Dillon Gabriel identifies areas he needs to show improvement following Week 1 win
Dillon Gabriel and Oklahoma took care of business in the quarterback’s first game with the Sooners, a 45-13 victory over UTEP in the books.
The transfer quarterback was solid in his debut, passing for 233 yards and two touchdowns for Oklahoma. However, Gabriel believes he still has plenty of work to do to get to the level he wants to reach in 2022.
“Cleaning that up, taking what they give me and also just being extremely efficient,” Gabriel said, speaking on some missed opportunities during the victory. “Moving the chains, finding ways to move the chains. So those are a bunch of things you always clean up, and there’ll always be something you want to, you know, have back from the game.
“Man, good ain’t ever good enough at the quarterback position, and you’ve got to continue to clean that up.”
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While it was a great day statistically for Gabriel, the quarterback recognizes offense won’t come as easy against stiffer competition. When it comes down to it, he wants to be able to hit on every opportunity he can.
Nevertheless, Dillon Gabriel impressed in his first showing for Oklahoma, and it’ll only go up from here.
Dillon Gabriel on first start in Norman: ‘A day I’ll never forget’
Moreover, Gabriel talked about the sensations he felt in Memorial Stadium on Saturday afternoon. He said it meant so much to him to both be back playing football as well as to be a member of Oklahoma’s program.
“(It meant) a lot. I was so focused on preparation, on the game, and doing my job but, after I look back, that was just a day I’ll never forget. Just a great feeling running out with Sooner Nation, the atmosphere, the people,” said Gabriel. “For me, it really didn’t feel different other than I’m just playing with a bunch of people that I truly love. I had a great time doing it. I have a lot of fun going out there and playing football…Just a lot of fun in general. Not nervous (because) I’m extremely confident in the way I prepare. I got some adrenaline going when (we) ran out and that’s a feeling like no other.”
Even with all the production and those other emotions, Gabriel said the biggest thing about his debut this weekend was having his family there to watch. The Mililani, Hawaii native says he doesn’t get to see his loved ones often so having them in Norman was everything to him.
“It means the most to me just because I don’t really get to see them much. I love them to death. They’re truly my joy and my happiness,” said Gabriel. “It’s gonna be really good to see them after this…Knowing they’re in the stands somewhere makes me feel really good.”
Oklahoma gave Dillon Gabriel a debut to remember. From here, he wants to build on it so that it’s a season worth remembering. Even with his focus now on Kent State, Saturday’s game against the Miners is one he says he’ll always look back on and relive.
“It’s just a great feeling. I had a lot of fun today. I really will never forget this day.”