CHEEZ-IT BOWL: OKLAHOMA VS FLORIDA STATE

December 26, 2022

Dillon Gabriel

Camping World Stadium

Oklahoma Sooners

Press Conference

Q. Dillon, welcome back, when you guys heard you were coming to Orlando for the bowl game, what was your reaction?

DILLON GABRIEL: First off, super excited for the opportunity, but then also obviously spending time here, just, seeing a lot of people that I was here with, which was really fun. Then, obviously just another opportunity for us to play in a bowl game -- in a bowl game like this. It's going to be really fun.

Q. Could you talk about the season you guys had and how you guys doing right now going into the postseason?

DILLON GABRIEL: Good. Just a good amount of time to kind of regroup. Get some practice in for the young guys and then get the bodies healthy, which is really good for us, but for the most part, just a good break for us to get back and then prepare for FSU.

Q. What are the emotions of being back here, being back in Orlando and what are the feelings it brings back to you?

DILLON GABRIEL: A lot of good memories, for one. Then, also just some good weather here in Florida, so that is a good time. Just excited for the opportunity and to play in the Cheez-It Bowl against a good FSU team, we are all excited to be here.

Q. What do you know about Florida State and their defense and what you will be going up against on Thursday?

DILLON GABRIEL: [They are] really talented. A lot of good players, and they play very well. Pretty familiar with my guy, Tatum [Bethune], so good to see him again. Like I said, a lot of talented guys, and they played really well this whole season.

Q. Did you pay more attention to them when McKenzie Milton was there and have you talked to him much about this matchup?

DILLON GABRIEL: Yeah, I have, of course, watched FSU and his time there. Pretty familiar with that. Year-to-year personnel change and likewise, scheme. Just watching this year and familiar with his time, and the things that he kind of went through.

Q. I know you don't face him face-to-face, but what kind of scouting report can you give of FSU quarterback Jordan Travis?

DILLON GABRIEL: Yeah, definitely know of him. He is very talented and he has played well this season, as well. That is why in this stretch they have been really good. I think he has dealt with his so-called injuries, too, during his time out. I would say, a little time away when they struggled, but when he came back, he played his butt off. So, he is definitely the guy on their team and everything runs through him.

Q. I know you have the injury, but I'm wondering how this year went for you, if it was what you had hoped for, the whole experience of transferring and being in Oklahoma and how it was for you compared to your expectations.

DILLON GABRIEL: Yeah, 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 and learned a lot this year about myself, but also the journey of life and the ups and downs. Just grateful for the whole journey, because I actually feel I have gotten stronger and learned a lot through this process and just to be standing here is a blessing.

Q. Just to piggyback off that, how do you think you have grown as a quarterback in your season so far at Oklahoma since you last played for UCF?

DILLON GABRIEL: Grown a bunch. Just learned a lot about myself like I said, a lot about this team and have grown in many ways just on and off the field. Putting myself in times that are a little uncomfortable and I think through adversity and challenges, you are stronger and just learning from those [situations]. I think as a quarterback, with all these experiences, you make sure to try not to make the same mistake twice and just putting yourself in those positions, you know, will help you in the long run.

Q. What is it about Coach Lebby's offenses that have been so successful and why do you feel so comfortable in it?

DILLON GABRIEL: I think just knowing the relationship between me and him and the trust and belief in his quarterbacks, in his system. Knowing that it puts us in a good position as well as all the skill positions. Just showcasing our talents and letting us play free and fast, which I think, that's the new day and age of college football.

So that's a huge reason and like I said, that relationship, that's the most important thing, is the QB and play-caller's relationship. Being able to talk freely on the phone in between drives and then also just week-to-week, game-to-game, knowing we can make adjustments and knowing that work relationship, it really has helped.

Q. When you transferred in, how big was it to develop the leadership skills you had leadership at UCF, but also get to know your teammates in the short transfer window? How were you able to handle that?

DILLON GABRIEL: I think it is different, coming into school, that recruiting class. It is a little easier on you, because you know the players. You kind of go through similar experiences, but transferring, I think it is a little sped up. You are expected to come in and be ready to go.

But that, like I said, was another challenge for me and something I learned, and I think will only help me in the long run. Being able to connect with guys and lead a new group of men, who don't necessarily have any rep going into it. You have kind of got to prove it on the field. Just being comfortable in that situation, learning from that, taking that experience and being better moving forward.

Q. A little bit of a curveball in the formatting, I'm going to ask you a question from Tulsa World. You will be missing some key players for the bowl game. What is the balance between a single game plan against a team like Florida State and your offensive game plan for the whole season?

DILLON GABRIEL: It is different, but I think it is also a big opportunity for new guys and what they are going to be able to showcase in what they do. We truly have a next-man-up mentality, so just being ready for that and letting them seize the opportunity.

Q. Seems like you are totally present in what you are doing at Oklahoma, but do you keep in touch with former UCF teammates and did you follow UCF at all this season?

DILLON GABRIEL: Of course, I got a lot of friends and family that I have connected with throughout the season. We stay in touch with, but really close with a lot of them and they are brothers for life -- just the experiences we had. Of course, a lot of people are on different paths. It is crazy how much a year can change a lot of things. But yeah, very connected with a lot of them, not only past players, but present.

Q. With the level of opt-outs, like as a competitor, do you guys in the locker room have to talk about just the level of commitment you're going to have for this game or is it the fact that you guys are playing in this game enough to prove to everybody that you're dialed in?

DILLON GABRIEL: Yeah, I think opt-outs are going to happen and it is what it is nowadays. That is an individual decision, which everyone understands. But, it's another opportunity and it's a blessing and nobody takes that for granted on our side.

Q. You mentioned Tatum Bethune. Were you surprised at all he has had so much success in his first year at Florida State and what kind of a teammate was he?

DILLON GABRIEL: Great teammate. Never doubted his success. He is a great player and just a very good football player. He is talented and he can do a lot of things on the football field.

Q. How can this game springboard you into the 2023 season are the Sooners?

DILLON GABRIEL: Yeah, not only a good performance, but a win is huge in any situation. Especially against a good FSU team, it can definitely help us. Like I said, just excited for the opportunity, because it is another game. We will never take that for granted.