Jackson Arnold’s past meets his present Saturday when Arnold’s 22nd-ranked Auburn Tigers take on No. 11 Oklahoma on Saturday in Norman, Oklahoma.
Arnold was the Sooners’ quarterback for much of last season, when Oklahoma’s offense struggled and the Sooners finished 6-7.
The now-junior transferred to Auburn in the offseason as Oklahoma made offensive changes and ultimately brought in offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle and quarterback John Mateer.
So far, the changes have worked out well for both sides.
Mateer has thrown for 944 yards and five touchdowns and rushed for 161 yards and four scores.
Arnold has thrown for 501 yards and four touchdowns with no interceptions while running for 192 yards and four touchdowns.
Both are undefeated through three games. Saturday’s game is the SEC opener for both.
Oklahoma coach Brent Venables said Arnold wasn’t much different of a player than he was a year ago, when he completed 62.6% of his passes for 12 touchdowns and three interceptions. Venables noted the numerous injuries the Sooners suffered on offense a season ago, particularly among the receiver group.
“I think he’s the same guy,” Venables said. “I think he’s got a healthy football team around him. … People around him are good. Can’t play quarterback by yourself.”
Arnold declined interview requests heading up to the game, but Tigers coach Hugh Freeze spoke plenty about the challenges Arnold faces Saturday.
In 2021, Freeze coached Liberty against his old program, Ole Miss.
“That whole week, you know, it was a challenge for me not to think about some of that,” Freeze said. “I know the same will be true for Jackson.”
Freeze also had high praise for Mateer.
“You can tell that team follows him, and he’s their go-to guy in critical downs for whatever they need, and he’s got the ability to do it,” Freeze said. “You watch the tape, you think this team is one of the special ones, and he’s a large reason.”
Saturday won’t be the first meeting between the quarterbacks.
Mateer and Arnold played in the same district in high school, Mateer for Little Elm (Texas) and Arnold for Denton Guyer.
Mateer’s path to the SEC has been more circuitous, as he started his career at Washington State before transferring to Oklahoma this offseason.
“It was always the goal,” Mateer said of playing at this level. “I never knew exactly how it would work out, but it’s awesome and I’m happy to be here.”
Oklahoma won last year’s matchup 27-21 on the road and leads the all-time series 2-0. Arnold did not start last year’s game after being replaced by Michael Hawkins Jr. following his struggles the week before against Tennessee.
Last season, the Sooners’ defense set the tone in the game with Kip Lewis’ fourth-quarter interception return for a touchdown making the difference.
Oklahoma’s defense has had a strong start so far, allowing just one touchdown and 27 first downs through three games. The Sooners are fourth nationally, allowing just 181 yards per game.
Auburn figures to lean heavily on the strength of its running game. Jeremiah Cobb has rushed for 314 yards and four touchdowns.
Oklahoma will be without standout defensive end R Mason Thomas for the first half of the game after Thomas was ejected for targeting in last week’s 42-3 win over Temple.
The Tigers are looking for their first 4-0 start since 2019.
