Mason Young

Tulsa World OU Sports Reporter

NORMAN — No. 5 Oklahoma will start Michael Hawkins Jr. at quarterback when it faces Kent State on Saturday.

Hawkins takes the reins of the offense while Heisman Trophy contender John Mateer is recovering from thumb surgery.

Hawkins started four games for OU as a true freshman last year, and the results were a mixed bag. But he and everyone around him in the Sooners’ locker room expects a different version of Hawkins this time around.

“He’s in a much different place than where he was a year ago, just as far as his mental capacity as a true freshman,” head coach Brent Venables reaffirmed about Hawkins at his Tuesday press conference. “A lot of growth happens for all players going to year one to year two. He’s put a lot of work in, as I said, I

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