Dillon Gabriel is ahead as No. 3 Oregon football passes No. 2 Ohio State

EUGENE – It didn't always look like “it was supposed to,” as Dillon Gabriel put it earlier this season when Oregon was still finding its collective footing.

There were two weeks of erratic and poor offensive line play, which impacted the sixth-year quarterback's ability to connect on deep throws. Then there were some explosive plays, including with Gabriel's feet, but he had a few forced throws inside the red zone that made wins at UCLA and over Michigan State more eventful than necessary.

There were no such problems on Saturday, as almost everything went as expected for the No. 3 Ducks as they secured a 32-31 victory over No. 2 Ohio State in front of a record crowd of 60,129 at Autzen Stadium in a signature Dan win Lanning era.

That's why Gabriel came to UO to finish his career, which began at UCF in 2019 and included two years at Oklahoma. Taking the reins from Bo Nix, playing behind perhaps the best offensive line of his career while being absolutely surrounded by the most skilled weapons of his career, and playing against a top-20 defense gave Gabriel the chance to play in big games and to reach the College Football Playoff championship.

Gabriel ensured he and the Ducks (6-0, 3-0 Big Ten) were in control of their destiny and fulfilled their potential by playing against the No. 1 defense in the country and helping UO gain 496 yards , the most the Buckeyes have allowed since the 2022 Peach Bowl against Georgia.

“It’s hard to replace experience,” Oregon coach Dan Lanning said. “This guy has been a part of some really big moments. Even though the stadium is full, it feels like Dillon is out there operating on an empty field. An empty stadium like this on Tuesday felt like it was just another high-level practice. To say that the next play is the most important, and he did that consistently tonight, to focus on what's next and how he can get there.”

Oregon (6-0, 3-0 Big Ten) at Purdue (1-5, 0-3)

• When: Friday, October 18th
• Time: 5:00 p.m. PT
• Where: Ross-Ade Stadium, West Lafayette, Indiana
• TV channels: NBC (KGW in Portland)
• Electricity: You can Watch this game live for FREE with Fubo (free trial) or with DirecTV Stream (free trial). If you already have a provider, you can also watch this game live on Fox Sports Live using your cable or satellite provider login details.
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Gabriel was 23 of 34 for 341 yards with two touchdowns and had 32 rushing yards and a score in his most productive performance of the season. It was also his best, although statistically not his most efficient.

“Every time I went and looked into his eyes tonight, I saw a man who was composed and ready for his next moment,” Lanning said. “He threw two touchdowns for 340 yards and had tremendous traction on that rundown in the red zone. He played really, really well tonight and had some really big moments.”

Ohio State (5-1, 2-1), which had not allowed a pass longer than 30 yards all season, allowed Gabriel to make four such throws. He scored a season-long 69-yarder to Evan Stewart and a 48-yard touchdown to Tez Johnson.

“They've always told us this week that they haven't really seen anyone like us,” said Stewart, who had seven catches for a career-high 149 yards and a touchdown. “If you look at the film of their past games, you say: Yes, that's the truth. We went into this game knowing that we are who we are and that they haven't seen us yet. So we’re going to give them a show.”

Although it was difficult for Gabriel to watch the closing moments of his recent big win, which ended with Ohio State quarterback Will Howard scrambling and slipping as time expired, he couldn't contain his emotions.

“Lots of f-bombs, but rightly so,” he said. “I know how much time and effort everyone puts into this, and that comes from the coaches, players, people and staff in this building who make the whole show run. “There's joy in winning, and you love it when your team is successful. I take the time to thank everyone who has helped us in some way to get to this point. When you win against a great opponent, you enjoy your time and we wake up tomorrow.”

Gabriel's 27-yard touchdown run on a read gave Oregon a 29-28 lead with 13:20 left. It was the type of game UO has had success with recently and Ohio State has been able to avoid so far. Gabriel made the right call when running back JT Tuimoloau fell and Gabriel got into a one-on-one duel with an OSU safety whose diving tackle missed. Gabriel got free through blocks on the right edge by Terrance Ferguson and Patrick Herbert.

Gabriel praised the coaches for identifying the most advantageous matchup in preparing for the biggest home game in program history and praised his teammates for helping make this game a reality.

“You hope you give your players a chance to see every look they might see within the week, but that's just the reality,” Lanning said. “So I don't know how many times Dillon actually saw the exact look of a close crash off the edge, but he did an incredible job of pulling the ball there in that moment, and then again if you look at that play , You're going to see guys with bodies on bodies at the end of the field, watching his back so he can make a big play.”

This was the type of performance that will put Gabriel, the preseason Heisman Trophy favorite, back in the conversation midway through the season.

“He showed toughness,” Johnson said. “He went up against a top-two opponent and beat him. That shows a lot. He is competitive. He’s ready to compete every time he steps on the field and the poise he showed throughout the game was incredible.”

Gabriel led Oklahoma to a comeback win over Texas in the Red River Rivalry last season. He experienced other significant moments and big games throughout his career. Where that rank falls during his short time at UO is obvious. Gabriel wouldn't say what his career will look like, but where it will be by the end of January is worth considering now because he and the Ducks are considered contenders.

“I think I learned a lot at each stop and more importantly, who I am as a person,” Gabriel said. “This is a real development as a player, but also as a person during this time. Now, at this point in my career, I appreciate where I am, the present, the people who work so hard that we can do what we do.

“I never take a day for granted, and that's because I know how hard it is to do what we do and how much time we put in and how tiring it is. It's something I love and was addicted to from the start. It's kind of my way of life. I enjoyed it in every way.”

— James Crepea covers that Oregon Ducks and Big Ten. Listen to this Ducks Confidential Podcast or subscribe Ducks Roundup Newsletter.