Dillon Gabriel leaves legacy on Big Ten as Ducks approach Playoffs
Oregon quarterback Dillon Gabriel scrambles out of the pocket during the fourth quarter of the Big Ten Championship Game against Penn State Saturday December 7, 2024 at Lucas Oil Stadium. (Lynn Harrington/stayaliveinpower5)
INDIANAPOLIS — Although the Oregon quarterback just completed his lone season in the Big Ten, he made an impact on the conference, and College Football as a whole with a stellar career.
After all, Dillon Gabriel has already set an NCAA record for total touchdowns, led the No. 1 Ducks to their first 13-0 start in school history, captured a Big Ten Title and his team is the top seed in the Playoffs. From the outside looking in, it seems like Gabriel is accomplishing everything a student-athlete could desire.
He’s even having more success than his predecessor Bo Nix, and it appears the best is yet to come. Oregon took down Penn State 45-37 Saturday night, and Gabriel left a lasting impression with four touchdown passes, including three in the first half. His impressive performance shouldn’t come as a surprise, considering Gabriel is the Big Ten’s Quarterback of the Year.
The numbers don’t lie, and Gabriel clearly took the conference by storm this season. The Hawaii native leads the Big Ten in total offense, passing yards, touchdown tosses and completion percentage. From leading the nation in passing yards per game at UCF in 2019, to earning first-team, All-Big 12 honors at Oklahoma in 2023, everything is coming full circle for Gabriel at Oregon in 2024.
Saturday’s victory at Lucas Oil Stadium was the first time Gabriel won a conference title. He celebrated with his teammates, and fiance Zo Caswell as the green and yellow confetti fell from the ceiling.
“In a lifetime of being a kid and throwing in the front yard, or in the street, you dream of these moments and want to be in them,” Gabriel said. “I just want to take full advantage of it, especially when we go to work with these guys and see how much time and effort everyone puts into this thing.”
He’s a gunslinger that makes others around him better, and the rest of Oregon’s offense feeds off his energy. Which is why Gabriel is one of four Heisman finalists, and will make that historic trip to New York for the annual ceremony later this week. Now he’s attempting to be the Ducks’ first Heisman winner since Marcus Mariota accomplished that feat in 2014.
However, Gabriel still has unfinished business on the gridiron. Leading Oregon to its’ first-ever National Championship will do wonders for the program moving forward. Coach Dan Lanning understands how bad Gabriel wants to change the narrative on the Ducks falling in big games. He’s also confident that Gabriel has what it takes to get Oregon to the finish line, and will build off his last outing.
“This guy deserves every single thing that comes his way, and I told him that earlier this week when he got player of the year in the Big Ten,” Lanning said. “If anybody can’t watch that performance and recognize how special he is, this team believes in him, and they’re grateful every day they get to step on the field with him.”
The Ducks continue to navigate through a magical season, and Gabriel is having an unforgettable campaign. Not to mention Oregon is the top seed in the Playoffs, so it’ll sit out the first round, and be back at Autzen Stadium for the second round. Gabriel isn’t taking anything for granted though, despite the fact that all eyes will be on him over the next few weeks.
He’s due for more accolades too. There’s no denying that the 23-year old wears the Oregon uniform with pride, and Gabriel can’t wait to take center stage with his teammates in the Playoffs.
“You just want to represent them the right way, and I look at this and I look at just a bunch of guys with something to prove and an edge to them that wants to be great.”
