Oregon football found the chemistry they have been looking for. It was a game versus Oregon State, one where you want to win for more than just the 'W' but also for pride. The Ducks, after a slow start, found their ground game and ended up with a blowout win over the Beavers on Saturday afternoon at Reser Stadium in Corvallis.
Dillon Gabriel was a key player for the Ducks, again completing better than 80 percent of his passes and also showing off his legs and speed for a long touchdown run. It was not a game where he had to throw the ball in a dogfight like last week (over for attempts). It was a more clinical approach for the Ducks quarterback. He was 20-for-24 through the air.
Oregon was also able to get the ground game going vs the Beavers. Gabriel was just behind Jordan James and Noah Whittington in helping Oregon to over 200 yards rushing. James had two touchdowns, along with one by Whittington. Gabriel was responsible for two scores through the air and one on the ground in the blowout win.
The Ducks were able to find a way for balance on their offensive line which certainly helped pave the way against Oregon State. Oregon had two sacks on Oregon State quarterback Gevani McCoy and was able to keep Gabriel clean for the first game this season. For the third straight game, Gabriel completed better than 80 percent of his passes throwing the ball to nine different receivers who were responsible for over 180 yards after the catch.
There have been sone injuries since the start of the season and some guys on the team who are not 100 percent. Oregon now takes a 3-0 record into their first bye week of 2024 to get healthy before opening Pac-12 play.
Oregon faces a road trip to UCLA in just about two weeks time before two key home games hosting Michigan State (Friday game) and Ohio State at Autzen Stadium.