Brent Venables addresses decision to bench Michael Hawkins Jr. for Jackson Arnold

After just seven offensive plays, Oklahoma found itself facing a 21-0 deficit during Saturday’s game against South Carolina. That led Brent Venables to bench starting quarterback Michael Hawkins Jr. and bring Jackson Arnold into the game – a decision he addressed afterward.

Hawkins threw an interception on the first play of the game, which set up a South Carolina scoring drive. He stayed in the game on the ensuing possession, but fumbled on a sack as the Gamecocks took it back for a scoop-and-score to make it a 14-0 ballgame with 11:21 to play. Then, on the next drive, Hawkins threw a 66-yard pick-six to make it a 21-0 South Carolina lead.

That was enough for Venables to put Arnold in the game, which had a few implications. Most notably, it was his fifth appearance of the year, meaning he can no longer take a redshirt. Speaking with reporters afterward, Venables said the three consecutive turnovers were the decision-maker.

“We’ll talk about that when we figure that out, as far as moving forward,” Venables said in his postgame press conference. “Again, three straight drives, turnovers. That’s a pretty easy decision.”

Arnold completed 18 of 36 passes for 225 yards and a touchdown after taking over for Hawkins as Oklahoma went on to fall 35-9. Brent Venables pointed out the ups and downs of his performance, but noted the offense as a whole needs to take a leap forward to meet Oklahoma’s standard.

“There was some that was good and some that wasn’t, but he did a lot that was good today,” Venables said. “We’ve got to be good around him. I hate saying the same thing every time we’re playing a really good defense, well-coached and very long and athletic.

“When we’re not turning the ball lover and having negative plays and having sacks, there were some things where we had rhythm at times, but not nearly where it needs to be. Far below the standard and the expectation.”

Prior to Saturday, Arnold hadn’t played since the Tennessee game. In that matchup, Arnold went 7-for-16 for 54 yards and an interception before the switch. Hawkins came in and completed 11 of 18 passes for 132 yards and a touchdown while also taking on a key role in the running game. All told, in his four appearances entering Saturday, he has thrown for 458 yards and a touchdown while adding 128 rushing yards and a score.

The decision to make a change also drew support from legendary Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops. He called the start to Saturday’s game “unbelievable” before suggesting he, too, would’ve made the switch.

“I’m all for it,” Stoops said on the broadcast, via Sooner Scoop’s George Stoia III.