Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback and University of Oklahoma football icon Baker Mayfield gave advice to Sooners quarterback Dillon Gabriel before the team beat Texas in a contest at Red River.
University of Oklahoma quarterback Dillon Gabriel received a simple “do whatever it takes” message from Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield before defeating No. 1 ranked Texas 3, 34-30 in this year’s Red River Rivalry on Saturday.
The 22-year-old redshirt senior quarterback played a key role in the game, passing for 285 yards on 23 of 38 attempts. However, his mobility was the deciding factor as he carried the ball 14 times for 113 yards and scored a rushing score. Despite an injury to his non-throwing hand and the pressure of an important play, Gabriel connected with wide receiver Nic Anderson for a three-yard touchdown pass with 17 seconds left, delivering the game-changing win Last minute game for Oklahoma. when they scored just 15 seconds after the match ended.
He revealed that he received encouragement from Mayfield, a Sooners legend. The Buccaneers QB advised him not to leave anything out during Saturday’s game. “Baker called me last night,” Gabriel said. “Do whatever it takes,” he told me. I know OU football. I love this place. This is college football. I love my teammates. I love my team. That’s always what I did, man. God is good.”
Mayfield’s name is etched into Oklahoma football history. He ranked second in vital statistics in the school’s record book. These include passing yards (12,292), touchdown passes (119), completions (808), attempts (1,157), 300-yard passing games (20), 400-yard passing games (4) and total offense (13,185 yards).
He also holds the record for the longest streak of consecutive passes without an interception, with 200 consecutive passes without an interception. Mayfield’s career left an indelible mark on the program’s history, leading him to be honored with a statue in the school’s Heisman Park. Reflecting on the match, Gabriel emphasized that the performance and victory epitomized OU Football and why he chose to participate. He respected Texas and its strong record, specifically praising quarterback Quinn Ewers as a formidable midfielder. He emphasized the importance of making key plays, which he thought his team accomplished.
Texas has dominated since the beginning of the season, even convincingly defeating Alabama. However, despite the weaker schedule, Oklahoma showed renewed athleticism and disrupted Ewers, forcing him into three turnovers. Although Texas had 527 yards of offense, Oklahoma showed resilience, especially on a crucial goal-line stand in the fourth quarter that kept Texas scoreless despite going first and goal on the one-line. meters.
Gabriel began his college football career at the University of Central Florida, playing for three seasons from 2019 to 2021. He took over the quarterback position from McKenzie Milton, also a native of Hawaii. During his time with the Knights, Gabriel demonstrated his skills by throwing for 8,037 yards and scoring 70 touchdowns. His time at UCF ended abruptly in the third game of the 2021 season when he broke his collarbone in the final game against Louisville. Due to injury, Gabriel transferred to Oklahoma for the next phase of his football career.