OU football loses Dillon Gabriel to injury vs. BYU; Jackson Arnold in at QB for Sooners

PROVO, Utah — If OU is to pull off a win over BYU, the Sooners will need to do it without Dillon Gabriel.

The Sooners’ quarterback didn’t return from the locker room after halftime, as freshman Jackson Arnold instead led the OU offense, burning his redshirt in the process.

OU went with a relatively conservative approach initially with Arnold, with swing passes to Gavin Sawchuk and Tawee Walker.

Arnold did break off a run for an apparent first down but it was called back on a penalty and the Sooners had to punt.

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Nov 18, 2023; Provo, Utah, USA; Oklahoma Sooners quarterback Dillon Gabriel (8) warms up before the game against the Brigham Young Cougars at LaVell Edwards Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 18, 2023; Provo, Utah, USA; Oklahoma Sooners quarterback Dillon Gabriel (8) warms up before the game against the Brigham Young Cougars at LaVell Edwards Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-USA TODAY Sports

The OU radio broadcast said Gabriel was dealing with a head injury.

Gabriel is 13 of 21 for 191 yards and two touchdowns in the first half as the Sooners were tied 17-17 with BYU.

Gabriel appeared to be injured on OU’s final drive of the first half when BYU’s Talan Alfrey tackled him on second-and-goal from the 5.

Alfrey’s tackle rolled Gabriel, bouncing the quarterback’s head off the turf at LaVell Edwards Stadium.

Gabriel is unlikely to return Saturday.

More: OU football vs. BYU updates: Cougars tie Sooners 17-17 with field goal to end first half

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: OU football loses Dillon Gabriel to injury; Jackson Arnold in vs. BYU

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