All Sooners

Gabriel, Stoops and Sawchuk Dazzle in Oklahoma's Offensive Onslaught vs. TCU

The Sooners got huge contributions from their quarterback, top receiver and top running back in their 69-45 win over the TCU Horned Frogs on Saturday.

Ryan Chapman

In this story:

NORMAN — Oklahoma’s offense left nothing in the chamber.

The No. 13-ranked Sooners closed the regular season in style, thrashing TCU 69-45 in the program’s final Big 12 game ever on Owen Field on Friday.

OU (10-2, 7-2 Big 12) totaled 607 yards of offense, averaging 7.7 yards per play.

Despite his availability coming into question most of the week, Oklahoma quarterback Dillon Gabriel was cleared to play on Thursday, and starred on Senior Day.

Gabriel completed 24-of-38 passes for 400 yards, three touchdowns and an interception, adding 36 rushing yards and a score on the ground.

In potentially his final performance at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium, Gabriel now ranks seventh in FBS history with 14,865 passing yards, passing Luke Falk, Baker Mayfield and Kellen Moore.

He also passed Landry Jones on the all-time passing touchdown list (Gabriel now sits eighth), and he moved into fourth place in FBS history with 152 total career touchdowns.

Offensive coordinator Jeff Lebby let Gabriel take to the skies early.

He hit Nic Anderson for a 50-yard completion on OU’s first offensive snap of the game, and hit Jayden Gibson for a 59-yard score and Brenen Thompson for a 53-yard touchdown before halftime.

“The plan was to be aggressive today,” Lebby said after the win. “We wanted to be. We really liked our matchups on the perimeter, and I think as much as anything, we loved how we had an opportunity to protect Dillon and let him sit in there and give us a chance to pitch and catch. Proud of our guys from making those plays down the field.”

Gabriel, who barely practiced all week, took plenty of mental reps and stayed locked into the game plan in case he got cleared to take the field.

“It was tough. There were some things that I had to work through,” Gabriel said. “I just had to have ultimate trust in knowing myself and I felt really confident about it. I just let the training staff… they are kick ass and put me in a good spot to play today.”

The early deep shots opened up the middle of the field, allowing Drake Stoops to feast.

And Stoops made the most of his Senior Day.

He led the team with 12 catches for 125 yards and a hard-fought score.

Though his most impressive play actually came one snap before he found the end zone, setting up his own touchdown.

Gabriel, who had plenty of time in the pocket all day, worked his way from right to left across his progressions.

As he has so many times this year, Gabriel saw Stoops near the sideline, and gave his receiver a chance.

Stoops cooly controlled his body, barely tapping his toes inbounds for a 17-yard completion which withstood a review.

The grab was a highlight Gabriel said he’d remember for a long time to come.

“Super special. Drake is — Drake's my best friend,” Gabriel said. “I told him awhile ago, that dude's going to be in my wedding. My best friend and someone that, I've said before, we connect really well. We've got the same sense of humor, we're very competitive.

“He's a guy that at practice, I miss a throw, he'll be quick to let me hear it. But shoot, I wouldn't want to hear it from anyone else so I'm grateful for him and just everything he represents. He's a true OU boy.”

Oklahoma had such great success through the air, it only needed to call upon running back Gavin Sawchuk for one carry in the first quarter.

But once he got going on the ground, TCU struggled to slow down the dynamic back.

With Sooner legend Adrian Peterson looking on from the sideline, Sawchuk carried the ball 22 times for 130 yards, his fourth-straight 100-yard rushing performance, and he scored three touchdowns.

While Oklahoma moved up and down the field through the air early, Sawchuk was unbothered. He knew his time would come on Friday, and he instead chose to celebrate his teammates’ success while he waited for his number to get called.

“Watching the receivers, they made big plays down the field catching the ball,” Sawchuk said. “I can't complain. I'm happy for them. They were scoring touchdowns, so I'm happy for that. It was a little strange. But yeah, I'm happy for them.”

Sawchuk’s three touchdown day was the first from an Oklahoma running back since Kennedy Brooks crossed the goal line three times against Oregon in the 2021 Alamo Bowl.

“Gavin, we're giving him more touches. He's running the ball, like, insane,” right guard McKade Mettauer said after the win. “And the O-line, Coach V said today, the thing about us is we got better every week from week five.

“… So we finished good and as an offensive line, we got better and better no matter who was in there.”

Regardless of when the Sooners take the field next, whether it be in the Big 12 title game next weekend or in a bowl game, Oklahoma will have an offense firing on all cylinders to rely on.

“The offense, I think the only team in the country that’s scored at least 59 points four games this season,” OU coach Brent Venables said. “What they’ve been able to do is special and uncommon. Just want to recognize that achievement and still stay hungry and motivated for whatever comes next. Really thankful for our guys, their response.”

Published
Ryan Chapman
RYAN CHAPMAN

Ryan is deputy editor at AllSooners and covers a number of sports in and around Norman and Oklahoma City. Working both as a journalist and a sports talk radio host, Ryan has covered the Oklahoma Sooners, the Oklahoma City Thunder, the United States Men’s National Soccer Team, the Oklahoma City Energy and more. Since 2019, Ryan has simultaneously pursued a career as both a writer and a sports talk radio host, working for the Flagship for Oklahoma sports, 107.7 The Franchise, as well as AllSooners.com. Ryan serves as a contributor to The Franchise’s website, TheFranchiseOK.com, which was recognized as having the “Best Website” in 2022 by the Oklahoma Association of Broadcasters. Ryan holds an associate’s degree in Journalism from Oklahoma City Community College in Oklahoma City, OK. 

Home/Football