After a somewhat disappointing start to their first Big Ten season, the ninth-ranked Oregon Ducks got back on track against their old rivals.
Dillon Gabriel threw for 291 yards and two touchdowns and ran for 64 yards with another score, leading Oregon to a 49-14 victory over Oregon State on Saturday.
Jordan James rushed 12 times for 86 yards and two touchdowns, and the Ducks improved to 3-0 in their first Big Ten season after the Pac-12 ended.
This was the 128th game in the rivalry between the two teams, which was formerly called the Civil War. It was usually played over Thanksgiving weekend but had never been played in September before.
Oregon, ranked No. 3 in the preseason AP Top 25, had struggled with less impressive wins over Idaho and Boise State at the start of the season. However, they managed to get their running game going against the Beavers with 240 rushing yards, more than they had against Idaho and Boise State combined.
“I feel like we played to our standard today,” Ducks coach Dan Lanning said.
Oregon accumulated 546 total offensive yards compared to the Beavers’ 309. Gabriel completed 20 of 24 passes.
Oregon State (2-1), under new coach Trent Bray, had won against Idaho State and San Diego State at the start of what is an unusual season with only two teams remaining in the Pac-12. The Beavers’ running game, which was strong in the first two games, only managed 131 rushing yards in this game.
“I think when you’re playing a group as skilled as they are, you’ve got to be at your best, and we just weren’t today,” Bray said.
Everett Hayes’ 43-yard field goal attempt on Oregon State’s first drive was blocked by Matayo Uiagalelei.
The Ducks took the lead with Jordan James’ 4-yard run on their first drive, but the Beavers responded with Anthony Hankerson’s 6-yard touchdown run to tie the game at 7.
Gabriel then sprinted up the left sideline for a 54-yard touchdown run, putting Oregon back in the lead. The two-point conversion was successful.
