Oklahoma quarterback Dillon Gabriel celebrates after a touchdown against West Virginia Saturday, Nov. 11, 2023, in Norman, Okla. Gabriel and the No. 14-ranked Sooner invade LaVell Edwards Stadium Saturday for a 10 a.m. kickoff against BYU. | AP
BYU defensive coordinator Jay Hill says Oklahoma quarterback Dillon Gabriel deserves to be mentioned as a Heisman Trophy contender with the likes of Oregon’s Bo Nix, Washington’s Michael Penix Jr. and LSU’s Jayden Daniels.
After Gabriel faces the Cougars’ porous and struggling defense on Saturday at LaVell Edwards Stadium (10 a.m., ESPN), his Heisman chances could soar even higher. All the Mililani, Hawaii, native did last week against a West Virginia defense that is much better than BYU’s was account for eight touchdowns in a 59-20 romp in Norman.
“Man, I have been really impressed with him. … We are going to have to play our best (to contain him). He’s not a guy who is going to lose his composure. He is very poised. This guy, if you make a mistake, he will punish you for it.” — BYU coach Kalani Sitake on Dillon Gabriel
The redshirt senior threw for five touchdowns and rushed for three, becoming the first player in OU history and first FBS player this season to accomplish the feat.
“They have a phenomenal quarterback who is playing at a great level,” Hill said. “… I don’t know if it is fair to say (Gabriel) is the best. We have faced a lot of good quarterbacks this year. And he’s right up there with all of them.”
Gabriel’s stats in 2023 are certainly the best. He’s accounted for 36 touchdowns — eight more than the Big 12 player with the next most, Kansas State’s Will Howard. Gabriel is fourth in the country in total offense (340.6 yards per game), seventh in passing offense (306.9 ypg) and passing efficiency rating (172.1).
It’s a big…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/guy-mistake-punish-byu-slow-223000600.html
Author : Deseret News
Publish date : 2023-11-15 22:30:00
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