Oklahoma QB Dillon Gabriel Ready to 'Embrace' the 'Special' Atmosphere in the Cotton Bowl

One year after missing his first contest against Texas, Dillon Gabriel is trying to stay grounded and keep things fun ahead of the biggest contest of his career.

NORMAN — Brent Venables’ head coaching debut in the Red River Rivalry went about as poorly as one could imagine.

A reeling Oklahoma team was run out of the Cotton Bowl by Texas, as the Longhorns delivered a Big Tex-sized 49-0 shellacking.

One man, Dillon Gabriel, was left to helplessly watch his teammates on the sideline.

The OU quarterback was still in concussion protocol stemming from a hit he took against TCU, robbing him of his first experience at the Texas State Fair.

“Being sidelined, being off the field. It’s just not fun,” Gabriel said after the No. 14-ranked Sooners blasted Iowa State 50-20 on Saturday night. “I play the game because I love it. it’s something I’m passionate about. You work so hard with a group of guys, and not being able to be on the field with them, it didn’t feel the best.

“I think you learn a lot from those moments as well, both as a player and as a group.”

Oklahoma quarterback Dillon Gabriel warmed up in the Cotton Bowl last year, but wasn't cleared to play against the Texas Longhorns.  :: BRYAN TERRY / THE OKLAHOMAN-USA TODAY NETWORK

Oklahoma looks different in 2023, and so does Gabriel.

In his second season under Venables, Gabriel has completed 78 percent of his passes, throwing for 1,227 yards and 12 touchdowns with just one interception.

Not only does Gabriel look more comfortable and decisive in the pocket, but he’s had success attacking defenses vertically downfield.

Against Iowa State alone, Gabriel connected on four passes of 39 yards or more to four different receivers.

And while Venables’ defense has deservedly stolen so much of the attention in September, Gabriel’s ability to operate Jeff Lebby’s offense at a high level has played a major role in OU’s 5-0 start.

One of the lessons Gabriel learned from 2022’s 6-7 finish was to ensure he was enjoying every aspect of football, from the offseason workouts to the key moments on the practice field and in games.

As a result, his confidence and swagger has been on full display through the early stages of Big 12 play.

“I think towards the end of the year last year, I think a big thing in my head is continuing to have fun with this game,” Gabriel said. “… I think I had lost it for a little bit, but when I flipped that switch and just started having fun, it allowed me to play free, have fun, play fast and then play with a free mind. I think that’s something that goes along with this whole journey.

“That’s something I’ll continue to do, kinda put that at the forefront of my offseason going into this year. So having fun is having a big part of doing it.”

It’s not easy to have fun as the quarterback in Oklahoma’s worst season since 1998.

But Gabriel said he never shied away from the pressure.

Instead, he used his personal frustration and disappointment as fuel from January into the start of this season.

“That’s why you come here,” he said. “That’s what you want to be in… It’s one of the most passionate fan bases. It’s one of the most passionate places about this program. I think I had a clue about it, but once I got into it, it really opened my eyes to how great this place is.

“… You want to be pushed to a level that you never thought you could be at. So I love it.”

Now, Gabriel will prepare for a different kind of pressure.

The No. 3-ranked Longhorns will also ride into Dallas a perfect 5-0 with more than just the Eyes of Texas on the yearly battle.

Dillon Gabriel rushed for two touchdowns and threw for three more scores through the air against Iowa State :: NATHAN J. FISH / THE OKLAHOMAN-USA TODAY NETWORK

ESPN’s College GameDay will be on hand to promote the first meeting of unbeaten teams in the Cotton Bowl since 2011.

And while Gabriel only went through warmups a year ago, he still got a taste of what the buzz is like in one of college football’s bucket list settings.

“Exciting. It’s an atmosphere, environment you live for, dream of,” Gabriel said. “When you’re a little kid… You’re picturing a huge crowd and that atmosphere and the passion. All of it. It’s something you dream of playing in it.”

A career day for Gabriel could not only erase last year’s 49-0 embarrassment, but it would forever cement him in the history books of one of the sport’s great rivalries.

One victory would also catapult the Sooners to the forefront of the College Football Playoff discussion, something that was unimaginable as Oklahoma departed the Cheez-It Bowl in December.

Despite the massive stakes, Gabriel is hoping to stay focused on the little things — and try to have a good time while doing it.

“(I’m) taking it a week at a time,” he said. “Being present. Not taking anything for granted. I think that's huge in building on what type of team we want to be.

“… I go back to you dream about this. This is something as a kid you want to be a part of… Just being in that environment, it's special. And not a lot of people get to do it.

“So I'm gonna embrace it and have fun with it.”

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