MORGANTOWN — From Baker Mayfield and Kyler Murray to Jalen Hurts, Spencer Rattler and Caleb Williams, Oklahoma has a recent tradition of deploying top-tier college quarterbacks.
A lot of that has been attributed to former Sooners coach Lincoln Riley, who joined the program in 2015 — Mayfield’s first season as a starter. Even with Riley gone to the beaches of sunny Southern California, Oklahoma (5-4, 2-4 Big 12) hasn’t lost a step at signal-caller with Central Florida transfer Dillon Gabriel stepping seamlessly into the role.
Ahead of their matchup this Saturday at Mountaineer field, WVU defensive coordinator Jordan Lesley said the Sooners’ offense has the same structure under first-year coach Brent Venables, albeit with a different look.
“The structure of the offense, the tempo, what they like to do and how they like to attack you is the same,” Lesley said. “But the personnel sets, the formations, and the structure of the plays you’re getting is a little bit different. Same philosophy with a little bit different pieces and pictures.”
Part of that carryover has been the play of Gabriel, who is second in the Big 12 in passing touchdowns (16) and efficiency (155.8) behind only TCU’s Max Duggan.
On the season, Gabriel has thrown for 2,027 yards on 64.3% accuracy with only four interceptions. He’s also run for 250 yards with four touchdowns.
Lesley said Gabriel fits right into the mold of an Oklahoma quarterback with his abilities, both throwing and running the ball.
“Going back to ‘19 with Hurts, Spencer Rattler, Caleb Williams when they were there and obviously this kid,” Lesley said. “The philosophies are the same and if you’re going to run that offense, you’re going to have to find that quarterback to make it go.”
The Sooners have underperformed to their standards this season, but the team’s two biggest losses — 55-24 vs TCU and 49-0 vs Texas — both came when Gabriel was either hurt or out.
“Is that a picture of what they are? I don’t think so,” Lesley said of those two games. “I’m not really putting a whole lot of stock into the last part of the TCU game and the Red River game. That’s two totally different football teams, and it shows on film.”
Gabriel is coming off of his worst game of the season, tossing three interceptions in a 38-35 loss to Baylor. It wasn’t all bad, however, as he still threw for 261 yards and two scores while rushing for a season-high 70 yards and another touchdown.
“He’s a dual-threat guy,” WVU coach Neal Brown said of Gabriel. “He can run, he’s got a quick release and a really strong arm.”
Gabriel and the Sooners will invade Mountaineer Field Saturday for a noon kickoff. The game will be broadcast on FS1.
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