Oregon Ducks Stun Ohio State: Dillon Gabriel Shines in One-Point Thriller
Dillon Gabriel led the Oregon Ducks to a thrilling 32-31 victory over the Ohio State Buckeyes, cementing his place as the team’s key playmaker in his first major game since transferring to Oregon. The third-ranked Ducks overcame a late Ohio State surge to maintain their unbeaten record and advance in the Big Ten title race, solidifying their standing as one of the top teams in the country.
Gabriel, who has played for UCF and Oklahoma, made his 55th career start in this high-stakes contest. The seasoned quarterback delivered a performance for the ages, completing 23 of 34 passes for 341 yards and two touchdowns. However, it was his game-winning drive late in the fourth quarter that defined the game and his leadership. Gabriel led the Ducks down the field with just under two minutes remaining, setting up a clutch 19-yard field goal by kicker Atticus Sappington that gave Oregon the edge. The victory pushed Oregon’s record to 6-0, keeping them in pole position in the Big Ten and in the hunt for a spot in the College Football Playoff.
The game itself was a battle between two heavyweight programs, each vying for control in a top-three showdown. Ohio State came into the game ranked second in the country, but the Ducks, behind Gabriel’s heroics, overcame multiple lead changes in a game that lived up to its billing. “We all knew we were getting into a dogfight, two heavyweights going at it,” Gabriel said postgame. “That’s what college football is all about.”
Gabriel’s journey has been unique, traveling from Orlando (where he played for UCF) to Norman (with Oklahoma) and now to Eugene with Oregon. Despite the different locales, one thing remains consistent — Gabriel’s ability to rise to the occasion. After a relatively slow start to the season, Gabriel reinserted himself into the Heisman Trophy conversation with this stellar outing. His standout moment came in the fourth quarter when he rushed for a 27-yard touchdown on a brilliant fake handoff, which fooled Ohio State’s defense and gave Oregon a 29-25 lead. That play also marked Gabriel’s entry into the record books, making him the first FBS player to pass for 125 touchdowns and rush for 30 touchdowns in his career.
“He played really, really well tonight,” Oregon coach Dan Lanning said. “He had some really big moments.”
The biggest moment, however, came on Oregon’s final drive. Trailing 31-29 with six minutes left, Gabriel completed five consecutive passes, methodically moving the Ducks downfield. Though the drive ultimately stalled at Ohio State’s one-yard line, Sappington’s field goal gave the Ducks the lead. Ohio State had a chance to win, driving into Oregon territory with under two minutes to play, but a costly offensive pass interference penalty on wide receiver Jeremiah Smith pushed the Buckeyes out of field goal range. On the game’s final play, Ohio State quarterback Will Howard scrambled but slid short of the end zone as time expired, sealing the Ducks’ victory.
Tez Johnson, Gabriel’s top receiver, noted his quarterback’s poise throughout the game, especially in the critical moments. Johnson’s 48-yard touchdown catch in the second quarter helped give Oregon a 22-21 lead going into halftime, setting the tone for the rest of the contest. “He went out there against a top-two opponent and beat them,” Johnson said. “That shows a lot right there. … The poise he had the entire game was unbelievable.”
The game was not without drama on Ohio State’s side. The Buckeyes rallied from an early deficit to take a 31-29 lead, fueled by Howard’s accurate passing and their stout defense. However, Oregon’s defense stepped up when it mattered most, particularly after the costly penalty that derailed Ohio State’s final drive.
Oregon’s win puts them in control of their destiny in the Big Ten and the national championship picture. The Ducks are one of only three undefeated teams in the conference, alongside Penn State and Indiana, though they don’t face either of those teams in the regular season. Despite the victory, Gabriel and his teammates know the season is far from over. “We’ve got a long way to go,” Gabriel said. “But this is a step in the right direction.”
As Gabriel reflected on his journey from UCF to Oklahoma to Oregon, he couldn’t help but appreciate where he is now. “I’ve learned a lot at each stop and, more importantly, who I am as a person,” Gabriel said. “I’ve loved every bit of it.”
The Ducks, led by Gabriel’s steady hand and big-game experience, remain firmly in the hunt for college football’s biggest prize. For now, though, they’ll savor this win against a top-tier opponent.
WHAT A CATCH
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OREGON STRIKES BACK
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JEREMIAH SMITH
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OHIO STATE TAKES THE LEAD
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