In OU’s fourth game of the 1985 season, true freshman quarterback Jamelle Holieway replaced the injured Troy Aikman. In OU’s fifth game, Holieway got his first career start in a home game against Iowa State.
In OU’s fourth game of this 2024 season, true freshman Michael Hawkins Jr. replaced an ineffective Jackson Arnold. In OU’s fifth game, 2:30 p.m. Saturday at Auburn, Hawkins is expected to make his first start.
“Here we are 40 years later,” Holieway told The Oklahoman on Thursday.
Only six true freshmen have ever started at quarterback for the Sooners: Darrell Royal (1946), Troy Aikman (1984), Holieway (1985), Cale Gundy (1990), Caleb Williams (2021) and Jackson Arnold (2023).
On Saturday, Hawkins will become the seventh.
“He’s a baby,” Holieway said, “but he’s stepping into some man’s shoes.”
Holieway is among the few who can relate.
After taking over midgame for Aikman, who broke his ankle in OU’s loss to Miami, Holieway went 8-0 as a true freshman starter. Oklahoma beat Penn State 25-10 in the Orange Bowl, and with Miami’s loss to Tennessee in the Sugar Bowl, the Sooners were crowned national champions.
Holieway and Clemson’s Trevor Lawrence are the only true freshman quarterbacks to lead their teams to a national championship.
Holieway was the perfect conductor of OU’s option attack. Having watched OU’s languid offense this season — the Sooners rank dead last among Power Four teams in yards per play — Holieway is excited to see what a dual-threat quarterback like Hawkins can bring to the offense.
“Everybody says our line isn’t that good or they can’t do this or that,” Holieway said. “Well, that’s why he need a mobile quarterback — to make the line look a little bit better.”
In two games, Hawkins has completed 13 of 22 passes for 149 yards and a touchdown. He’s rushed for 32 yards on 14 carries.
Of course Hawkins, a four-star prospect out of Dallas, can’t carry the burden alone.
Just as it was hard to judge Arnold in a vacuum, the same goes for Hawkins, who will be playing behind a hodgepodge of an offensive line flanked by unproven receivers. Injuries have decimated both of those position groups, making life incredibly difficult for whichever quarterback is taking the snaps.
Not to mention the offense being guided by a first-year coordinator in Seth Littrell, whom Brent Venables sounded none too pleased with after the Tennessee game.
As if Hawkins needed more on his plate, he’ll be making his first career start in what will be OU’s first SEC road game. Auburn’s Jordan-Hare Stadium, where fans will be dressed in an orange-out, is no easy place to play.
The Tigers have an all-time winning percentage of .821 in September home games.
“Hopefully he’ll study and he’ll prepare really well, because then there won’t be no pressure,” Holieway said of Hawkins. “He’ll know all the test questions and answers once he gets down to Auburn and does his thing.”
Holieway at least got to ease into his first start, a home blowout against Iowa State.
Holieway remembers how he felt.
“I got the keys to the car now,” he said. “It’s a whole different attitude.”
As for how Holieway thinks Hawkins will handle himself?
“It’s gonna be fine,” Holieway said. “Once he gets hit and gets all the cobwebs out, I think the young man is gonna have a fabulous day in Oklahoma football, and we can put it down as a historical day for him.”