Money Mateer Leads Sooners Past Auburn in Emotional Showdown
The clash between Oklahoma and Auburn on September 20 wasn’t just another SEC game. It was packed with storylines, emotions, and a dramatic finish that had fans on both sides buzzing. At the center of it all were two quarterbacks whose paths had once been intertwined — Jackson Arnold, the former Sooner who transferred to Auburn, and John Mateer, the new face of Oklahoma football.
From the opening drive, the tension in Norman was thick. Every time Arnold dropped back to pass, it felt like déjà vu for Oklahoma fans. He held the ball too long, and the Sooners’ defense knew exactly how to exploit that. By the end of the night, Arnold had been sacked nine times, tying a school record. The final blow came with just over a minute left — a sack for a safety that sealed Oklahoma’s 24–17 win and kept the Sooners unbeaten at 4–0. The crowd roared, almost cathartically, as if an old chapter had been closed.
Also Read:Arnold’s return to Norman was never going to be easy. Once seen as the program’s future, his tenure at Oklahoma was marked by injuries, offensive struggles, and eventually, a painful benching. He took much of the blame for the Sooners’ downturn, even enduring boos, harsh chants, and at times personal attacks. His move to Auburn offered a fresh start, and through three games, he had looked strong. But against his old team, his old flaws resurfaced. To his credit, Arnold showed toughness, connected on some deep shots, and never quit. Still, the night ended with him walking off the field to boos and jeers, though he shared warm hugs with his former teammates before heading to the locker room.
On the other sideline, Oklahoma fans had plenty to cheer for in Mateer. Dubbed “Money Mateer” by the crowd, the former Washington State transfer lived up to the nickname. On his final true offensive drive, he orchestrated a brilliant 75-yard march, capping it off with a touchdown run that put Oklahoma ahead for good. He was nearly flawless down the stretch, completing 16 of his final 17 passes. Each big play brought louder chants and even Johnny Manziel–style money gestures from the fans.
This is exactly what Oklahoma hoped for when it brought in offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle and pulled Mateer from Pullman. The Sooners were desperate for playmakers after finishing near the bottom in scoring last season. Now, with Mateer under center, the offense feels alive again, and Oklahoma looks like a legitimate SEC contender.
As the game ended, the contrast between the two quarterbacks could not have been sharper. Arnold, once the golden boy, walked away to a chorus of boos. Mateer, once overlooked as a three-star recruit, left the field to chants, autographs, and flashes of cameras. In a town where statues are built for legends, the whispers about Mateer’s potential Heisman campaign are already beginning.
For Oklahoma, this game was more than a win. It was a symbolic passing of the torch, a closing of one chapter and the opening of another. For Auburn and Arnold, it was a reminder that the SEC leaves little room for hesitation. And for fans, it was pure drama — the kind of story college football does best.
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