Surrounded by Family, Dillon Gabriel Cherished his Oklahoma Debut

NORMAN — Brent Venables wasn’t the one particular person on Oklahoma’s sideline who made a extremely anticipated debut on Saturday.

Quarterback Dillon Gabriel made his first begin for the Crimson and Cream, placing in a snug and environment friendly efficiency to assist energy the No. 9-ranked Sooners previous the UTEP Miners 45-13 at Gaylord Household-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium.

It was the end result of a protracted street again for Gabriel, who misplaced most of his 2021 season at UCF as a consequence of harm.

Upon Gabriel’s arrival, there wasn’t a drawn out quarterback battle.

Offensive coordinator Jeff Lebby named his former UCF quarterback the OU starter final February, that means Sept. 3 has been circled on Gabriel’s calendar for a very long time.

A seasoned veteran, Gabriel made his twenty seventh profession begin on Saturday, permitting him to take a step again and soak within the second of taking his first dwell snap on Owen Area.

“Popping out of that tunnel,” Gabriel stated after the sport, “you possibly can’t actually see a lot from the again and also you’re simply going by it. It’s only a nice feeling and I had a whole lot of enjoyable. I actually will always remember today for positive.”

From there, Gabriel relied on his preparation to command the offense.

The Hawaii native completed the day finishing 15-of-23 passes, throwing for 233 yards and two touchdowns whereas including one other rating on the bottom.

Although Gabriel wasn’t good, his offensive coordinator was happy with how he dealt with the second.

“He missed a few issues,” Lebby stated after the sport. “He performed his butt off, and we did some actually good issues, undoubtedly missed some issues we’re going to need again. However that’s the character of place. On the finish of the day, man, we’re going to be aggressive.

“We began quick. Did some good issues and received a ton of labor to do and a ton of issues to wash up, however glad with Dillon’s efficiency and the place we’re at.”

Gabriel wasted no time constructing a bond with veteran tight finish Brayden Willis, too.

He discovered Willis for each of his landing passes, exuding the calm demeanor he’s already turn into identified for contained in the OU locker room.

“I believed (Gabriel) was nice,” Willis stated. “I believed he was calm, cool and picked up. I believed he dealt with every thing nicely. He managed the offense very well. He’s the kind of man you at all times wish to play with, rally round. I believed he did an incredible job and a good way to set the tone for the season.

“ … Standard man. Doesn’t change, man, and that’s what we love about him. Constant as constant is. Nice chief, nice presence. Blissful to play with him.”

However much more vital to Gabriel than the victory and the environment friendly stat line was the time he received to spend with these he holds closest over the weekend.

Gabriel stated he had over a dozen members of the family in Norman to look at his first begin for the Sooners, one thing he’ll cherish for a very long time.

“Big day,” he stated. “I’ve a bunch of household right here. So it felt actually good to have them there they usually all gave me every a lei.

“ … Meaning essentially the most to me. Simply because I do not actually get to see them a lot and I like them to demise. They’re actually my pleasure and my happiness. So it is gonna be actually good to see them after this. I have not seen them but. However understanding they’re within the stands someplace makes me really feel actually good.”

Oklahoma will now flip its focus to internet hosting Kent State (0-1) this weekend, and whereas the crew has lofty targets for the season, Gabriel stated he’ll at all times bear in mind the sensation of taking the sector in Norman for the primary time.

“I believe I used to be so targeted on preparation and on the sport and doing my job,” he stated. “However, , after I seemed again, man … that was only a day I am going to always remember and only a nice feeling operating out with Sooner Nation being on the market.

“ … Suiting up within the Sooner uniform. I do know it is one thing that holds an enormous accountability on my finish. I am simply tremendous humbled to have the ability to accomplish that. It is one other alternative. Simply stepping again on the sector was an incredible feeling and general, like I stated, it is a day I’ll always remember.”

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