In a dominant display of offense, No. 1 Oregon cruised past No. 20 Illinois with a 38-9 victory on Saturday, extending their undefeated streak to eight games for the first time since 2013. Oregon’s senior quarterback, Dillon Gabriel, showcased his elite talent and furthered his case as a Heisman frontrunner by throwing for three touchdowns, running for another, and amassing 291 yards through the air.
Gabriel’s performance was pivotal as he finished 18-of-26, adding to his already impressive season and surpassing Timmy Chang on the NCAA’s all-time passing yards leaderboard. Gabriel, now with 17,236 career yards, trails only Case Keenum, who set the NCAA record with 19,217 yards. His poise in the pocket was evident as he capitalized on Illinois’ defensive lapses, consistently finding his receivers for big gains, including a standout performance from wide receiver Tez Johnson, who caught six passes for 102 yards and a touchdown.
The Ducks wasted no time asserting their dominance. Gabriel opened Oregon’s scoring with a 31-yard touchdown pass to Johnson on the first drive, which set the tone for the rest of the game. Oregon’s offensive rhythm continued as Gabriel connected with Justius Lowe for a 34-yard touchdown, marking Lowe’s first career score. The Ducks quickly built a 14-3 lead after Illinois kicker Davi Olano put his team on the board with a 38-yard field goal.
But Oregon’s offense remained relentless. Gabriel added a 7-yard rushing touchdown, weaving through Illinois’ defense, and running back Noah Whittington delivered a bruising 18-yard touchdown to stretch the lead. Whittington also secured a 2-yard touchdown reception, cementing a commanding 35-3 halftime lead for the Ducks.
Illinois, fresh off an upset over No. 24 Michigan, struggled to replicate that magic against the top-ranked Ducks. Quarterback Luke Altmyer threw for 161 yards, but the Illini could not find rhythm against Oregon’s fast, physical defense. Illinois had a brief spark in the third quarter when Ca’Lil Valentine’s rushing touchdown cut Oregon’s lead to 35-9, but they failed to build any sustained momentum.
Oregon’s defense was stifling in key moments, especially early in the third quarter when Illinois made it to Oregon’s 2-yard line but turned the ball over on downs. Despite a concerted effort to rally in the second half, Illinois couldn’t claw back against Oregon’s overwhelming lead.
With this win, Oregon remains perfect at 8-0 (5-0 in Big Ten play) and has now defeated three ranked opponents, underscoring their strength in their first season in the Big Ten. Two weeks prior, the Ducks scored a thrilling 32-31 victory over then-No. 2 Ohio State, propelling them to the top of the national rankings. Gabriel has been a major factor in the Ducks’ success, leading the country with a 77% completion rate alongside 18 passing touchdowns and five rushing scores.
Head coach Dan Lanning’s high-powered offense has consistently outmatched opponents, with the team racking up 527 yards of total offense against Illinois. Oregon’s defense has been equally impressive, including last week’s 35-0 shutout of Purdue, which showcased the balance that has turned the Ducks into a formidable national title contender.
The Ducks face an arduous stretch to maintain their unbeaten record and solidify their playoff position. Gabriel’s remarkable season continues to elevate Oregon, and with each win, he strengthens his case as a serious Heisman candidate. For Illinois, now 6-2 (3-2 in Big Ten play), the game marks a setback in their quest for a Big Ten title, though their season is far from over.
As Oregon keeps rolling, their offensive firepower and depth across the board hint at a team capable of going the distance. If they maintain this level of play, the Ducks will be a tough challenge for any opponent, inching closer to a spot in the College Football Playoff.
