Oklahoma head coach Brent Venables watched quarterback John Mateer dominate Michigan last week, and now the Sooners face a Temple team that knows exactly what’s coming. The Owls aren’t intimidated by the challenge; they’re planning to make Mateer pay for every yard he gains on the ground.
How Will Temple Try To Contain John Mateer’s Dual-Threat Attack?
Mateer carried Oklahoma through the air and on the ground in their impressive 24-13 victory over the Wolverines. The quarterback completed 21 of 34 passes for 270 yards with one touchdown and one interception while leading the team in rushing with 19 carries for 74 yards and two rushing touchdowns.
However, the Sooners now face Temple, and the Owls have done their homework on Oklahoma’s versatile signal-caller.
Temple head coach K.C. Keeler brings championship experience to this matchup as a two-time Football Championship Subdivision national champion. He’s been studying film and is clear about what Mateer brings to Oklahoma’s offense.
“I love his style,” Keeler said. “Dual-threat guy. Ran the ball 19 times this weekend. When they want to get a yard, they put the ball in his hands. I think that’s a combination of his talent, but also the comfortableness that the (offensive) coordinator has with him. That’s his guy. … Love his throwing motion. … He’s really mechanically sound, very accurate.
Temple Coach KC Keeler on defending against Oklahoma dual-threat QB John Mateer: “It’s going to be important for us to get as many hits on him as possible. It’s a cumulative thing … When he pulls the ball down and becomes a running back, he has to pay the price.” pic.twitter.com/Sy4goZ0mTe
— OwlsDaily.com (@TempleOwlsDaily) September 8, 2025
Despite his praise for Mateer’s abilities, Keeler made his defensive strategy crystal clear. The Owls plan to be physical with the Oklahoma quarterback every time he touches the ball.
“He’s really super talented,” Keeler said. “It’s going to be important for us to get as many hits on him as possible. It’s a cumulative thing. … When he pulls the ball down and becomes a running back, he has to pay the price.”
What Does Brian Smith Bring to Temple’s Defense?
To execute this aggressive defensive plan, Keeler brought in Brian Smith from Rice University to serve as the defensive coordinator. This hire represents a significant upgrade for the Owls’ defense.
Smith spent seven successful years as Rice’s defensive coordinator and earned recognition with a Broyles Award nomination in 2024. His defense finished that season ranked ninth nationally in passing defense, limiting opponents to just 173.8 yards per game through the air.
The numbers tell the story of Smith’s defensive prowess. Rice ranked 36th in total defense under his guidance, marking their best performance since 2013, when they finished 30th. His unit held opponents to an average of 5.04 yards per play, the program’s lowest mark since 1975 when they allowed 5.03 yards per play.
Beyond the X’s and O’s, Temple is excited about the opportunity this matchup presents. According to a piece in The Athletic, the Owls actively pursued games against blue-blood programs to boost their national profile.
However, the path to landing a marquee opponent wasn’t easy. Florida, UCLA, USC, and Alabama all turned Temple down, primarily because the Owls are coming off two consecutive 10-win seasons and represent a dangerous opponent that could deliver an upset.
Keeler has Temple off to a perfect 2-0 start to the 2025 season, and he’s embracing the chance to test his team against elite competition.
“This is an opportunity for us to kind of see how good we are,” Keeler told The Athletic. “We’re going to be playing some big-boy football this Saturday.”