NORMAN, Okla. (AP) — Oklahoma quarterback John Mateer is coming off the worst start of his career.

He barely completed 50% of his passes for just 202 yards and threw three interceptions in a 23-6 loss to Texas last Saturday that sent the Sooners (5-1, 1-1 SEC) tumbling to No. 14 in the AP Top 25 . Now, for the first time since transferring from Washington State, Mateer is forced to try to bounce back from a loss.

Oklahoma coach Brent Venables said Tuesday that Mateer has handled the aftermath of the Texas game well so far , though he might be taking too much of the blame.

“I’ve got even more respect for him,” Venables said. “You want to carry all the weight for all your guys, but you can’t do that. ... He wants to take the whole team on his back and that’s not fair to him at all.

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