Brent Venables has been dealing with a quarterback controversy this season.

The Oklahoma head coach decided to bench Jackson Arnold during the Tennessee game, and freshman Michael Hawkins Jr. has been the starter since. However, Hawkins has delivered mixed results and the Sooners are now sitting at 4-2 overall and 1-2 in SEC play.

In Week 7, the Sooners were dominated by the rival Texas Longhorns in the Red River Rivalry. During the game, fans began to call for Arnold to be reinserted as the team’s QB. However, on Monday’s coaches show, Venables revealed the team will stick with Hawkins for now.

“You want to give guys a real opportunity to show what they can do and have a body of work and not be so quick to judge,” said Venables. “Jackson had a fantastic week of practice a week ago but we didn’t feel that’s what we needed to do.”

Brent Venables says on his coaches show that Michael Hawkins Jr. is still the starter at quarterback for the #Sooners.

He said that Jackson Arnold had a fantastic week of practice last week, but felt that wasn’t the direction they needed to go.

— George Stoia III (@GeorgeStoia) October 15, 2024

“You want to give guys a real opportunity to show what they can do and have a body of work and not be so quick to judge.” – Venables when asked about the quarterback position. “Jackson had a fantastic week of practice a week ago but we didn’t feel that’s what we needed to do.”

— SoonerScoop.com (@SoonerScoop) October 15, 2024

Even with Arnold having a “fantastic week of practice,” the coach clearly feels like Hawkins gives the team the best chance to win.

Hawkins has thrown for 458 yards with 1 touchdown and no interceptions. The dual-threat QB has also added 128 rushing yards. Before being benched, Arnold threw for 538 yards with 7 TDs and 3 INTs.

OU’s next game will be in Week 8 against South Carolina.