The Oregon Ducks celebrated another victory on Saturday afternoon. The top-ranked Ducks improved to 8-0 with an impressive 38-9 win over the 20th-ranked Illinois Fighting Illini. Oregon looked like the better team from end to end, and hardly anyone could dispute it. Star quarterback Dillon Gabriel impressed yet again and, along the way, made history.
Gabriel finished with 291 passing yards against the Illini. Along the way, he became the NCAA’s second-leading passer in history.
Gabriel was instrumental in the win, throwing for three scores in yet another outstanding showing.
🗣️ DILLON GABRIEL
Second-most passing yards in FBS history 👏 pic.twitter.com/tttOO8Ot4K
— ESPN College Football (@ESPNCFB) October 26, 2024
After a slow start, Gabriel and Oregon are rolling right along. The 8-0 Ducks haven’t missed a beat in several weeks after two tough battles to start the year against Idaho and Boise State. Oregon had National Championship aspirations in their first season in the Big Ten Conference. So far, they have looked every bit of that contender type.
Gabriel has one of the best supporting casts in the country. Tez Johnson, Evan Stewart, Terrance Ferguson, Jordan James, and Noah Whittington are just some of the names around him. Oregon might have a few challenges along the way as they look to win the program’s first-ever National Championship. If Gabriel continues playing like he did against Illinois, the Ducks may indeed check off that final box.
