Brent Venables explains why Jackson Arnold is Oklahoma's starting QB again

For the second time this season, Brent Venables is making a change at quarterback. Jackson Arnold is once again taking over as the starter, replacing Michael Hawkins. A position Anrold began the year at, he will lead Oklahoma onto the field against Ole Miss on Saturday.

Venables explained the decision to start Arnold, citing the positive performance he put together as a reliever vs. South Carolina. Not having turnovers has been Venables’ biggest reason behind both moves, dating back to when Hawkins took over against Tennessee and heading into the Auburn game.

“Jackson stepped in and played pretty well,” Venables said on Tuesday. “Took care of the football, put one on the ground, recovered it. Made a lot of really good decisions in the game. Took command right from the get-go. Had several drops that would have made the day even better for him. So, that’s what went into it.”

In its first three possessions, South Carolina forced three turnovers from Hawkins. Two of them were defensive touchdowns for the Gamecocks while the offense punched another in. Before blinking, Oklahoma was down 21-0 and the game was all but over.

Even so, Venable is not completely closing the door on Hawkins getting back onto the field. He admits if the turnovers continue with Arnold in there, all options will be on the table.

“You go out there and it’s 21-0 because you turn the ball over three straight possessions again, you’ll look at everything,” Venables said.

Arnold will be looking to remain turnover-free once again facing Ole Miss. He will be making his first-ever start on the road after watching Hawkins from the sideline against Auburn. Working alongside new interim offensive coordinator Joe Jon Finely, Oklahoma is desperate to find a pulse on offense to close out the 2024 season.