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OU football grades vs. TCU: Drake Stoops' senior sendoff is just how you would script it

joe mussatto, the oklahoman
·3 min read

NORMAN — OU, in its regular-season finale, routed TCU 69-45 Friday at Owen Field.

Let’s get to the grades.

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Drake Stoops’ senior sendoff: A+ 

For Drake Stoops, Friday was a Senior Day to remember in what’s been a storybook senior season.

The sixth-year Sooner receiver caught a team-high 12 passes for 125 yards and a touchdown. It was his third 100-yard day in his last three games.

His time at OU is almost up, but Stoops seems to be getting better by the week.

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Bob and Carol Stoops greet their son Oklahoma Sooners wide receiver Drake Stoops (12) duringSenior Day before a college football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners (OU) and the TCU Horned Frogs at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Okla., Friday, Nov. 24, 2023.
Bob and Carol Stoops greet their son Oklahoma Sooners wide receiver Drake Stoops (12) duringSenior Day before a college football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners (OU) and the TCU Horned Frogs at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Okla., Friday, Nov. 24, 2023.

Dillon Gabriel plays, and plays well: A- 

OU quarterback Dillon Gabriel seemed, at best, a 50/50 shot to play Friday. But then he trotted onto the field for OU’s first series, and made a statement on OU’s first play by uncorking a 50-yard pass to Nic Anderson.

Two snaps later, Gabriel waltzed eight yards into the endzone for OU’s first touchdown of the day.

Gabriel had 11 completions of 15-plus yards.

He threw a beautiful 59-yard touchdown bomb to Jayden Gibson later in the first quarter. On the second play of the second quarter, Gabriel threw a 53-yard touchdown to Brenen Thompson. In all, Gabriel had three passes of 50 or more yards.

He completed 24-of-38 passes for 400 yards and three touchdowns against one interception. Gabriel rushed for 36 yards and another score.

More: OU football's Dillon Gabriel passes Baker Mayfield on NCAA career passing yards list

Oklahoma Sooners quarterback Dillon Gabriel (8) runs past TCU Horned Frogs linebacker Shad Banks Jr. (0) for a first down during a college football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners (OU) and the TCU Horned Frogs at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Okla., Friday, Nov. 24, 2023. Oklahoma won 69-45.
Oklahoma Sooners quarterback Dillon Gabriel (8) runs past TCU Horned Frogs linebacker Shad Banks Jr. (0) for a first down during a college football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners (OU) and the TCU Horned Frogs at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Okla., Friday, Nov. 24, 2023. Oklahoma won 69-45.

OU special teams: C

A real mixed bag.

Five minutes into the game, Gavin Freeman muffed a punt. It was a low, line drive off the foot of TCU’s Jordy Sandy. The ball kicked forward when it landed, and Freeman, who should’ve let it go, tried to smother it. The ball squirted loose and was recovered by TCU’s Namdi Obiazor.

The Horned Frogs capitalized on Freeman’s mistake with a touchdown. TCU missed the extra point however, making it 7-6.

But as bad as Freeman’s play was, how about Zach Schmit’s afternoon? The embattled OU kicker was a perfect 2-of-2 on field goals, including a 40-yard make in the fourth quarter.

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OU’s red zone efficiency: A

The Sooners scored on all eight of their red zone opportunities: five rushing touchdowns, one passing touchdown and two field goals.

The Horned Frogs gave the Sooners little resistance. OU cracked 600 yards of offense.

TCU also converted on all of its red zone chances, going 6-of-6.

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Oklahoma Sooners running back Gavin Sawchuk (27) celebrates with offensive lineman Walter Rouse (75) after a touchdown during a college football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners (OU) and the TCU Horned Frogs at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Okla., Friday, Nov. 24, 2023. Oklahoma won 69-45.
Oklahoma Sooners running back Gavin Sawchuk (27) celebrates with offensive lineman Walter Rouse (75) after a touchdown during a college football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners (OU) and the TCU Horned Frogs at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Okla., Friday, Nov. 24, 2023. Oklahoma won 69-45.

Sooner fans show up for home finale: B+

An 11 a.m. kickoff on Black Friday? Fans had to recover quickly from their Thanksgiving feasts to make the game.

And aside from the student section — with students away for Thanksgiving — the stadium was mostly full.

More: OU football scores most points in Big 12 play since 2003 & more stats from win vs. TCU

OU, TCU running backs battle: A

Not an OU grade per se, but both lead running backs — OU’s Gavin Sawchuk and TCU’s Emani Bailey — were electric.

Sawchuk ran for 130 yards and three touchdowns on 5.9 yards per carry.

Bailey ran for 150 yards and a touchdown on 7.1 yards per carry.

Joe Mussatto is a sports columnist for The Oklahoman. Have a story idea for Joe? Email him at jmussatto@oklahoman.com. Support Joe's work and that of other Oklahoman journalists by purchasing a digital subscription today at subscribe.oklahoman.com.

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This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: OU football grades vs TCU: Dillon Gabriel, Drake Stoops ace final test