Arnold’s first serious test may proceed because of Gabriel’s injury.

Jackson Arnold, the quarterback for Oklahoma, had an almost as startling as expected moment in the spotlight.

Before the half in Saturday’s game over BYU, it was becoming increasingly clear that the freshman held the team’s prospects of winning the Big 12 title. Late in the second quarter, Dillon Gabriel fell down hard and seemed to strike his head on a short run in the red zone.

Gabriel stayed in the game for the following play, facing third-and-goal and a chance to take the lead. He hammered a pass over the center and into Nic Anderson’s narrow window.

Though it was on aim, the ball was little ahead of the 6-4 recipient. With Anderson unable to get it in, the Sooners had to settle for a field goal.

Gabriel wasn’t going to be able to play again before the Sooners went into halftime, according to the trainers who examined him when they returned to the sidelines.

Venables described Gabriel’s injury as a “upper-body issue” and expressed optimism for a speedy recovery.

Due to the injury, Arnold would only be able to play in five games this season, negating his opportunity to take advantage of a redshirt. He last competed for Arkansas State, SMU, Tulsa, and Iowa State.