With an extra week to prepare for top-ranked Texas, OU is looking to make strides offensively behind Michael Hawkins Jr. after a sluggish start.

Michael Hawkins Jr. became the first Oklahoma Sooners true freshman quarterback to win on the road in his first career start.

However, three first half turnovers from Arnold in week four forced head coach Brent Venables to pull his starter and insert freshman Michael Hawkins Jr. into the game. The youngster settled in against the Volunteers and moved the ball in the late stages of the game, earning his first career start against Auburn the following week.

Brent Venables met with reporters in Norman on Tuesday afternoon in advance of this weekend’s Red River Rivalry matchup against Texas. Venables was asked about how he plans to prepare true freshman quarterback Michael Hawkins Jr.

The Texas Longhorns have had a whole year to think about what went wrong in the 34-30 defeat to the Oklahoma Sooners in last year's Red River Showdown. Heading

Texas coach Steve Sarkisian prepares for Oklahoma's freshman quarterback Michael Hawkins, focusing on confusing him and defending his mobility.

Why did Oklahoma freshman quarterback Michael Hawkins Jr., in his first career start — and in the Sooners’ first road game as a Southeastern Conference

When Oklahoma Sooners quarterback Michael Hawkins Jr. takes his first snap against the Texas Longhorns on Saturday, he will officially make history. Despite these two teams meeting for what will be the 120th game in the series,