SantaFeToday.com Santa Fe’s Hometown News
By Arnie Leshin
Dillion Gabriel throwing and running the football in Oklahoma’s miraculus finish against Texas in what was the last Red River classic.
A left-hander, the senior transfer from Florida Central accounted for a remarkable finish to reel in a 24-20 victory before a split orange and red throng of an announced 100,000 watching the two undefeated teams.
With the result, it brought a changing in the national polls of both teams as the No. 3 Longhorns dropped to No. 9, and the No. 12 Sooners up to No. 4.
With the clock ticking down in this tight tussle before both schools trade in the Big 12 for the Southeastern Conference in 2024, Texas had cut into a 10-point deficit from 27-27 remaining in regulation at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas, then gained a 30-27 lead on Billy Ashburn’s third field goal with 1:18 left.
Oklahoma had two time outs left, but it never needed them. After the Longhorn kickoff started them at their own 25, Gabriel strolled onto the field, said a few words to his Sooner teammates there with him and quickly went to work.
The Heisman Trophy candidate from Hawaii, he had 75 yards to gain for the victory, and he began with three-straight passes.
Two were to senior Drake Stoops, son of former head coach Bob Stoops up in the VIP section, and that was for 24 and 18 yards, both sideline, then a toss up the middle for 20, then ran five yards before Texas was whistled for defensive interference.
Two plays later, with the ball at the Longhorn 7, Gabriel got off a jump shot like toss to
