The Oklahoma Sooners opened the 2025 season with a solid performance against the Illinois State Redbirds on Saturday night. It wasn’t the margin of victory that many were expecting, but Oklahoma did just what it needed to in a game that was never really in doubt.
Oklahoma outgained its opponent 495 to 151 despite losing the rushing battle. That’s because John Mateer was fantastic in his Sooners‘ debut, accounting for over 400 yards of total offense and four touchdowns in the win.
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The defense didn’t create a ton of splash plays, but they only gave up three points on a drive that started just outside the red zone after Mateer’s interception.
It was a solid performance to start the season. And as we’ll do each week, here are five takeaways from the Oklahoma Sooners win over Illinois State.
1. Sooners Offensive Line still needs work
Aug 30, 2025; Norman, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma Sooners running back Tory Blaylock (6) celebrates with teammates after running for a touchdown against the Illinois State Redbirds during the first half at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images
Offensive line play has been arguably the biggest point of discussion all offseason. The Sooners were not good up front last year, and there are still questions after Oklahoma’s performance against Illinois State.
The Sooners ran for just 103 yards at 3.2 yards per carry on 32 carries.
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Running lanes were not easy to come by. Even though true freshman running back Tory Blaylock was able to find more success, it was still tough sledding. Of course, it didn’t help that Oklahoma was missing offensive tackles Derek Simmons and Michael Fasusi, as well as left guard Heath Ozaeta.
Oklahoma ran a lot of vanilla run concepts in this game, but it still should have been more effective against a lesser-talented FCS Illinois State.
With Michigan rolling into town, the Sooners will have to be better in the running game.
More: Everything Brent Venables had to say after Oklahoma’s 35-3 win over Illinois State
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2. John Mateer shines in debut
Aug 30, 2025; Norman, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma Sooners quarterback John Mateer (10) reacts after the game against the Illinois State Redbirds at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images
But they may not have to be that much better. John Mateer was fantastic on Saturday night against Illinois State.
Mateer finished the night 30 fo 37 for 392 yards and four total touchdowns. With 24 rushing yards, the new Sooners starting quarterback finished with 416 total yards of offense in week one.
That’s an impressive debut. So impressive that it broke Baker Mayfield’s record for most passing yards in a debut set back in 2015.
Beyond the numbers, Mateer was poised and accurate with his throws. He was only off target on a few of his 37 attempts and often hit the runner in stride, allowing them to pick up yardage after the catch. Mateer carved up Illinois State in the intermediate area of the field, and when receivers weren’t open, he had the confidence to throw 50-50 balls to his top playmakers.
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The challenges will get tougher, but this was a strong start to Mateer’s Oklahoma Sooners career.
3. Speaking of Debuts
Oklahoma’s Keontez Lewis (9) makes a catch touchdown catch in the second half of the college football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners and the Illinois State Redbirds at the Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Okla., Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025.
There were several other players who showed out in their first game with the Sooners, or their first game at a new position.
Transfer wide receiver Keontez Lewis led the Oklahoma Sooners in receiving with nine catches for 119 yards and two touchdowns. He found the soft spot in zone coverage and was able to make multiple plays in tight man-to-man coverage. He displayed the playmaking ability that made Lewis a priority target for the Sooners last offseason.
Making his debut with the offense was veteran linebacker turned tight end Jaren Kanak. Many were surprised that he was the sole starter at tight end when the initial depth chart came out earlier in the week. Well, Kanak proved why he was alone atop the depth chart. He’s a playmaker in the passing game. Save for the fumble on the second drive of the game, the former four-star athlete was dynamic down the field, picking up yards after the catch with his toughness and athleticism. Kanak finished the day with five receptions for 90 yards. He’s going to be a problem for opposing defensive coordinators in 2025.
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Also on offense, true freshman running back Tory Blaylock brought a little life to the running game. Prior to taking over in the backfield, the Sooners couldn’t do anything on the ground. The true freshman from Atascocita, Texas led Oklahoma in rushing with eight carries for 44 yards and a touchdown. He averaged 5.5 yards per carry and also added a couple of receptions for 18 yards. One of those catches was a 16-yard pickup on third and 14 to help Oklahoma extend a drive. He scored his first career touchdown a few plays later. Blaylock left with an apparent shoulder injury, but hopefully it won’t keep him out of action too long. He was fast, physical, and displayed the vision that had the coaching staff excited about his potential.
Defensively, there was one debut that stood out above the rest and that was true freshman cornerback Courtland Guillory. While the defense had a solid day as a whole, Guillory showed he was up to the task when covering Illinois State wide receivers in man-to-man coverage. The coaching staff raved about Guillory’s coverage ability and physicality in fall camp and it showed in Week 1. It was an exciting start to his Sooners career.
4. Defense did enough
Aug 30, 2025; Norman, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma Sooners linebacker Kip Lewis (10) reacts against the Illinois State Redbirds during the first half at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images
Sure, Illinois State picked up some yardage on the ground and averaged 4.5 yards per carry. But for the game, the Redbirds averaged just 3.3 yards per play. Oklahoma was content to play basic alignments and let their talent be enough. This wasn’t an exotic game plan.
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The only time Illinois State scored was after John Mateer’s interception put the Redbirds inside the 25-yard line and the Oklahoma defense responded with a three-and-out.
Otherwise, Illinois State was just 1 of 11 on third down.
Was it a great game? No. But it was good enough for Oklahoma to walk out with a 32-point win.
5. Pass Catching Talent Noticeable
Aug 30, 2025; Norman, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma Sooners wide receiver Deion Burks (4) scores a touchdown past Illinois State Redbirds defensive back Cam Wilson (25) during the first half at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images
John Mateer connected with nine different pass catchers on Saturday night. Six players had two receptions and three had five or more. He fed his outside wide receivers, Lewis and Deion Burks to the tune of 16 receptions on 18 targets, 207 yards receiving, and three touchdowns. Kanak was a favorite of Mateer’s as well, seeing six targets. Isaiah Sategna, working out of the slot, was targeted four times and had two receptions for 16 yards.
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True sophomore wide receiver Jacob Jordan was only targeted one time, but picked up a 27-yard reception in the first half to help set up Oklahoma’s first touchdown of the game.
The Sooners have a number of threats in the passing game, and that didn’t even include guys like Ivan Carreon, Zion Kearney, or Elijah Thomas, who made noise in training camp. Or a guy like Javonnie Gibson, who was in full uniform during pre-game warmups and is on schedule for a return.
Mateer may not throw the ball 37 times every game, but if he does, he has a bevvy of weapons to target in the passing game.
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This article originally appeared on Sooners Wire: 5 takeaways from Oklahoma Sooners win over Illinois State
