Garrett Gilbert didn’t have the greatest run as a quarterback at the University of Texas. He spent three seasons before moving to SMU following the 2011 season. During his time for the Longhorns Garrett threw for 13 touchdowns and 23 interceptions. He also only complete 56.7% of his passes. He had a better two-year run with SMU than he did at Texas. Just never lived up to the expectations that were placed on him.
The #Cowboys plan to start QB Garrett Gilbert on Sunday against the #Steelers, sources tell me and @RapSheet. Gilbert has gotten the majority of reps this week in practice. Assuming all goes well today, Gilbert starts and Cooper Rush backs him up.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) November 7, 2020
All that is now meaningless as he prepares for his first start in the NFL. He has bounced around since 2014. Gilbert now finds himself in the starting role due to an injury to Dak Prescott that ended his season. The backup Andy Dalton suffered a nasty concussion that cost him two games and then tested positive for COVID-19 ahead of this game. No pressure kid, you only are facing the last remaining undefeated team in the Pittsburgh Steelers.
I feel like it’s my job to go out there and perform and execute our game plan. And so, you know, what I bring to the table, I think that’s less important than just understanding what my job is and being the best quarterback I can be for this team. – Garrett Gilbert
Gilbert making his first NFL start for the Dallas Cowboys is a great story for the former five-star quarterback recruit. The interesting part is that he will make his first NFL start for the team that beat his father in his last NFL start. Gale Gilbert played in the NFL from 1985-1995. Against the Cowboys he completed 20/32 passes for 206 yards and three interceptions. He was sacked six times in that game. The Cowboys would go on to win the Super Bowl that year.
The final score in that game was 23-9 in favor of Dallas. Coincidentally enough that was the final score in last week’s game against the Philadelphia Eagles. In the days following that outcome it was reported that Garrett could be the starter for the game after a poor performance by rookie Ben DiNucci.