Dillon Gabriel, an extra year in his pocket, takes aim at Case Keenum’s career passing record: ‘Is he mad?’

Somewhere in that team-first mind of his, Dillon Gabriel has to know. He has to know how close he is to becoming the career passing leader in major college history.

Sure, there are asterisks attached to a six-year career that has allowed the Oregon quarterback to reach this point in history: a COVID-19 year, two transfers, and now a place in the shotgun leading the nation’s No. 1 team.

But the number he is chasing also has a name attached to it. Former Houston quarterback Case Keenum has held the career passing mark (19,217 yards) for 13 years.

If the Ducks reach the College Football Playoff championship game, Gabriel would need to average 294 passing yards over the next four games to break the record — that is with a bye, should Oregon win this weekend’s Big Ten Championship Game (7 p.m. ET, CBS). With 18,140 total passing yards, he has averaged 292.6 yards in 62 career games. If Oregon loses the Big Ten Championship but still runs the table to the CFP championship, which would mean five more games for Gabriel, the average yards per game would be an easy 215. 

The numbers are not top of mind. But all of it is part of the Ducks becoming the nation’s standard this season with Gabriel at quarterback. 

CBS Sports spoke to both the record holder, Keenum, and Gabriel, the player immediately behind in a chase for one of the most hallowed records in college football. When it was mentioned to Gabriel that Keenum has seen him play, there was a pause.

“Is he mad?” Gabriel asked CBS Sports.

No, he was told. As if Keenum, now 36 and on injured reserve with the Houston Texans, is upset that Gabriel has had the temerity to approach his record. Instead, Keenum is an admirer, not only of Gabriel but of the times he lives in.

“There…

Source link : https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/news/dillon-gabriel-an-extra-year-in-his-pocket-takes-aim-at-case-keenums-career-passing-record-is-he-mad/

Author : Dennis Dodd

Publish date : 2024-12-02 18:28:00

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