Brent Venables talks about importance of poise for Dillon Gabriel, Quinn Ewers in Red River Showdown

Oklahoma head coach Brent Venables is well aware that there are several factors that will determine the winner of the Oklahoma vs. Texas Red River Showdown on Saturday. With that said, the game could come down to which quarterback plays better.

OU quarterback Dillon Gabriel and Texas signal caller Quinn Ewers have both been excellent so far this season, and they will need to continue to be on Saturday. Venables spoke recently about how important it is for the two QBs to play with poise this weekend.

“Both of them have been playing the position for a long, long time. And Quinn, certainly, playing at Southlake [High] there in Dallas, and then going to Ohio State and Texas – he’s in as big an arena as you can be in, both in high school and college,” Brent Venables said. “But both of them are incredibly well equipped to have the right poise. It is an important quality trait to have in all situations. And this week will be no different.”

A part of remaining poised is not trying to do too much, according to Venables. The second-year head coach said that both quarterbacks need to trust the talent around them.

He’s obviously hoping Dillon Gabriel will do that come Saturday.

“Don’t try to force the issue. Let the game come to you. But all successful quarterbacks will be the first ones to tell you they’re successful because they’re surrounded by pretty good parts – whether that’s a good line, a good running game, quality receivers that can get open, that can block in the run game, a defense that will compliment them and not put them in tough positions,” Venables said. “But poise is incredibly important at that position, without question. Everybody looks to that person from a leadership standpoint and a focus standpoint. Sometimes emotionally, as well.”

Through the first five games of the season, Gabriel has passed for 1,593 yards and 15 touchdowns, with only two interceptions. He’s also rushed for four scores.

Quinn Ewers has been excellent, too, with 1,358 yards and 10 touchdowns, to only one interception. He has rushed for five scores through five games.

“Both of those quarterbacks have special qualities. But I would be negligent if I didn’t say part of that key is just trusting the team around you,” Venables said.

“Don’t try to, ‘Oh, this week I’ve got to put on my superman cape.’ That’s not the case, but you’ve got to play well. You can’t go around and fart around and make bad decisions and not have great ball security and not execute within the system.”