‘Eight goes for eight’: Dillon Gabriel’s flashes of Heisman legends and a fighter’s chance at a Big 12 championship

NORMAN – Dillon Gabriel isn’t ready to bid “aloha” to Oklahoma’s title conversation.

The Sooners’ last-gasp race toward a Big 12 championship game appearance still neaeds help, but winning each contest in front of them is of utmost importance.

And Gabriel led that charge in a 59-20 win over West Virginia on Saturday night.

The senior quarterback accounted for a school-record eight touchdowns (five passing, three rushing) in one of the most impressive performances inside Memorial Stadium.

It was the type of game that brought back memories of recent quarterbacks like Baker Mayfield, Kyler Murray and Jalen Hurts.

While unfair to compare Gabriel to Heisman Trophy legends, he did prove the competitive moxie needed to pull OU from a two-game losing streak and gain much-needed momentum entering the final two contests.

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“I couldn’t be happier for him. Eight goes for eight,” Drake Stoops said, referring to Gabriel’s jersey number. “It’s just a testament to his hard work and preparation every week.”

The Memorial Stadium press box elevator door opened multiple times during the game.

Some wouldn’t blame OU offensive coordinator Jeff Lebby if he came downstairs from the coaches’ box for an evaluation of his playcalling.

Lebby has been scrutinized for his offense following back-to-back losses against Kansas and Oklahoma State. Everything sparkled – especially early – from his playbook.

“We got into a great rhythm early. The coaches put together a great plan. The players went out and executed,” Venables said.

OU (8-2 overall, 5-2 Big 12) scored on its first five possessions to seize control of the contest.

The Mountaineers (6-4, 4-3) made things look easy after scoring on the game’s opening drive. But by the time the visitors would get another first down midway through the second quarter, the Sooners had scored 31 consecutive points.

If it was a boxing match, a TKO would have been contemplated because of the rapid scoring.

The victory – combined with Kansas’ upset loss to Texas Tech earlier in the day – keeps the Sooners’ hopes for a Big 12 championship game appearance alive with two weeks remaining on the schedule.

To make any championship run, OU has to win out and did a great job of laying the foundation.

The offense found itself with the heavy lifting from Gabriel and Stoops.

Gabriel had seven touchdowns (five passing, three rushing) and 473 yards of total offense.

Stoops finished with a career-high 164 receiving yards and a pair of touchdowns. He topped his previous high of 134 yards, which came last week at Oklahoma State.

“Just outstanding,” Venables said. “I think that’s the most receiving yards we’ve had in four years … he’s just a fantastic football player. And I think that’s a credit to the work Drake has put into his career.”

Gavin Sawchuk rushed for 135 yards, including three runs that were at least 24 yards.

“That’s a couple of weeks in a row when he’s had a really good night. He’s getting in a good rhythm, running through trash and showing his speed,” Venables said. “He’s playing real confident right now and it’s good to have that.”

Danny Stutsman returned to the starting lineup after missing last week’s Bedlam contest. He finished with a team-high eight tackles.

“It’s good. No matter what the coach says or how good the redshirt freshman does in his place, with Danny there’s a real emotional lift when he’s out there – the toughness – he loves to play, he loves his teammates and loves to compete,” Venables said.

OU led 31-14 at halftime.

The Sooners will play at BYU next Saturday in the next-to-last regular-season game.

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