The Oklahoma Sooners offense stalled with starting quarterback Jackson Arnold at the helm against the Tennessee Volunteers.
After struggling and being benched against the Volunteers, Arnold watched as backup quarterback Michael Hawkins Jr had some success. Hawkins Jr finished the game with 149-yards through the air as well as a touchdowns. The quarterback also added 22-yards on the ground, which was reduced due to a sack the offensive line allowed.
What was your biggest takeaway from yesterday’s action?
Mine was that Oklahoma could be looking at maybe four more losses if it cannot find a way to get the offense going. Whether that’s a tweak to the scheme, letting Michael Hawkins Jr take over at quarterback, getting Nic…
— CFB Focus 🏈 (@cffmwachsman) September 22, 2024
With Arnold struggling and Hawkins Jr finding success behind a weak offensive line, many Sooners fans were quick to ask for more playing time for the quarterback moving forward. Other fans believed Hawkins Jr could have won the game against the Volunteers had he started.
If Michael Hawkins Jr plays the whole game Oklahoma wins.
Congratulations to Heupel for the big road win, but Oklahoma proved last night they belong.— BEWMAH (@BoomerestSooner) September 22, 2024
Offense:
– Jackson Arnold is NOT who I, and much of the fanbase, thought he was
– Michael Hawkins Jr is clearly the best QB on the roster, but he’s not 2021 Caleb Williams
– We can’t run the ball at all
– We can’t count on Nic Anderson for multiple more weeks, maybe the season— Owen Pannell (@SirPannell) September 22, 2024
With Michael Hawkins Jr we’re not losing another game!
— Heads on Grass Tails on Turf Guy (@cdodge2222) September 22, 2024
Other Sooners fans, however, felt that the performance from Hawkins Jr proved the quarterback is going to be the future of the program.
It reveals that we can complete in the SEC. The two turnovers deep in Vol territory was the difference in the game. As inept as our OL is, and we knew it, we found out our defense is SEC ready and Michael Hawkins is our future….
— Robert Marks, Jr. (@talleybottoms) September 22, 2024
Regardless of who the Sooners chose to make the starter moving forward, if Hawkins Jr is in consideration, Oklahoma will need to step it up along the offensive line. While the Volunteers have a talented rush on defense, the Sooners were able to accumulate 36-yards rushing. The line also allowed three sacks and plenty more hits on the quarterback.
Oklahoma Sooners May Have to Consider Playing Michael Hawkins Jr
After the quarterback had a great performance coming in for Arnold, it might be difficult for the staff to not include Hawkins Jr moving forward.
The quarterback has the ability to escape a broken pocket and can turn dead plays into a positive gain with his legs. The Sooners might have an incredible quarterback in terms of arm strength and playmaking through the air in Arnold. However, Hawkins Jr seems to add a new dimension to the offense that could be hard to pass up against tough SEC defenses.
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What do you think about the Michael Hawkins Jr and Jackson Arnold playing moving forward for the Sooners?
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