No. 1 Oregon lived up to that ranking in its first game since taking the top spot in the AP Top 25. The Ducks defeated No. 20 Illinois decisively in Eugene, 38–9.
Oregon (8–0, 5–0 Big Ten) compiled 469 yards of total offense on Saturday, led by quarterback Dillon Gabriel throwing for 291 yards, three touchdowns and an interception on 18-for-26 passing. He also ran for a seven-yard score. Gabriel was taken out with 8:12 left in the game.
Receiver Tez Johnson had six receptions for 102 yards, while running back Jordan James rushed for 83 yards on 15 carries.
With their toughest Big Ten tests against Ohio State and Illinois now passed, a 12–0 regular season record and place in the College Football Playoff appear imminent for Oregon. Road games at Michigan and Wisconsin, and home matchups with Maryland and Washington remaining on the Ducks’ schedule.
Dillon Gabriel now No. 2 in NCAA all-time TD passes
With his three touchdown throws, Gabriel moved into second place on the NCAA all-time list.
Gabriel’s first TD pass came on Oregon’s opening possession, completing a nine-play, 83-yard drive by hitting Tez Johnson for a 31-yard score.
On the Ducks’ next series, Gabriel found Justius Lowe deep down the middle for a 34-yard TD.
And just before halftime, Noah Whittington caught a two-yard pass from Gabriel for another Oregon touchdown. Gabriel also ran for a score in the first half, putting the Ducks up 21–3.
Gabriel’s third TD pass moved him past Boise State‘s Kellen Moore for second in career TD passes with 143. Gabriel has reached his total in 58 games, while Moore appeared in 53.
The only man in front of Gabriel now is Case Keenum, who threw 155 TD passes in five seasons (57 games) at Houston.
Gabriel now has 18 touchdown passes in his lone season at Oregon, along with 55 in his two years at Oklahoma and 70 during three seasons at UCF.