Dillon Gabriel Thrills CFB Fans in Oregon’s Blowout Win vs. Purdue amid Heisman Race

Dillon Gabriel and the No. 2 Oregon Ducks rolled to a 35-0 road win over the Purdue Boilermakers on Friday evening.

Gabriel completed 21-of-25 passes for 290 yards, two touchdowns and one interception. It was an impressive follow-up performance after he helped lead the Ducks to a 32-31 win over the then-No. 2 Ohio State Buckeyes last Saturday.

The left-hander’s best throw was a 49-yard drop in the bucket to Evan Stewart to set up a Jordan James touchdown in the first quarter.

James scored another first-quarter rushing touchdown en route to a 14-0 edge. Gabriel later helped put Oregon up 21-0 with this toss to Tez Johnson, who ran 12 yards for another score.

Oregon took a 21-0 lead into halftime and later made it a four-score game with another great throw from Gabriel, who found Noah Whittington for eight yards in the fourth quarter.

Jay Harris’ 12-yard touchdown run and the ensuing PAT closed the scoring and gave Oregon the 35-0 win.

Credit goes to Oregon’s pass defense as well, as the Ducks held Purdue quarterback Ryan Browne to a 9-of-19 evening for 93 yards and one interception.

But Gabriel continued to impress for the Ducks, who are very much looking like a legitimate national title threat in year one of their Big Ten era.

Gabriel also is very squarely looking like a Heisman finalist alongside players such as Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty, Colorado two-way star Travis Hunter and Miami signal-caller Cam Ward.

For now, fans were impressed with Gabriel’s efforts.

The Ducks will now return home to play Illinois on Saturday, Oct. 26.