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Heisman Trophy preseason favorite gets benched 6 games into season
By Jake Rill
Published:
Spencer Rattler entered the 2021 season as the favorite to win the Heisman Trophy. By halftime of the Red River Showdown — Oklahoma’s sixth game of the year — the redshirt sophomore quarterback was on the Sooners’ sideline.
During Saturday’s game against Texas at the Cotton Bowl, Rattler was benched in the second quarter and replaced by true freshman Caleb Williams. Rattler was 8-for-15 for 111 yards and an interception at the time he was pulled, as the Sooners trailed the Longhorns, 38-20, at the half.
Rattler has had a bit of a tough start to the year, as he passed for 1,260 yards, 10 touchdowns and 4 interceptions during Oklahoma’s 5-0 start. He was expected to be among the top players in the nation, but he hasn’t quite lived up to that hype.
The Sooners needed to try to get something going, considering they’ve been struggling to contain the Longhorns. Williams led Oklahoma to a field goal on his first drive, although he also had a 66-yard rushing touchdown earlier in the game when he made a brief appearance.
Now, Williams might get a larger opportunity to lead the Sooners’ offense. And if he impresses, perhaps he claims the starting job and Rattler will move to a backup role.
Jake Rill contributes to news coverage for Saturday Down South. He has covered the SEC since 2016.
