Gus Malzahn addresses facing Dillon Gabriel in Big 12

Dillon Gabriel is slated for a breakout 2023 season at Oklahoma, and one game on the docket this year, in particular, stands out apart from the rest. His former team, UCF, is headed to Norman as one of the newest members of the Big 12 Conference.

Gabriel’s former head coach at UCF, Gus Malzahn, is looking forward to the matchup as well.

“First of all, Dillon is a phenomenal player. That’s what stands out,” Malzahn told reporters during Big 12 media day. “The year I had him I wish he hadn’t got hurt. I think it would’ve turned out a little different.

“But every day in practice he would do something and you’d go, wow. He’s a phenomenal player. We’re playing against them and we’re going to have to play really, really well on defense, anytime you’re going against a great quarterback.”

During his first two years at UCF during 2019 and 2020, Gabriel threw for 7,223 yards and 61 touchdowns while completing 59.7% of his passes during that span. Prior to his injury in 2021, he went 70-for-102 passing for 818 yards and nine touchdowns through three games for Malzahn’s Knights.

After the season was through, Gabriel elected to enter the transfer portal. Originally committing to UCLA, Gabriel ended up switching his commitment hours after Caleb Williams announced he would be transferring out of the OU program, which opened the door for Gabriel to reunite with his former offensive coordinator in 2019 — Jeff Lebby.

Together at UCF, Lebby’s quarterback threw for 3,653 yards and 29 touchdowns as the Knights finished that season ranked No. 5 in the nation in total offense. This time last year — similar numbers were expected to be accrued in 2022 but that was not the case.

Instead, Oklahoma ended up winning just six games and turned in their worst season this century with Gabriel at the helm. The former UCF star finished his first season in Norman having thrown for 3,168 yards, 25 touchdowns and six interceptions to go along with a 62.7% completion percentage.

Experts are still tabbing Oklahoma as one of the better teams in the Big 12 this preseason — and Gabriel plays a significant role in those predictions. Throughout his entire team’s struggles last season, Gabriel remained a locker-room leader and with one season left in the conference, Gabriel is looking to send the Sooners to the SEC on a high note.