Dillon Gabriel: Oklahoma set the tone for the season in Week 1 victory

After a frustrating 6-7 season in his first year as Oklahoma‘s quarterback, Dillon Gabriel knew he and the Sooners needed to come out and start strong in 2023. They did that and more, blowing out Arkansas State to the tune of 73-0.

After the game, Gabriel shared that he thinks the Week 1 win will set the tone for the rest of Oklahoma’s season.

“It was just setting the tone, setting the tone for the season,” Dillon Gabriel said. “What we want to accomplish and taking it one step at a time. I think that’s the most important thing.”

Naturally, Dillon Gabriel played a massive role in Oklahoma’s win over Arkansas State. He was 19 for 22 passing for 308 yards and two touchdowns. He also ran for 15 yards and a touchdown before head coach Brent Venables sent freshman Jackson Arnold into the game.

“So, I think that we set the tone but now it’s rolling into Week 2 and flipping the page and working on us,” Gabriel added.

Next week, Oklahoma will have a bigger challenge when SMU and its explosive offense make the trip to Norman. Last week, the Mustangs took care of business against Louisiana Tech and will be excited to try and get an early season, statement win for the program.

One key for Dillon Gabriel has been becoming a better leader going into the season. To explain his situation at Oklahoma, he used an interesting analogy.

“It’s kind of like when you get a girlfriend,” Gabriel explained. “For three months, you’re still learning each other. But once you get to that year, year and a half, you kind of loosen up being able to get to know them more. Likewise with our relationships off the field and on the field, just being around them more, knowing how we communicate, certain routes we like, how to throw them, routes they like to catch. I think with time, that can only benefit everyone.”

Dillon Gabriel on doing more with increased QB depth

One thing that Dillon Gabriel expects is that having more quarterback depth is going to allow for more contribution to the offense.

“In general, you can do more when you got a lot of guys being able to contribute,” Gabriel said. “But, I think that just comes together being in Year 2 and everyone knowing the system just allows you to go more in-depth in what you already know and then try some new things.”