Fans at Autzen Stadium expecting fireworks from third-ranked Oregon didn’t get all they’d hoped for, but the Ducks began their Big Ten era with a 24-14 home win over Idaho on Saturday in Eugene, Ore.
New Oregon quarterback Dillon Gabriel, a transfer from Oklahoma playing his sixth college season, completed 41 of 49 passes for 380 yards with two touchdowns, including a 12-yard connection with Tez Johnson with 5:36 to play that sealed the Ducks’ win.
The play was reviewed and upheld, as Johnson was close to the sideline near the goal line but touched the pylon.
Idaho had cut the lead to 17-14 with 9:45 left on quarterback Jack Layne’s 4-yard touchdown run, but Oregon had an answer and avoided the upset.
Gabriel finished his first drive as a Duck by throwing a 7-yard touchdown pass to Johnson, one of Oregon’s top receivers from 2023.
The Vandals cut a 14-0 lead to 14-7 with Layne’s flea-flicker 36-yard pass to Jake Cox for a touchdown at the 4:15 mark of the third quarter. Layne finished 11-for-25 passing for 168 yards.
Atticus Sappington made a 26-yard field goal early in the fourth quarter after the Ducks stalled in the red zone, making it 17-7.
Oregon got an early scare when Gabriel’s left hand – his throwing hand – banged off the helmet of an Idaho pass rusher on the Ducks’ second possession of the game. A trainer tended to Gabriel, but he returned on the next offensive possession.
Oregon defensive back Brandon Johnson thwarted a potential Vandals game-tying scoring drive when he turned around at the last moment to intercept a pass into the end zone from Layne.
Jordan James ran for a 6-yard touchdown to cap off the Ducks’ ensuing eight-play, 80-yard drive to make it 14-0 with seven minutes to go in the first half.
Oregon outgained Idaho 296-113 in the first half as Gabriel completed 22 of his 27 passes but was sacked twice and lost a fumble.
The Vandals’ defense continued to frustrate the Ducks in the third quarter, during which Oregon failed on a fake punt attempt.
The Ducks’ defense was stout, however, forcing seven punts and two turnovers, including a late interception in the fourth quarter.
–Field Level Media
