Jackson Arnold benched: Oklahoma fans, media react to disappointing 5-star
Jackson Arnold was going to be the Oklahoma Sooners' next great quarterback. Oklahoma was so confident in him, they let Dillon Gabriel transfer to Oregon.
Being benched in the middle of his fourth start certainly wasn't part of the plan.
Arnold's time as the guy in Norman was short lived. He was 7-of-16 with an interception and two fumbles in the first half against Tennessee. Brent Venables pulled the plug before halftime.
A whole lot of Oklahoma fans were on board with that decision too.
Jackson Arnold's benching had Oklahoma fans feeling down
jackson arnold might actually be the worst OU QB in decades
— BOOMER #1 (@OUSOONERS4L) September 22, 2024
Our defense deserves much better that what the offense is delivering. Jackson Arnold in losing this game for us. Bench him. He doesn’t have it.
— B Miller (@britt_brat_94) September 22, 2024
We want Hawkins.
The critics may have been right about Jackson Arnold.
— ⭕️U - Woerzy (@woerzyfbaby) September 22, 2024
1st and Goal on the 5 yard line and you fumble on the first play?
He hasn’t shown the “it” factor while at OU thus far. I was wrong.
Unbelievable. Defense doesn’t deserve this. #OUDNA
Jackson Arnold had been incredibly bad tonight. But my God, this offense makes so many shit mistakes. Bad snaps, blown assignments, dropped balls, etc.
— George Stoia III (@GeorgeStoia) September 22, 2024
The QB change had to happen. But holy shit, this offense has a lot of issues.
Jackson Arnold ask what's next for him? 😳 pic.twitter.com/aeWekQoDJB
— Danny Noonan ⛳ 🇺🇲 (@t2green01) September 22, 2024
Oklahoma fans had a lot to process watching Arnold. Michael Hawkins Jr. took over and didn't make many crushing mistakes. He didn't exactly spark a comeback but he did throw for a score. It was a clear improvement.
The irony of the Sooners showing Gabriel the door and then getting this kind of output from Arnold wasn't lost on college football Twitter.
At the end of the first half, Oklahoma QB Jackson Arnold (7-for-16, 54 yards, 0 TDs, 1 INT) has a passer rating of 26.6, which is worse than if you did nothing but spike the ball into the ground on every single play
— JaguarGator9 (@JaguarGator9NFL) September 22, 2024
Tate Martell — Jackson Arnold looks like Oklahoma's Tate Martell.
— RJ Young (@RJ_Young) September 22, 2024
Dillon Gabriel watching Jackson Arnold get benched for a freshman in his first sec game at Oklahoma pic.twitter.com/L8nVCVXYqZ
— John (@iam_johnw) September 22, 2024
I know these are tough decisions in the portal/NIL world, but Oklahoma running off Dillon Gabriel after a 10-win season to hand the keys to Jackson Arnold was an all time bone head move 🤦♂️🤦♂️
— Aaron Torres (@Aaron_Torres) September 22, 2024
Arnold is still a young quarterback. Theoretically letting him sit on the bench and get his head straight makes sense. The problem is he was replaced by Hawkins Jr., a true freshman.
This isn't a scenario where a veteran head settles things down while the young gun learns. Hawkins is a young gun as well. And the ball is now in his hands.
The big question is whether Venables will stick with the benching. Is Hawkins now in line to start next week against Auburn? Or will Arnold be given another chance to prove he can handle the job?
Plenty of Sooners fans have decided which answer they want.
Michael Hawkins is QB1. I will stand on the fact that Jackson Arnold has zero dog in him, respectfully.
— the dove (@THEAMERICANDOVE) September 22, 2024
*orders a Michael Hawkins Jr. jersey*
— Abigail Ogle📝 (@KOCOAbigail) September 22, 2024
If Hawkins becomes QB1, Arnold will have to sit on the bench and wait for him to slip up if he wants another chance at being the Sooners' starter.
Arnold was a five-star prospect, ranking No. 10 in the class of 2023. He hasn't played like it so far. And now he's riding the pine.
feed