NORMAN — Seven video games into his Oklahoma profession, Dillon Gabriel is already enjoying an important function as one of many workforce’s most necessary leaders.
Immediately acclimating to a workforce as a switch will be tough, nevertheless it’s one thing Gabriel navigated masterfully this offseason.
After working underneath offensive coordinator Jeff Lebby at UCF, Gabriel served as one other arm of the teaching workers on the sector to assist implement the brand new offensive system.
He took issues a step additional by organizing totally different retreats for the remainder of the offense all through the summer time, gaining the belief of his new teammates.
In his return to motion, Oklahoma quarterback Dillon Gabriel accomplished 29-of-42 passes for 403 yards and two touchdowns, throwing one interception and dashing for 37 yards towards the Kansas Jayhawks
Kevin Jairaj / USA TODAY Sports
“He’s a guy that came in and from the jump it feels like he’s been here for years,” tight finish Brayden Willis mentioned of Gabriel after OU’s win over Kansas final Saturday. “A guy like that that’s done a lot for us in the offseason and team building, routes, all the stuff that goes on outside of the cameras that nobody sees.”
So understandably when Gabriel went down with an damage towards TCU, the offense appeared shellshocked.
Running backs Eric Gray and Jovantae Barnes moved the ball into the top zone within the three performs after Gabriel exited the sport, however then the Sooners (4-3) mustered simply seven factors over the next six quarters of soccer.
Oklahoma’s embarrassing loss to the Longhorns might have been a deadly blow to Brent Venables’ inaugural season as the pinnacle coach in Norman.
Sitting at 3-3 after getting shut out within the Cotton Bowl, merely making a bowl sport was the brand new focus for the Sooners.
But as Gabriel cleared out of concussion protocol, he introduced a distinct power within the week of apply main into the Kansas contest. The veteran’s presence helped maintain the workforce collectively and dealing towards Lebby’s imaginative and prescient for simply how environment friendly the offense might function.
“He’s always the guy that brings the juice,” Willis mentioned. “One of the biggest things is we’re in film meeting this week and we’re all kind of spread out, and he brings everybody up to the first two rows and he’s like, ‘Let’s get in tight.’ That’s the stuff we need.
“That’s the sign of a leader and that’s the sign of a great quarterback. He’s done that all year long and he’s going to continue to do that and just lead us to getting back on the right path.”
Gabriel’s request might have appeared trivial within the second, however his consideration to such minute particulars ensures the workforce stays purchased in and dealing collectively within the midst of a making an attempt stretch.
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“It’s such a little thing,” Gabriel mentioned. “But when guys are spread out and sitting far back and there’s kind of seats in between, I like to fill it up. You know what I mean? Make sure we’re all close.
“Like I said, it’s so little. But it’s also a big thing. Making sure we’re all committed. Whatever people say, let’s go do it. Whatever it is. It’s funny looking back at that because we were just joking around having a bunch of fun. But little things truly do matter.”
Even when Gabriel was nonetheless in concussion protocol, he was doing every part he might to elevate spirits and stay part of the method at apply.
“He was always there, even when we were practicing Texas week and stuff like that,” huge receiver Marvin Mims mentioned. “He’s always in guys ears and just being the guy he is.”
Finally cleared for motion this previous weekend, Gabriel wasted no time reacquainting himself with the offense.
The Sooners put 52 factors on the board, totaling 701 yards of offense towards the a lot improved Jayhawks.
Gabriel orchestrated an image excellent opening drive, and the OU offense discovered the top zone on the opening drive of the sport for the primary time because the season opener towards UTEP.
With speak of a dropping streak within the rearview mirror and Oklahoma within the ascendency for the primary time since its journey to Lincoln, the Sooners have to take advantage of their bye week to maintain the momentum rolling towards Iowa State on Oct. 29.
“A win feels good. And I’ll never take that for granted,” Gabriel mentioned. “But like I said it’s good for our team and something that we needed because of how — you see it week to week how hard everyone works and when you don’t reap the benefits, sometimes it’s tough.
“You got to continue to trust the process and continue to work just as hard and know that at some point when you keep digging the gold will come.”
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