The Oklahoma Sooners couldn’t get the job done in their first-ever SEC game, one in which the fan base alone showed that the Sooners deserved to be in the SEC. They put on a show, while the team did not. The only thing that put on a show from the Sooners was fans singing Toby Keith songs and the defense. The offense did not show up one bit.
Because the offense was so bad with Jackson Arnold as the starting quarterback, the Sooners were forced to make a decision – somewhat of a controversial one , too. They sat Arnold, the former five-plus star recruit, and brought in true freshman quarterback Michael Hawkins, who we have seen for a few plays here and there this season, most notably during the Sooners’ matchup against the Temple Owls.
Hawkins came into the game in what was really a bad situation for any player. They were down multiple scores, with the game looking to be out of reach with the offensive line and wide receivers all performing terribly. Yet, he came in and played a stellar game for what he was thrown into.
“I love Mike [Hawkins],” head coach Brent Venables said after the loss to the Tennessee Volunteers. “He doesn’t get overwhelmed. He’s a great competitor. And he cares.”