quarter, helping Georgia to a 28-0 lead by halftime. He finished the game 25-of-34 for 231 passing yards, two touchdowns, an interception and two lost fumbles.

«It's something that, you know, we discussed,» Venables said after the loss. «We'll look at everything, you know, how to get better.»

Mateer's first turnover was a fumble, which Georgia linebacker Chris Cole returned 85 yards for a touchdown. KJ Bolden picked off the quarterback on the following drive, and Raylen Wilson forced a fumble on a sack minutes later. Cole recovered the fumble a second time, putting Georgia in scoring position.

«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 has committed six turnovers in the past three games, including a crucial late interception that set Michigan up for the game-winning touchdown in Week 2. He had two early picks against New Mexico in a shaky 14-6 Week 3 win, which sent the