Brent Venables says loss is 'incredibly disappointing'

After their worst loss of the season to heated rival Texas in the Red River showdown, Oklahoma head coach Brent Venables had to face the media and attempt to explain where things went south for his Sooners. When asked whether he was shocked by the game’s outcome, Venables rebuked the notion and instead highlighted that the loss was ‘incredibly disappointing.’

“Shocked? I don’t know about shock. I think you hit it on the head; when you’re a competitor and used to success, whether it’s this game or any game, there’s a standard of performance that you’re fighting and competing for every single day,” said Venables. “And so, when you come up short, as a coach or as a team, it’s incredibly disappointing.

“Shocked? Nothing shocks me. This game will punish you when you don’t do all kinds of different things; whether it’s coaching or playing. Again, I think our guys have busted their butts since fall camp, and I’m looking at everything—a group of guys that has been incredibly committed to what we asked them to do. And maybe one of those factors is we need to be fresher.”

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Saturday’s 49-0 loss to the Longhorns was arguably the Sooners’ worst loss in recent memory. It was also the worst loss they suffered at the hands of Texas. But the Sooners’ offense found itself a bit handicapped as starting quarterback Dillon Gabriel was ruled out prior to the game as he was still in concussion protocol. And his absence was felt as Oklahoma’s offense was far off from its usual excellence. The Sooners had just 195 yards of total offense and were a brutal 3-15 on third-down conversions.

Venables updates Dillon Gabriel’s status, timetable for decision

Oklahoma did not have starting quarterback Dillon Gabriel’s services during the washout they suffered vs. Texas due to a concussion. Boy, did they miss him badly. The Sooner offense averaged 37 points a game through five contests with Gabriel at the helm. But Texas shut them out completely last Saturday en route to the 49-0 win.

Safe to say the Sooners absolutely need to get Gabriel back on the field to salvage what’s left of Brent Venables’ first season in charge. However, with head injuries, caution takes the cake. So while a speedy recovery would be ideal for the football team, the OU medical staff won’t rush Gabriel back onto the field if they don’t feel he’s ready.

At Venables’ press conference this week, one reporter noted that Gabriel said he was still in concussion protocol. Then asked if that would be back this week. And if he was, would staying in protocol “hinder” his preparation throughout the week? Here was the answer from Brent Venables:

“I mean, I don’t know if it hinders his preparation. Don’t know what the concussion protocol — I think they continue to evaluate him every day. I don’t get into the deep weeds. I just wanna major in the minors. Tell me what he can do, what he can’t do. He’s full go at practice. I think, just continue to, whatever those tests are, they do those to make sure that they’re on the right side of it. And if he continues to stay out of harm’s way in regards to that protocol, I would expect him to play.”