The true freshman has done a nice job of taking care of the ball in the passing game, but he'll have to open things up more as he gets more acclimated as the So

Michael Hawkins Jr., on the eve of his first OU-Texas start, was watching a broadcast of Maliek Hawkins' game.

However, three first half turnovers from Arnold in week four forced head coach Brent Venables to pull his starter and insert freshman Michael Hawkins Jr. into the game. The youngster settled in against the Volunteers and moved the ball in the late stages of the game, earning his first career start against Auburn the following week.

Hawkins alone couldn’t save this Sooner offense. Not behind a makeshift offensive line, not with this group of receivers, not with an inefficient run game. Any thoughts of a midseason offensive renaissance were pollyannaish, no matter who the quarterback was. The Sooners just aren’t very good offensively, and that was before a rash of injuries.

The Red River rivalry has often featured defining performances from Oklahoma wide receivers. Caleb Williams’ breakout game in 2021 also saw Marvin Mims Jr. average 27 yards per catch and snag a game-tying touchdown in the fourth quarter.