Oklahoma benches Jackson Arnold: Sooners sit QB as former five-star prospect struggles in loss to Tennessee

Oklahoma benched starting quarterback Jackson Arnold late in the first half of its 25-15 loss to No. 6 Tennessee on Saturday night, turning instead to freshman Michael Hawkins Jr. The surprising move came after Arnold committed three turnovers, which handicapped the No. 15 Sooners in their first conference game as a member of the SEC.

When OU pulled Arnold, he was 7 of 16 passing for 54 yards with an interception. He also fumbled on a first-and-goal at the Tennessee 5-yard line, squandering a golden scoring opportunity early in the second quarter. Later in the second quarter, Arnold threw a swing pass that was ruled a lateral and recovered by the Volunteers.

Arnold made brief cameo late in the fourth quarter as Hawkins logged the most substantive action of his young career. The former three-star prospect completed 11 of 18 passes for 132 yards and a touchdown while also netting 22 yards on the ground, which made him the Sooners leading rusher. 

Hawkins didn’t provide an immediate spark, but he did lead a pair of touchdown drives in the fourth quarter as Oklahoma tried to get back in the game. They were the first touchdowns surrendered by the Volunteers’ defense this season.

While Hawkins got the nod to come in for Arnold, fellow reserve quarterback Casey Thompson was also spotted warming up on the sideline as the Sooners sought answers during a disastrous second quarter. The Sooners netted minus-20 yards and also incurred a safety during the quarter as Tennessee’s fierce defensive front teed off on OU’s banged-up offensive line. 

While Arnold was far from perfect, the Sooners’ offensive line struggles continued in the first half as Tennessee picked up six tackles for loss. Additionally, veteran receiver Nic Anderson left the game in the first half with injury and was ruled out after playing just a few snaps in his season debut.

The benching of Arnold leaves Oklahoma coach Brent Venables with a tough decision as the Sooners navigate their first season in the SEC. Up next is a trip to Auburn, then a bye week before the all-important Red River Rivalry game against No. 1 Texas on Oct. 12 at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas.

Arnold has long been viewed as the program’s future at quarterback. He was ranked the No. 4 signal caller in the Class of 2023 by 247Sports behind only Arch Manning of Texas, Nico Iamaleava of Tennessee and Dante Moore, who is now at Oregon.

But problems appeared early this season as the Sooners looked disjointed offensively in wins over Houston and Tulane in Week 2 and Week 3. The offensive line’s inconsistency and the absence of high-level playmakers at running back and receiver are at least partially to blame for OU’s early-season struggles. But Arnold bore much of the blame on Saturday. His interception in the first quarter came on an ill-advised throw into blanket coverage, and things only got worse from there.