NORMAN — Spencer Rattler was surprised to find himself standing next to Lincoln Riley on the sidelines instead of running OU’s offense in the second quarter against Texas on Oct. 10.
Rattler had been mostly fantastic through his first three games as a starter, but in the first half against the Longhorns, his biggest deficiency shone bright and clear.
While Rattler made jaw-dropping throws, he also had a propensity for head-scratching turnovers.
In losses to Kansas State and Iowa State and the first half against Texas, Rattler completed 70 percent of his passes but threw five interceptions, plus a lost fumble — which could’ve been scored as an interception just as easily — that directly led to his benching against the Longhorns.