It looks like UCF Knights QB Dillon Gabriel may be ready to retake the field sooner rather than later.

Head coach Gus Malzahn told reporters on Monday that Gabriel is back to practice, although he was quite coy about to what extent he is practicing:

Gabriel has been out of action since the Louisville game on September 17th, when he broke his clavicle on the last play of the game. The UConn game on Saturday would mark nine weeks since the injury, which was characterized as requiring an 8-10 week recovery time.

So there’s a chance we could see DG before the end of the season. Now, whether or not that’s this Saturday against UConn, Black Friday vs. South Florida, or the bowl game against whoever that would be is anyone’s guess at this point.

When would DG return?

To be honest, UConn would be a nice little tune-up for DG to come back before the War on I-4. The Huskies are a floating dumpster fire at 1-9, with their lone win coming against Yale by six points at home, and would provide some juicy cannon fodder for Gabriel to get his timing back.

South Florida, however, may be better than their 2-8 record indicates. Former Seminole High School QB Timmy McClain has performed admirably for the Bulls of late, throwing up 70 points combined the last two weeks against the top two teams in The American, Cincinnati and Houston.

UCF would still be favored against the Bulls, but it could be a bit risky for Gabriel to throw himself out there into a rivalry game environment cold with everyone in a green jersey aiming for him.

Gabriel’s return could give the Knights a leg up in what may be a tight War on I-4. But, let’s wait and see how this week goes.