5 Oklahoma players to watch against Iowa State

AMES — There’s just one team in the Big 12 that has yet to record a conference win and you guessed it, it’s Iowa State.

The Cyclones’ four straight teeth-gnashing losses by a combined four points haven’t led to hand wringing within the program, however. ISU (3-4, 0-4) is convinced a breakthrough is coming — and perhaps that starts Saturday at 11 a.m. against Oklahoma (4-3, 1-3) at Jack Trice Stadium.

“I think it just starts with confidence,” Cyclone senior receiver Xavier Hutchinson told reporters after his team's 24-21 loss at Texas on Oct. 15.

Maybe so. Either way, here are five Oklahoma players to watch on Saturday:

QB Dillon Gabriel

The Big 12’s preseason offensive newcomer of the year missed most of the Sooners’ 55-24 loss at TCU and didn’t play as Texas pounded his team, 49-0, in the Red River shootout. The reason? Concussion protocols.

But Gabriel has a clean bill of health now and it shows. The 5-foot-11, 203-pound junior transfer from Central Florida has thrown 13 touchdown passes and just one interception this season. He’s also rushed for three touchdowns while averaging 4.7 yards per carry. Gabriel threw for a season-high 403 yards and totaled three touchdowns (two passing, one rushing) in Oklahoma’s 52-42 win over Kansas on Oct. 15.

LB Danny Stutsman

The 6-4, 240-pound sophomore from Windermere, Fla., does what ISU head coach Matt Campbell looks for the most in his players: “He loves to play football.”

Stutsman, along with teammates David Ugwuegbo, ranks second in the Big 12 in tackles with 62. He’s also fifth in the conference in tackles for loss with eight — and has recorded double-digit tackles in three games this season. Stutsman also forced two fumbles last season as a valuable bench contributor and makes plays all over the field.

RB Eric Gray

The 5-10, 210-pound senior started his career at Tennessee and has been a big play threat his entire college career.

Gray transferred to Oklahoma last season and totaled four touchdowns rushing and receiving while making six starts. He’s truly “the guy” for the Sooners now and he’s averaging a head-turning 7.2 yards per carry this season while ranking among the top four in the conference in rushing yards per game (99.3).

But Gray’s ability to contribute to the passing game sets him apart from many of the league’s top backs. He has yet to score a touchdown through the air this season, but has 14 catches for 105 yards. Of the 20 touchdowns he’s scored in his career, five have come on receptions.

WR Marvin Mims, Jr.

The 5-11, 182-pound junior has firmly established himself as one of the conference’s top receivers in each of the past three seasons.

Mims ranks third in the Big 12 is receiving yards per game (77.6) and has scored three touchdowns. His 16.9 yards per catch is the best in the league among players with 30 or more receptions, but he was quiet (one catch for 17 yards) in the last meeting with the Cyclones.

His debut against ISU was a different story, though. Mims caught seven passes for 101 yards as a freshman against the Cyclones, so ISU defensive coordinator Jon Heacock has clearly identified him as a key player to keep under control.

TE Brayden Willis

The 6-4, 240-pound sixth-year senior from Arlington, Texas, has evolved from being a bit contributor to serving as a focal point in the Sooners’ offense.

Willis already has eclipsed his single season career-high in catches with 20 for 312 yards, but he’s also scored a career-best five touchdowns, which is tied for second most in the Big 12 with ISU’s Xavier Hutchinson and three others. Willis amassed a season-best 101 receiving yards in Oklahoma’s latest win over Kansas.

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