What a difference a week makes.
Or, what a difference having a quarterback makes.
Both were at play as the Sooners ended a three-game losing streak and on the heels of an embarrassing loss in the Red River Rivalry, defeated Kansas at home 52-42 under the reins of QB Dillon Gabriel, returning to duty from an injury.
“Dillon makes a big difference,” Oklahoma coach Brent Venables said. “As we saw today, having missed him for the last seven quarters, he makes a big difference in the flow of your whole team. Not just the offense.”
Gabriel finished 29-for-42 with 403 yards and three total touchdowns and led the Sooners (4-3, 1-3 Big 12) to the win over the No. 19-ranked Jayhawks.
OU compiled 701 total yards of offense compared to just 195 total and 39 through the air against Texas.
Gabriel said he trusted the Oklahoma medical staff’s decision to play it safe and hold him out of the Texas game.
“We felt like I had a chance (to come back during) Texas week,” Gabriel said. “Just been really trusting the doctors and trainers. They were trying to get me back as fast as possible but also protect me at the same time so I was just trusting them.
“And then throughout the week, I had a bunch of conversations and a bunch of concussion tests and then a meeting with the doctor two to three times a week. Thankfully, I got full clearance this week and it felt really good to be back out there.”
Offensive coordinator Jeff Lebby used the Wildcat formation when needed, but more opened up the passing game, including starting the contest with three straight passes. OU recorded its most total yards in a conference game since it put up 702 on Oklahoma State in 2018.
The Sooners ground offense was also rolling. Running back Eric Gray carried 20 times for 176 yards and two touchdowns while freshman Jovantae Barnes rushed 21 times for 69 yards and two scores.
One of those turnovers was the highlight-reel interception Wyoming transfer cornerback C.J. Coldon tipped and secured with one hand while laying on the ground.
Fifth-year senior linebacker DaShaun White recorded his first career interception in the third quarter after batting a pass down on the previous play.
“That was a fantastic individual play and will be on a lot of highlight reels,” defensive coordinator Ted Roof said.
“But, anytime you get takeaways, they’re big. And we’ve got a couple today. We were in position to get a couple other ones and didn’t, so we need to get more.”
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