Brent Venables says Michael Hawkins has 'done okay' against the Texas Longhorns

The Red River Rivalry was already halfway to completion and the Horns had stormed through the first 30 minutes, despite a sluggish start to the game by quarterback Quinn Ewers.

However, the real issue at the quarterback position was on Oklahoma's roster. After benching Jackson Arnold, head coach Brent Venables announced that the true freshman Michael Hawkins Jr. would start against the Horns – the first time a freshman QB has ever started against Texas for OU.

Hawkins struggled against the Longhorns. With 6 completions in the first half, Hawkins only earned 51 yards through the air and only 19 yards on the ground.

While Hawkins didn't throw any interceptions during the first two quarters, unlike Ewers who threw an INT on the third play of the game, he did fumble the ball on a critical drive for the Sooners.

As the two teams headed into the locker rooms at halftime, Venables was asked what he thought about Hawkins' first-half performance.

"Yeah, he's done okay," was all Venables had to say.

While the Oklahoma head coach made it seem like he would stick with Hawkins at quarterback for the second half, many fans and analysts were saying that choice may be a fatal error for the Sooners.

Without a head coach who is willing to back you after your mistake and with a defense that is struggling to slow down the Texas offense, Hawkins is going to have to be on his a-game if he wants to keep his head above water and remain the starting quarterback for Oklahoma.

Other than Ewers' interception, the Longhorn quarterback had 13 completions for 122 yards and a touchdown in the first half. The Texas offense earned 238 total yards and running backs Quintrevion Wisner and Silas Bolden combined for two more touchdowns.

The No. 1 Longhorns led the No. 18 Sooners 21-3 at halftime. The matchup was the 120th meeting between the two programs.

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