Dillon Gabriel reveals how it felt playing first game following clavicle injury last season

Saturday was the return to football for both Oklahoma and Dillon Gabriel. The quarterback had to wait a bit longer than his team, suffering a clavicle injury last season while at UCF. Gabriel looked like his regular, normal self against UTEP, leading the Sooners to a big win.

Heading into their Week 2 matchup, Gabriel revealed how he felt after playing in his first game after the injury. He said his absence from football didn’t feel too long and once he got hit, everything felt right again. You could tell Gabriel was happy to be back on the field.

CLICK HERE to subscribe for FREE to the On3 YouTube channel

“Shoot, it felt like I was back out there and it didn’t feel like a long time from the game,” Gabriel said. “That was good. But definitely the start of any new season — kind of that six months of not getting touched or so. Into the first drive, I got a little hit and it’s all good. It’s part of the game and something that eased me once I got in.”

Even with the injury, there has seemingly been a smooth transition for Gabriel in Norman. He has a previous working relationship with offensive coordinator Jeff Lebby and it was obvious against UTEP. Of course, there will be more important matchups during the course of the season. But one game in, one solid game from Gabriel.

Dillon Gabriel reveals favorite part of first Oklahoma start

Gabriel may have put on a practice uniform but Saturday was his first official time wearing the crimson jersey for Oklahoma. He said that was his favorite part of the win against UTEP and a day he will never forget.

“Suiting up in the Sooner uniform. I know it’s something that holds a huge responsibility on my end, I’m just super humbled to be able to do something. So it’s another opportunity just stepping back on the field was a great feeling and just overall like I said, this will be a day I never forget,” Gabriel said.

Gabriel’s favorite moment may have been putting on that Sooner uniform, but he also had a memorable game in his new threads. Gabriel threw for 233 yards and two touchdowns in his debut, while also tacking on six rushes for 20 yards on the ground and a rushing touchdown.