When Dillon Gabriel takes his first snap under center for the Oklahoma Sooners on Sept. 3, he’ll be the fifth season-opening starting quarterback for the Sooners in six seasons.
Spencer Rattler opened the season as the starter each of the last two years. Before that the Sooners had a single season out of Jalen Hurts and Kyler Murray after Baker Mayfield’s three-year run of dominance.
This year, it’s Dillon Gabriel’s turn to lead the Oklahoma Sooners. By all accounts his debut for the Sooners in September will go swimmingly, but not all season openers have been hot starts.
Let’s take a look at how each starting quarterback fared in their season opener since the year 2000.
2000: Josh Heupel and the Sooners beat UTEP 55-14
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Josh Heupel: 18 of 36 for 274 yards and two TDs, one interception.
Oklahoma went 13-0 and beat Florida State, 13-2, in the Orange Bowl to win the BCS national championship.
2001: Nate Hybl and OU beat North Carolina 41-27
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Nate Hybl: 20 of 29 for 152 yards and an interception.
The story of this game was the defense and special teams. Derrick Strait had an interception return for a touchdown. Rocky Calmus recovered a fumble and returned it for a touchdown. And returner Antwone Savage added a kickoff return for a touchdown.
Oklahoma went 11-2 with losses to No. 3 Nebraska and Oklahoma State in Bedlam.
2002: Jason White leads shutout of Tulsa 37-0
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Jason White: 15 of 26 for 126 yards, 0 TD, 2 interceptions.
The rushing attack led the way with four touchdowns and the Sooners received another from returner Antonio Perkins.
Oklahoma went 12-2, beating Colorado in the Big 12 Championship game after losses to Texas A&M and Oklahoma State during conference play.
2003: Jason White and the Sooners defeat UNT 37-3
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Jason White: 23 of 35 for 248 yards, 3 touchdowns, and 1 interception.
It had been several years since the Oklahoma Sooners received a standout…