Jayhawks running back Daniel Hishaw had two rushing scores while running back Devin Neal and quarterback Jason Bean each had one. Kansas ran for 225 yards, the most that Oklahoma has allowed in a game this season. 

PODCAST: More big games set the week nine slate

Kansas entered the fourth quarter trailing 27-26. Hishaw ran in a 1-yard score to give the Jayhawks a brief 32-27 lead with 12:25 remaining. 

Oklahoma quarterback Dillon Gabriel dashed for his third rushing touchdown of the day with 5:22 left on the clock. Gabriel’s three rushing touchdowns are a career high. 

Sooners defensive lineman Ethan Downs came up with an interception of Bean on the ensuing drive. The Jayhawks had completed a key fourth and four on the drive, and Oklahoma’s interception came at its own 49-yard line. 

Kansas forced a big three-and-out after Oklahoma couldn’t run for another first down. The Sooners punted, and the Jayhawks took over possession at their own 20-yard line with less than two minutes to go. 

Bean had passes of 17 and 37 yards to set the Jayhawks up in favorable position at the Sooners’ 9-yard line. Neal ran in the go-ahead score from nine yards out with 55 seconds left on the board. 

Oklahoma wasn’t out of the game, however, as Gabriel made several big completions of his own for 19 and 39 yards to put the Sooners on the doorstep of the red zone. 

But Kansas’ defense made the stops and sealed the win. 

READ: Allar finds Lambert-Smith, No. 10 Penn State outlasts Indiana 33-24 

Bean finished with 218 passing yards, two interceptions, 62 rushing yards and a score. Neal had 112 rushing yards and Hishaw had 51. 

Gabriel had 167 passing yards and an interception. He had 64 yards on the ground while running back Tawee Walker had a game-high 146 rushing yards. 

The post Kansas beats No. 6 Oklahoma 38-33 behind 4 rushing TDs  appeared first on Saturday Glory.

There is still plenty left to be resolved, too, about this college football season. The Big Ten Conference will learn more about itself in the next few weeks.

PODCAST: Kirby Smart is Right for Not Caring

No. 2  Michigan, No. 3 Ohio State and No. 6 Penn State all rank inside the top-10 from the Big Ten’s East Division. All three will play one another, first when the Nittany Lions travel to Columbus on Oct. 21. 

Here are several players and notes to keep a tab on in this week’s Big Board. 

Can USC outlast its upcoming stretch of games? 

Speaking of stretches of tough games, the Trojans have a challenging stretch coming up. 

USC is already bowl eligible behind its 6-0 record. Now, it has some work to do. 

The Trojans will face No. 21 Notre Dame in South Bend, Indiana, this week. The two teams met a season ago in California when USC beat the Fighting Irish 38-27. 

After that, USC will have to go on and host No. 16 Utah, which beat the Trojans twice last year and kept them from the College Football Playoff. 

USC will then get a chance to rebound at Cal before hosting No. 7 Washington in what will be expected to be a matchup of Heisman Trophy contenders between Caleb Williams and Michael Penix Jr. The Heisman very well may be on the line that week. 

READ: Quotables: Week 6

The Trojans will round out the season at No. 8 Oregon and against No. 18 UCLA in what will likely be a stretch of five ranked games in their final six of the season. 

Can USC come out on the other side this year on the doorstep of the CFP? 

Dillon Gabriel, Oklahoma 

In recent weeks, it has felt like Texas’ Quinn Ewers or Oregon’s Bo Nix among others who have vaulted themselves into Heisman Trophy consideration. 

This time around, it’s Oklahoma’s Dillon Gabriel, who led the Sooners to a 34-30 Red River Rivalry victory. 

READ: Gabriel leads No. 12 Oklahoma in ‘team effort’ Red River Rivalry win over No. 3 Texas 

Gabriel ranks among the top quarterbacks from a statistical lens. He’s fifth in passing yards and eighth in passing efficiency, and he had to get it done with both his arm and legs against the Longhorns. 

Gabriel passed for 285 yards and a touchdown while running for 113 yards more and a score. 

Gabriels’ current Heisman odds are +1200, which are the fourth-best according to FanDuel Sportsbook. 

Is Beck beginning to break out for Georgia? 

According to ESPN Stats & Info, Bulldogs quarterback Carson Beck became the third Southeastern Conference quarterback in over 10 years to throw four touchdowns and complete 85% of his passes against the blitz, and he became the first to do so against an SEC opponent. 

He went 28-for-35 against No. 20 Kentucky and added 389 passing yards and four touchdowns. 

Beck has the opportunity to do something special. 

Succeeding a quarterback like Stetson Bennett is no easy task. Bennett took Georgia to back-to-back CFP National Championships, and Beck can help the Bulldogs become the first team to three-peat in the modern era. 

PODCAST: Talking winners, top teams and much more after week six

Beck is tied for 33^rd with 11 passing touchdowns and he’s No. 15 in passing efficiency. He is also fourth in passing yards with 1,886 and sixth with a 73.5% completion. 

Beck’s current Heisman odds are +4500, according to FanDuel Sportsbook, and those are the 10^th-best odds among all players. 

The post Big Board: Week 7  appeared first on Saturday Glory.

Before clinching a 34-30 win in the Red River Rivalry over No. 3 Texas, Gabriel thought it was special to receive a phone call from someone he said he admires “a bunch.” 

“It was good, man. He’s just a really good dude,” Gabriel said. “He’s a stud. I love the way he plays and just love what he’s all about so really super cool to just have that access and that be something from guys who played here. They love this place and I love that about OU.”

PODCAST: Which Big Ten Rivalries Should and Shouldn’t Be Protected?

The Sooners captured the victory over Texas, handing the Longhorns their first loss of the season. 

Oklahoma also clinched bowl eligibility with the win, moving to 6-0 after what may be its signature win thus far this season. 

“This is our moment, and I’m a big team guy,” Gabriel said. “This is what we’ve worked for. This is the offseason training with next to these three guys and coach pushing us. This is a team effort and that’s what it was. I always say it — there’s no throw without a block and there’s no pitch without a catch. So just seeing all everyone make plays and find a way to win that’s all that matters. I always say it’s W or L and we just want to find ways to get W’s and keep moving, keep getting better.” 

The magnitude of the win isn’t something Sooners head coach Brent Venables is taking lightly, either. 

“I don’t know how long I’ve coached in the big scheme but there are a whole bunch of really, really big games and 15 of these and this one doesn’t take a backseat to any one of them,” Venables said. “National championships, conference championships just all the scenarios, the moments, the big plays, both sides of the ball.”

READ: UCLA scores 13 4th-quarter points, beats No. 13 Washington State 25-17

Oklahoma had 1:17 to find a way to usurp Texas’ then-30-27 lead. And with Gabriel under center, the Sooners had just the right tricks. 

Gabriel went 4-for-4 for 56 yards on the game-winning drive in the fourth quarter. He found receiver Nic Anderson in the corner of the end zone for the go-ahead touchdown pass. 

“Starting out I saw 1:17 on the on the dot and I know we were getting at the 25 so just starting the drive out right, trying to create a completion with Drake (Stoops) across the middle,” Gabriel said. “From there you’re rolling and you kind of got that rhythm, that flow and then I believe I throw to Jalil (Farooq) on the sidelines so he gets another chunk and as time is dwindling as you get to that midfield just knowing we can get three within a 20-yard gain but also a chance to win the game but not taking the sack is in my mind and finding a way to either first down, touchdown or out of bounds.” 

Gabriel finished with 285 passing yards and a touchdown, completing 61% of his passes. It was a performance that’s been a long time coming because he missed the Red River Rivalry game last season, a Texas 49-0 shutout, due to a concussion. 

And a performance it was, and one that stands out to Venables. 

“He is the calmest guy I’ve ever been around at the quarterback position, and he’s got great belief in the players around him, incredibly humble,” Venables said. “He’s been one of the most consistent players in our program from the leadership and showing up every day with the right mindset and bringing out the best in his teammates, so he was fearless. And again, I don’t put any limits on what Dillon can do, and he’s playing as confident as anybody on our on our team right now.”

READ: Reports: Fitzgerald seeks lawsuit against Northwestern

Gabriel led the final drive going down the field 75 yards on five plays, something that could be bookmarked as one of his Heisman Trophy moments. 

But that’s not what Gabriel has his attention on. To him, it’s all about the team and Oklahoma’s legacy. 

“I’ll say this, it’s not my main focus,” Gabriel said. “I’m focused on heading into this bye week and getting better, watching the tape and finding ways to get better and then, shoot, taking it one week at a time. And I think as you do that the rest will take care of itself, and I’m a big believer in that. I know it’s at the forefront of what we’re all about so just taking it one week at a time and staying present that will take care of itself.” 

The post Gabriel leads No. 12 Oklahoma in ‘team effort’ Red River Rivalry win over No. 3 Texas  appeared first on Saturday Glory.

Oklahoma quarterback Dillon Gabriel found receiver Nic Anderson in the corner of the end zone on a 3-yard touchdown pass with 15 seconds remaining to give the No. 12 Sooners a 34-30 win at No. 3 Texas on Saturday afternoon. 

PODCAST: Which Big Ten Rivalries Should and Shouldn’t Be Protected?

Tied up at 27 points, Texas kicker Bert Auburn made a 47-yard field goal with 1:17 left to give the Longhorns their first lead of the second half. 

It proved to be too much time left on the clock. 

Gabriel passed for 285 yards and one touchdown across 23 completions. He went 23-for-38, and on the game-winning drive Gabriel went 4-for-4 for 58 yards. 

Gabriel also had 113 rushing yards and a touchdown with his legs. 

Oklahoma capitalized on three Texas turnovers, including two interceptions thrown by Longhorns quarterback Quinn Ewers on the first two drives.

READ: Reports: Fitzgerald seeks lawsuit against Northwestern

Oklahoma held a 20-17 halftime lead. It went a perfect 6-of-6 in the red zone and scored three touchdowns in the red area. 

Ewers finished 31-for-37 with 346 yards and a touchdown. 

The post Anderson’s last-minute touchdown lifts No. 12 Oklahoma over No. 3 Texas  appeared first on Saturday Glory.

There are four ranked matchups this week, headlined by the Red River Rivalry between No. 12 Oklahoma and No. 3 Texas in Dallas. 

PODCAST: 5 Questions Florida Needs to Answer After Loss to Kentucky

No. 1 Georgia will also look to go 6-0 and clinch bowl eligibility against No. 20 Kentucky, which is riding hot off a Top 25 upset of then-No. 22 Florida thanks to a 280-yard rushing performance by running back Ray Davis. 

Here are several games to watch this Saturday. 

No. 12 Oklahoma at No. 3 Texas  

The Red River Rivalry, in Dallas. 

The biggest stage between some of the biggest programs in all of college football is set to host Oklahoma and Texas at noon on ABC. 

“As far as this game, Red River Rivalry, that’s why we’re in college football, right, to be part be part of games like this,” Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian said. “Two undefeated teams, two top-25 teams. The spotlight of college football will be on us. I think that the beauty for us this will be our third top-25 matchup now in six games, and every team we’ve played has got a winning record and is doing good things. So I think that we’ve been exposed to some high level football now through five weeks and naturally we understand the emotions that will come with this game and different things. I think it’s critical for us that we have a great week of preparation, that we take it one day at a time and then we go in with the mindset to execute on Saturday.” 

The Longhorns have already claimed ranked wins at Alabama and against Kansas, and they’ll have another shot to earn a Top 25 victory once again. 

Both Oklahoma and Texas will meet one more time before the two jump from the Big 12 Conference to the Southeastern Conference beginning next year. 

READ: Big Board: Week 6

The Sooners rank ahead of Texas in total offense, averaging 510 yards per game, and the Longhorns are atop the Big 12 in total defense just ahead of Oklahoma at No. 2. 

The quarterback matchup between Quinn Ewers of Texas and Oklahoma’s Dillon Gabriel should be a fun one. Both gunslingers have over 1,358 passing yards. 

“Going to be again, a wonderful environment against a really talented, hot Texas team that play on paper and on film they play their best when they’re playing really good people,” Oklahoma head coach Brent Venables said. “Texas has always risen to the occasion and done so but coming off a really good, strong game last week against Kansas where they had almost 700 yards of offense and really were unstoppable. And they’ve been outstanding in all the areas you peel it back whether that’s rush defense or pass defense or scoring defense or red zone defense. If that’s offensively how efficient that they’ve been. They’ve got incredible weapons at the skill position. They lost some great backs last year and they’ve obviously shown they’ve really recruited well. (Jonathon) Brooks is one of a number of their backs that is running really, really well. (Xavier) Worthy, (Adonai) Mitchell, (Ja’Tavion) Sanders, amongst others are just some really incredibly talented players. Ewers was a true freshman last year, played pretty dang good and he’s playing at a really high level. Obviously against Alabama in Tuscaloosa (he) threw for just south of 350 yards and that was the National Player of the Week. So again, we got a great, great challenge. They’re spearheaded on defense by Jaylan Ford who is as good of a linebacker that’s out there in college football, and special teams have been really strong for them. But again, I like where we’re at as well. I want to see where we’re at. If you want to continue to improve and create change, we’re certainly not where we want to be by in any way shape or form, that doesn’t mean that you’re not thankful for your players and your coaches and the hard work that guys have put in and the success that we’ve had you got to celebrate.” 

No. 13 Washington State at UCLA  

Both Washington State and UCLA are coming off bye weeks, and they’ll meet in the Rose Bowl on Saturday. 

Washington State head coach Jake Dickert said he’s familiar with Chip Kelly’s style of offense. Though, Dickert also said he has “not seen a bigger, longer defense” than UCLA’s “in a long time.”

READ: Quotables: Week 5

“These guys are long and have great length and they’re attacking, and they’re playing tremendously on that side of the ball,” Dickert said. “I mean, it is impressive to watch their physicality, the (Laiatu) Latu kid is a problem. Most people have him in the top half of the first round. And then 53 when the Hawaii contingent was here, they used to talk about this kid. He is physical, he is downhill, he is aggressive. So I think they’re playing with supreme confidence on that side of the ball and it’s showing as one of the best defenses in our league so it presents a big challenge, especially up front and how much they want to blitz. 

Washington State has generated the No. 4 total offense in the Pac-12, averaging 533.8 yards per game. 

In the Cougars’ most recent game, their quarterback Cam Ward threw for 404 yards and four touchdowns. 

Offense has helped lead Washington State to its first 4-0 start since 2017, and Dickert expects this one to come down to a defensive battle. 

“They got a great receiver on the outside, and very unique schemes” Dickert said. “I mean, very unique schemes and week to week changes quite a bit, and I think it’s well documented how hard it is to go down in L.A. and win.” 

No. 2 Michigan at Minnesota  

Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy has found a rhythm to begin the 2023 season. 

He is No. 5 among passers with a 191.64 passing efficiency rating, and McCarthy is No. 3 behind a 79% completion. 

PODCAST: What we learned coming out of week five

McCarthy’s favorite target is far and away receiver Roman Wilson, who has caught eight of McCarthy’s 10 touchdown passes. 

The Wolverines got out to their 5-0 start without their head coach Jim Harbaugh for the first three games. Since his return in Week 4, Michigan has outscored its two opponents 76-14 allowing two touchdowns. 

Harbaugh said he sees another good defense on the Wolverines’ hands, and the Golden Gophers rank in the middle of the pack in the Big Ten in scoring and total defense. 

“Another really good defense, really stout,” Harbaugh said. “The quarterback has really come along, and they have a tremendous ability to run the ball. Physical team that is going to be, I mean, I love how they play. It’s an emotional, fired up type of team. P.J. (Fleck) does a great job. I mean, you can always tell they’re confident no matter what, no matter what the stakes are, the odds are, you just see it in the way they play. They play hard. It’s all you can ever ask for as a coach from your players is that they play hard. Our guys are doing it. Minnesota’s guys are. It’ll be a football fight like it is every Saturday, and we got to play good.” 

The post Preview Thursday: Week 6 appeared first on Saturday Glory.

Three of those ranked bouts will feature Pac-12 Conference members, and the conference couldn’t have gotten out to a better start to the year beginning 17-0. 

PODCAST: These 8 Coaches Can Change How They’re Viewed This Weekend 

This week’s top-10 game will take place in South Bend, Indiana, while the No. 1 Bulldogs and No. 2 Wolverines will play at home and No. 3 Texas and No. 4 Florida State will be on the road. 

Here are several games to watch this week. 

No. 16 Oklahoma at Cincinnati 

The first Big 12 matchup between the Sooners and Bearcats will take place at Nippert Stadium in Cincinnati, and both teams will bring an amount of momentum that will make for a competitive contest. 

No. 16 Oklahoma is 3-0 to start the season under second-year head coach Brent Venables, who recalled the challenge and prestige the Cincinnati football program has attained in recent years. 

“That’s a team that used to winning,” Venables said. “They have high standards when they play at home or when they play on the road, but it’s going to be a, again, a great atmosphere. they got a strong culture, great belief system. Those players expect success. And again, they had a tough loss in overtime. They were a play away from winning the game so I’m sure they’ve got great perspective. They haven’t lost their mind through a little adversity, and they’ll be ready to compete.” 

PODCAST: Lincoln Riley Has a History of Being a Baby 

Oklahoma quarterback Dillon Gabriel earned a place on this week’s Big Board after a big outing last week. Gabriel set the program record with a 90.3% completion against Tulsa, and he added five touchdowns and 421 passing yards. 

Saturday will mark Cincinnati’s first-ever Big 12 game, and it comes with high stakes. The Bearcats suffered a home rivalry loss to Miami (OH) in overtime a week ago. 

Gabriel will go against Cincinnati quarterback Emory Jones, who started the season hot with five touchdowns in Week 1 and has seven touchdowns and a 66.3% completion rate this far. 

No. 19 Colorado at No. 10 Oregon 

Colorado’s hype train is about to face its biggest test of the season. 

The No. 19 Buffaloes eked out an overtime win over rival Colorado State in Week 3, taking a 43-35 victory and riding momentum between a 3-0 start to the year. 

READ: Quotables: Week 3 

Across the field in Week 4 will be the No. 10 Ducks who entered the top-10 for the first time this season. Oregon head coach Dan Lanning earlier this season took a big picture approach and questioned whether Colorado has “won anything” in its program history. 

Colorado head coach Deion Sanders had only respect for Lanning and the way he runs the Oregon program. 

“I respect the heck out of this man. What he’s accomplished stepping in, taking over a program and keeping it not only rocking steady, but accelerating it,” Sanders said. “I’m not a fan of anybody I mean, except for, you know, some of the celebrities that got a tremendous gift but not in sports — I respect the heck out of him. I love what he’s accomplishing. I love who he is, the way he runs his team. I love the way he operates. So I’ve got a lot of respect for him.” 

RELATED: Reports: Hunter to miss Colorado’s next three games due to injury 

Lanning said he didn’t regret what he said about Colorado’s program and clarified that he wasn’t talking about Sanders’ team specifically. 

Ducks quarterback Bo Nix and Oregon have outscored opponents 174-47 so far this season. Nix has 893 passing yards and eight touchdowns along with no interceptions this season. 

Lanning said the Pac-12 is off to a great start this season and that only showcases the talent the conference has, and a lot of it will be on display between Colorado and Oregon on Saturday. 

“I think there’s a lot of great teams in this conference and I think that’s really evident with how they’ve performed outside of the conference,” Lanning said. “We kind of talked to our players about, ‘Hey, preseason (is) over, right. You’ve been playing opposing conferences, other teams but now this is when we get into the meat and potatoes of what really matters for us and our goals that we want to accomplish.’ So there’s some great teams. I think we’ll continue to see that each week. I think we have a really tough schedule, and certainly a tough opponent coming up here this week.” 

No. 6 Ohio State at No. 9 Notre Dame 

In a rematch of last season, the Buckeyes and Fighting Irish will meet to determine which top-10 team this time around has the edge over the other. 

READ: SMU raises $100 million in 1 week to support transition to ACC 

Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman will look to upend his alma mater at home when the Fighting Irish host the Buckeyes at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday. The Buckeyes took a big season-opener a year ago 21-10 in a game that showed both defenses were strong. 

Offense in this matchup will likely take the focus. Ohio State will trot out Kyle McCord at quarterback, as he is in his first year as starter, while Notre Dame will do the same with Sam Hartman. 

Hartman has played like a veteran. After four games, he leads the NCAA with 13 touchdown passes and has 1,061 passing yards. 

McCord and Ohio State will face a different level of adversity. McCord has had his fair share of ups and downs to start his campaign, but has settled in well and has thrown 815 yards with six touchdowns albeit alongside an interception. 

In a battle between two highly ranked, top-10 teams, Saturday will give way to one team over the other and show which is ready for the limelight after four weeks of the season. 

“This is, again, a top-10 game on the road and this is why, again, these are the kind of games why you come to Ohio State,” Day said. “This is an exciting series because it’s not something that happens very often. Ohio State-Notre Dame, two of the bigger teams in the Midwest getting together for a home-and-home. Last year’s atmosphere was electric. It’ll be the same way on Saturday night so our guys are really fired up for this.” 

The post Preview Thursday: Week 4 appeared first on Saturday Glory.

In what will be six games between ranked teams, Week 4 presents a slate of games that should reveal true contenders and playmakers among game-commnading quarterbacks. 

This week’s top-10 bout is between No. 6 Ohio State and No. 9 Notre Dame. The two teams met in Columbus a season ago and this team will see new quarterback play between the Buckeyes’ Kyle McCord and Fighting Irish’s Sam Hartman. 

READ: Big Board: Week 3 

Here are several players and notes to keep a tab on in this week’s Big Board. 

Jayden Daniels, LSU 

Daniels’ Heisman Trophy odds are +2500 according to FanDuel Sportsbook. 

After the 41-14 win over Mississippi State, Daniels was named Co-Offensive Player of the Week by the Southeastern Conference. 

He posted season-high numbers in a few statistical categories, including 361 passing yards and an 88.2% completion. 

Daniels’ season has been up and down so far. He’s experienced the highs of a five-touchdown performance in Week 2 against Grambling State and the lows of a top-five loss in Week 1 to No. 4 Florida State. 

PODCAST: These 8 Coaches Can Change How They’re Viewed This Weekend

Daniels and No. 12 LSU’s season is far from over. This week, they go up against Arkansas State before back-to-back weeks on the road, which stand to test the Tigers quarterback entering the latest round of his Heisman campaign in his second season with LSU. 

Dillon Gabriel, Oklahoma 

Gabriel’s Heisman odds are +2500 according to FanDuel Sportsbook. 

Gabriel set the Oklahoma single-game program record for completion percentage behind his 28-for-31 performance last Saturday. He added on 421 passing yards and five touchdowns, all through mostly three quarters of play. 

He was named Big 12 Offensive Player of the Week for his efforts, the first of Gabriel’s season. 

Gabriel is a newcomer to the Big Board. He’s no stranger to college football though, as the fifth-year quarterback has 12,110 career passing yards. 

Oklahoma is quietly enjoying a smooth start to its season. With Gabriel under center, the Sooners have a lethal passing options to employ during a season in which they hope to rebound from a 6-7 record from a year ago. 

Sam Hartman, Notre Dame 

Hartman’s Heisman odds are +1000 according to FanDuel Sportsbook. 

Hartman has a big game coming up this week. 

This time around, No. 9 Notre Dame will host a top-five showdown in South Bend, Indiana, when the Fighting Irish welcome No. 6 Ohio State to town. 

To say Hartman will be prepared is likely an understatement. 

READ: Quotables: Week 3

Also a veteran of college football, the sixth-year veteran last week posted a season-high total of 330 passing yards. He’s settling into a groove as he also added three more touchdown passes to his NCAA-leading total of 13. 

Saturday will be Hartman’s first time playing Ohio State as Notre Dame looks to get back at a loss in last year’s season-opener. He’ll have an advantage playing as well as he has and with the experience he’s gained under center. 

Bo Nix, Oregon 

Nix’s Heisman odds are +2000 according to FanDuel Sportsbook. 

Just like Hartman, Nix has a chance to come up big in a marquee matchup with No. 19 Colorado. 

The No. 10 Ducks joined the top-10 after posting three-straight wins to start the season. They’ve outscored opponents 174-47. 

Nix has also quietly enjoyed a solid season thus far. Through three games he has 893 passing yards to rank No. 16 in the NCAA and a 181.03 passing efficiency rating to rank No. 15. 

The fifth-year quarterback has gotten things done briefly on the ground in addition to what he can do with his arm. Nix ran nine times in Week 2 against Texas Tech to total 46 rushing yards. 

Much is left to learn about Nix, who spent the first three seasons of his career at Auburn. A big showing and a halting of Colorado’s hype train could springboard Nix further into the Heisman mix. 

Michael Penix Jr. 

Penix’s Heisman odds are +480 according to FanDuel Sportsbook. 

Over four weeks, Penix has appeared on the Big Board most of all. 

READ: SMU raises $100 million in 1 week to support transition to ACC

He’s taken a place on the Big Board three out of the first four weeks of the season, and Penix is showing no signs of slowing down. 

Penix was named the Walter Camp National Offensive Player of the Week on Monday. He added his third-consecutive 400-plus yard outing to start the year. 

At Michigan State last Saturday, Penix threw for a season-high 473 yards. He added four touchdowns through the air and also had a season-best 77.1% completion. 

Penix has the best Heisman Trophy odds of any of the five quarterbacks on this week’s Big Board. He trails only reigning winner Caleb Williams in the running. 

The post Big Board: Week 4 appeared first on Saturday Glory.

He lost twice while at Central Florida in 2019-20, and Saturday marked the first time he’d get another chance while a member of Oklahoma. Gabriel said his prior record against the Golden Hurricane was a sticking point in meetings leading up to the 66-17 win. 

“Something I’ve always remembered, and in a not a great way, but just something that sticks with you,” Gabriel said. “Being able to end it the right way does feel good.” 

Gabriel went 28-for-31 for 421 yards and five touchdowns against Tulsa, helping lead the way to a big win and a 3-0 start for a third-straight season. 

“We’re learning how to win in different ways and learning how to play just good football offensively in a bunch of different ways: running the football, throwing it and then situationally,” Gabriel said. “I think I’m very proud of our guys doing that and we got to continue to emphasize that and be really good at that.”

LOOK: Oklahoma’s Dillon Gabriel sets new program record for completion percentage

Three of Gabriel’s touchdown passes came in a 28-point first quarter for the Sooners. They set the tone early and didn’t give Tulsa a chance to get within 21 points for most of the game. 

Gabriel’s performance caught the attention of Oklahoma head coach Brent Venables, who said he thought Gabriel played “fantastic” and shared the football. 

“Dillon was incredibly accurate today and made several really good plays in tight coverage,” Venables said. “Loved that we spread the ball around. I think we had 11 different guys catch a ball today.” 

The Sooners in fact did have 11 different receivers make a catch against the Golden Hurricane, led by three receivers who posted 100-plus yard outings: Jalil Farooq, Nic Anderson and Andrel Anthony. 

Gabriel said Oklahoma did well turning short plays into chunk yardage and had “a really good tempo” putting things together. Aside from the win, Gabriel said there isn’t much time for enjoying his individial performance. 

“Unfortunately, there’s no time for that but maybe down the road,” Gabriel said. “For me, I’m just focused on continuing to get better, continuing to be ready for this team, be a great leader, be a great teammate. But I just look at it as opportunity to look back and reminisce and we’ll continue to get better at that. But yeah, all it takes is a W for me.”

READ: Missouri uses walk-off field goal to beat No. 15 Kansas State

Down the road is somewhere Gabriel wants to see himself being successful and on a grander stage. 

The redshirt senior is in his second season with the Sooners and under offensive coordinator Jeff Lebby. Through three games, Oklahoma has averaged 55.7 points and Gabriel has averaged 302 passing yards. 

Gabriel said “the group is the mindset” and that it’s been a collective effort so far to Oklahoma’s hot start, and he’s glad it’s showing. The Sooners have a chance to turn things around from a 6-7 season a year ago and with Gabriel in Year 2 of guiding the offensive system. 

“It’s a whole new year,” Gabriel said. “Just staying present in the moment, what it is right now, and I’m proud of our guys fighting and continuing to work through adversity at certain times that it shows itself. So it is what it is, we’re flipping the page and it’s next week for us.” 

The post Oklahoma’s Gabriel ‘learning how to win in different ways’ behind 5 TD performance against Tulsa  appeared first on Saturday Glory.