Oklahoma trades QB for Michael Hawkins Jr., coach Brent Venables announces (Video)

After a 25-15 home loss to Tennessee, Oklahoma makes a quarterback change.

Head coach Brett Venables announced Monday that freshman Michael Hawkins Jr. will start the Sooners’ SEC road opener at Auburn. Hawkins gets the team’s nod over sophomore Jackson Arnold, a five-star recruit.

Arnold passed for 54 yards and an interception, completing 7 of 16 passes against Tennessee. He committed three turnovers, losing two fumbles, against the Volunteers. Oklahoma benched Arnold just before halftime, with Hawkins taking over on the Sooners’ final series of the first half.

Venables decided to make the change because of the turnovers, according to ESPN’s Holly Rowe (via On3).

“He said it was turnovers, but also things had to happen on time in our offense. We have timing plays, things that have to happen that just didn’t happen on time. He also said turnover margin was a big factor. They’re up by one against Tennessee. That’s unusual for OU.”

Hawkins threw for 132 yards and a touchdown on 11-of-18 completions. He also ran for 22 yards on 11 carries. After the game, Venables said there would be a quarterback battle in the week leading up to Saturday. But his comments seemed to indicate he was leaning toward Hawkins.

“He’s a tremendous athlete,” Venables said of Hawkins, via Colton Sulley of The Oklahoman. “There were a couple of times where we put pressure on the edges that we didn’t block and he got outside. So he’s got some playmaking ability and he can hurt you with his legs.”

After presumably reviewing the film, Oklahoma coaches apparently decided to make the change now and give Hawkins a full week of reps with the first-team offense.

In Oklahoma’s first four games, Arnold has completed 60 percent (61 of 102) of his passes for 538 yards, seven touchdowns and three interceptions.

Falling to No. 21 in this week’s AP poll, Oklahoma (3-1) faces Auburn (2-2) at Jordan-Hare Stadium. Kickoff is at 3:30 p.m. ET and the game will be televised on ABC.