Jackson Arnold benched, Oklahoma turns to Michael Hawkins at QB vs. Tennessee

Oklahoma made a quarterback change on the fly on Saturday night, inserting true freshman Michael Hawkins into the game against Tennessee and seemingly benching starter Jackson Arnold for the time being. Tennessee leads 19-3 at the time of the swap, right before halftime.

Arnold struggled heavily in the first half on Saturday night, including a trio of turnovers, two of them particularly ugly. He was 7-of-16 for 54 yards and an interception plus two fumbles at the time of his benching.

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Hawkins led a series right before halftime and the Sooners quickly punted. He finished with 154 total yards and a passing touchdown. He also led another touchdown drive during his action on Saturday.

The final straw seemed to be a backwards pass that Arnold left short of his receiver with minutes remaining in the second quarter, as the Volunteers recovered the fumble and went on to score. It was Jackson’s third turnover in less than 30 minutes.

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In the first quarter, Arnold threw his interception trying to connect on a deep corner route, instead finding double coverage and a Tennessee defender. Minutes later, right after Oklahoma forced and recovered a Tennessee fumble, Arnold fumbled himself to give the ball right back.

Then came his third turnover, which was the final straw.

Venables shared some of his thinking behind the decision

The driving force: Arnold’s trio of turnovers, all costly and two notably ugly. But Venables highlighted some other issues to Rowe.

“Brent Venables said that turnovers were a big factor on why he made a quarterback change in the first half and he is going to stick with the true freshman Michael Hawkins here in the second half,” ESPN sideline reporter Holly Rowe said. “He said it was the turnovers but also stuff has to run on time in our offense. We have timing plays, things that have to happen and it just wasn’t on time. He also said the turnover margin is a big factor. They’re up one for Tennessee. That’s unusual for OU.”

While the Sooners ended up losing, 25-15, Hawkins did managed to produce some offensive life. Enough that commentator Kirk Herbstreit was calling for him to be the starter going forward.

“This kid’s your quarterback,” Herbstreit said of Hawkins in the dying moments of the game. “This is the quarterback right here, No. 9, moving on into next week. He’s done enough in these handful of series in the second half.

“This is what it’s all about right here. This kid is fighting for every inch.”