Oklahoma Sooners true freshman quarterback [autotag]Michael Hawkins Jr[/autotag]. has earned plenty of praise for his performance in OU’s come-from-behind win over the Auburn Tigers. Making his first career start at the collegiate level, Hawkins looked calm and under control, making the big plays when necessary to guide Oklahoma to the 27-21 win. His head coach, [autotag]Brent Venables[/autotag], called him “fearless” after the game.
Another man who knows what it’s like to coach the Sooners weighed in with his opinion of Hawkins’ first-ever college start. That would be former OU head coach [autotag]Bob Stoops[/autotag], who spent 18 seasons running the show in Norman. He too was impressed with what he saw from Oklahoma’s new starting quarterback, giving the freshman high praise when he appeared on KREF Sports earlier this week.
“I though he was outstanding,” Stoops said. “He played within himself, played smart. I love the fact that in certain situations when nothing was there, he ate the ball. Sometimes you gotta do that, live to play another series and don’t make a big mistake. I thought overall that’s what he did. I said it right after the game, I said he was smart. He never forced anything and that’s what you do on the road. Sometimes you just gotta suck it up, eat the ball, punt and live to play another series.
Oklahoma has found its QB.
Bob Stoops said today on the Stoops Review he was very impressed with Michael Hawkins on Saturday.
“I thought he was outstanding.” pic.twitter.com/kOF8XgK61Y
— The REF (@KREFsports) September 30, 2024
As Stoops alluded to, Hawkins avoided making the big mistake that plagued the Sooners in the first half the week prior against Tennessee. Hawkins hasn’t turned the ball over once in the game-and-a-half of meaningful college football that he’s played.
The freshman went 10-for-15 for 161 yards passing, no touchdowns and no interceptions. He added 69 rushing yards, a touchdown and a two-point conversion on 14 carries without a fumble.
Oklahoma got its first conference win as a member of the [autotag]SEC[/autotag] in wild fashion, defeating the Tigers after trailing by 11 points in the fourth quarter. The Sooners now turn their attention to the bye week, before they’ll get ready to face the Texas Longhorns on October 12.