Spencer Rattler's Benching 'Had a Lot to Do with Turnovers,' Oklahoma's Riley Says

After Saturday's thrilling comeback victory against Texas, Oklahoma head football coach Lincoln Riley explained the decision to bench starting quarterback Spencer Rattler in favor of true freshman Caleb Williams during the second quarter.

Riley told reporters the move "really had a lot to do with turnovers" after Rattler threw an interception in the first quarter and lost a fumble in the second quarter.

The decision paid dividends, as Williams entered the game with the Sooners trailing by 18 points and led them to a 55-48 come-from-behind victory to remain undefeated.

Riley added that despite Williams' strong play, he isn't yet ready to name a starter for next week's game against TCU.

Prior to Williams taking over for Rattler, the Oklahoma offense was struggling to get going. In addition to the turnovers, Rattler was just 9-of-16 for 112 yards with no touchdowns, although he did run for a score.

Williams provided a spark before even replacing Rattler, as Riley used him on a 4th-and-1 play that saw him rush for a 66-yard touchdown:

Once he was inserted into the game for good, Williams looked poised and comfortable, going 16-of-25 for 212 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions. He also rushed for 88 yards and the aforementioned score on four carries.

Riley did choose to briefly put Rattler back in the game for the two-point attempt after Williams threw a touchdown pass to Marvin Mims in the fourth quarter to get the Sooners within two.

Rattler successfully converted the try with a throw to Drake Stoops, and Riley gave him credit after the game.

Also, despite Williams' excellent play, Riley said he thought about putting Rattler back in for the final drive of the game: "I thought a lot about it. I have a lot of confidence in both guys. I basically went with what I felt."

Riley stuck with Williams after Texas tied it 48-48 with 1:23 remaining, though, and he drove the Sooners down the field and set up running back Kennedy Brooks' game-winning touchdown run with one second left.

Rattler led Oklahoma to a 5-0 record to open the season and had solid production, completing 76.3 percent of his passes for 1,260 yards and 10 touchdowns with four interceptions to go along with 95 yards and two scores on the ground.

Even so, Oklahoma fans called for Williams in previous games, as four of the Sooners' first five wins were by only one score despite facing no ranked opponents.

Williams unquestionably gave the Oklahoma offense a much-needed shot in the arm, and that fact alone should make Riley consider going with the freshman over a quarterback who entered the season as a Heisman Trophy hopeful.