With another victory secured, sixth-ranked Oregon can now turn its attention to Ohio State and one of the most awaited games of the Ducks’ first season in the Big Ten.
Dillon Gabriel threw two touchdown passes and ran for another, helping Oregon stay unbeaten with a 31-10 win over Michigan State on Friday night.
Oregon is now 5-0 and 2-0 in the Big Ten as they prepare for next weekend’s home game against the third-ranked Buckeyes.
“You dream for moments like these and just games like this. I think everyone’s excited about it,” Gabriel said. “You look at what you can get better at, and put this game to rest, and then full steam ahead.”
Gabriel completed 20 of 32 passes for 257 yards, while Jordan James ran for a career-high 166 yards and another touchdown. Tez Johnson caught 10 passes for 81 yards and a touchdown.
This marked the third consecutive loss for Michigan State (3-3, 1-2), which was a disappointment for Jonathan Smith as he returned to Oregon after leaving Oregon State for the Spartans last November. Smith coached the Beavers for six seasons, going 2-4 against the Ducks.
Both teams started the game sloppily. Gabriel had two interceptions, and the Spartans fumbled the ball just before scoring in the first half. “I just think sometimes my eyes are bigger than my stomach in the red zone,” Gabriel said.
Michigan State, which lost the football three times in the red zone against Ohio State last week, was ranked No. 123 in the nation for red zone offense (66.7%). The Spartans came into this game with 13 turnovers, the third most in the nation.
“When you play really good teams, the small errors are going to get exposed, the execution is going to get tougher. And we’re not there yet,” Smith said.
Michigan State quarterback Aidan Chiles connected with Nick Marsh for a 44-yard pass, putting the Spartans on the Oregon 2-yard line. However, on the next play, Chiles fumbled the ball while trying to keep it himself, and it was recovered by Oregon’s Jordan Burch.
The Ducks had their own issues with turnovers. Gabriel’s pass to the end zone was picked off by Malik Spencer midway through a messy first quarter.
Traeshon Holden fell but still caught a 37-yard pass from Gabriel while lying on the ground. Gabriel took a hard hit from former Oregon linebacker Anthony Jones right after the throw but returned a play later and ran for a 9-yard touchdown to give the Ducks the lead.
“Big hits are natural and it’s a physical game,” Gabriel said. “You’ve got to keep swinging. It don’t stop and the clock’s continuing to tick. So I’ve got a job to do, and that’s playing quarterback for our guys.”
Gabriel was intercepted again by Michigan State’s Charles Brantley in the red zone during the second quarter.
James, who rushed for 151 yards in the first half, scored a 3-yard touchdown, putting the Ducks up 14-0.
Evan Stewart caught a 9-yard touchdown pass from Gabriel just five seconds before halftime. Andrew Boyle added a 50-yard field goal in the middle of the third quarter. Johnson caught a 2-yard touchdown pass early in the fourth to make it 31-0.
Michigan State avoided a shutout with a 1-yard touchdown from Kay’Ron Lynch Adams in the fourth quarter. Jonathan Kim also added a 42-yard field goal with 25 seconds left in regulation.
The Ducks are now preparing for an important home game against Ohio State. Oregon had some average wins against Idaho and Boise State at the start of the season but has since found their rhythm in their first Big Ten season, winning comfortably against former Pac-12 rivals Oregon State, UCLA, and the Spartans.
Coach Dan Lanning said the team will enjoy Friday’s win until “about midnight” before focusing on the Buckeyes.
“There’s a reason they’re one of the best teams in the country, so it’s going to be a great challenge for us,” Lanning said.
