How the Texas game served to ‘unleash’ the rushing ability of Dillon Gabriel

Oklahoma quarterback Dillon Gabriel came through time and time again in Saturday’s 34-30 victory against Texas. That included when it mattered most, as he led the Sooners 75 yards down the field in just six plays to throw the game-winning touchdown to Nic Anderson with 15 seconds remaining.

Gabriel finished the afternoon 23-of-38 passing for 285 yards and one touchdown. But it was what he did on the ground that was perhaps the most important way he impacted the game, as it opened up a new element for the offense. The QB carried the ball 14 times — more than he has all season — to finish with a team-best 113 yards.

He opened the game with a 10-yard touchdown run to cap off Oklahoma’s first drive, and SoonerScoop‘s George Stoia III believes we’ll see Gabriel using his legs plenty more this season.

“They were 6-for-6 in the red zone on Saturday and a large part of that was Dillon being able to make some plays with his legs,” Stoia told On3‘s Andy Staples. “You even think back to the first touchdown — I think they ran maybe five QB draws. The first one of the game goes for a 10-yard touchdown. Dillon was really effective in that area and even getting out of the pocket and making some throws down the field. I think it’s something that we’re gonna continue to see moving forward with Dillon.”

Saturday’s 113 yards were a career-high for Gabriel. His longest run of the day came was a 44-yarder in the fourth quarter.

Oklahoma used him some in the running game last season as he ended the year with 315 yards rushing and six touchdowns. However, Stoia explained the Sooners may have had some hesitations about putting him in a position to be hit due to a lack of depth behind him.

This year OU has five-star freshman Jackson Arnold ready to come in if there were to be an injury, so may feel more comfortable letting Gabriel take off. Offensive coordinator Jeff Lebby waited until the Texas game to “unleash” that wrinkle, and now that the secret’s out he can continue to make use of it.

“Dillon’s a guy that, he was recruited originally by Army,” Stoia said. “He was supposed to be an option quarterback coming out of high school. So this is a guy that can definitely run. Is he gonna beat you in an 80-yard dash down the field? Probably not, but he is a guy that can accelerate. He sees the field really well in terms of things opening up and when to take off.

“It feels like they kind of waited until the Texas game to unleash that. It was almost like it was a whole part of the game plan coming in. They did some other stuff too. Some direct snaps to Jalil Farooq, who’s been a big-time playmaker for them. Jeff Lebby really unleashed the clip on Saturday and kind of pulled everything out of his bag. I thought he called a really, really good game and he had a great game plan in terms of letting Gabriel use his legs.”

Last year’s 315 yards were the most Gabriel has ever had in his career, but he needs just 108 more this season to surpass that. Additionally, he will set a career-high in rushing touchdowns if he scores two more.

That seems like a safe bet with six regular season games to go. Dillon Gabriel will have the chance to continue to show off his rushing ability when Oklahoma takes on his former team, UCF, in Week 8.

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