Dillon Gabriel downplays Oklahoma's winning record streak ending

When Dillon Gabriel transferred to Oklahoma, nobody thought that the Sooners would struggle to make a bowl game. However, at 6-6, the Sooners barely made the Cheez-It Bowl. When they lost to Florida State, it broke a streak of 23 seasons in a row where Oklahoma finished with a winning record.

For many, this could feel like a major turning point for the program. However, Gabriel downplayed the streak being broken.

“Not necessarily,” Gabriel explained. “I think it tested us, tested me personally. Just in life, the journey, all the work you put in with a bunch of guys with the right mindset and great attitude. Your work doesn’t necessarily come to fruition in that sense.”

Gabriel also explained that things are more about the process than the results. So, while the results weren’t what they wanted this season, it was a good process overall. That’s the most important thing to him.

“What I love about Coach BV [Brent Venables] is just the idea of attacking the process and loving that, and the results shouldn’t be the drive for your happiness for the result being what it is. It is just finding that deep joy in family and the Lord, and of course with us, because that is the only thing that sticks. When you are tested like this, if you don’t got that, you will go into dark places.

So that being said, I’m proud of this team. We were tested in many ways, but we got the right guys in this building, and we love each other and know that regardless of the result, we are together. So, that’s the main thing.”

Dillon Gabriel says he’s blessed to be at Oklahoma

When Gabriel jumped into the transfer portal to find a new home after UCF, he didn’t know where he’d end up. After briefly being committed to UCLA, he landed at Oklahoma. Now, he feels blessed to be there.

“I really had no expectations going in, other than just trusting God and the path he has for me. Just super blessed to be in this position. Learned a lot this year, about myself but also the journey of life. Ups and downs. Just grateful for the whole journey, because I truly feel I’ve gotten stronger and learned a lot in this process. Just to be standing here is a blessing,” Gabriel said.

“Grown a bunch. Just learned a lot about myself. A lot about this team. Grown in many ways, both on and off the field.”