Oregon 31-10 Michigan State (Oct. 4, 2024) Game Recap

EUGENE, Ore. – With another win in hand, sixth-seeded Oregon can now look forward to Ohio State and one of the most anticipated games of the Ducks' first season in the Big Ten.

Dillon Gabriel threw two touchdown passes and ran for another to help Oregon remain undefeated with a 31-10 victory over Michigan State on Friday night.

Oregon is now 5-0 and 2-0 in the Big Ten heading into next weekend's home game against the third-ranked Buckeyes.

“You dream of moments like this and games like this. I think everyone is excited,” Gabriel said. “You look at what you can get better at, let the game rest and then go full steam ahead.”

Gabriel completed 20 of 32 passes for 257 yards, and Jordan James ran for a career-high 166 yards and another score. Tez Johnson caught 10 passes for 81 yards and a TD.

It was the third straight loss for Michigan State (3-3, 1-2) and wiped out Jonathan Smith's return to Oregon State after he left Oregon State to join the Spartans last November. Smith coached the Beavers for six seasons, going 2-4 against the Ducks.

At the beginning it was sloppy on both sides. Gabriel had two interceptions and the Spartans fumbled the ball just before scoring in the first half.

“I just sometimes think that my eyes are bigger than my stomach in the red zone,” Gabriel said.

Michigan State, which lost the red zone football three times in the first half against Ohio State last week, ranked 123rd nationally for red zone offense (66.7%). The Spartans entered the game with 13 turnovers, third most in the country.

“When you play against really good teams, the little mistakes are exposed and execution becomes more difficult. And we’re not there yet,” Smith said.

Michigan State quarterback Aidan Chiles hit Nick Marsh with a 44-yard pass to get the Spartans to the Oregon 2, but on the next play Chiles fumbled a keeper at the goal line and it was recovered by Oregon's Jordan Burch.

The ball losses also hurt the Ducks. Gabriel's pass into the end zone was intercepted by Malik Spencer midway through the sloppy first quarter.

Traeshon Holden stumbled and fell, but still managed to catch a 37-yard pass from Gabriel while he was lying on the turf. Gabriel was hit hard by former Oregon linebacker Anthony Jones after making the throw, but came back one 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 have to keep swinging. It doesn't stop and the clock keeps ticking. So I have a job to do and that is to play quarterback for our guys.”

Gabriel was intercepted again in the red zone by Michigan State's Charles Brantley in the second quarter.

James, who rushed for 151 yards in the first half, ran for a 3-yard TD to give the Ducks a 14-0 lead.

Evan Stewart caught a 9-yard scoring pass from Gabriel five seconds before halftime. Andrew Boyle hit a 50-yard field goal midway through the third. Johnson caught a 2-yard scoring pass early in the fourth to make the Ducks' lead 31-0.

Michigan State avoided the shutout with Kay'Ron Lynch Adams' 1-yard TD in the fourth quarter. Jonathan Kim made a 42-yard field goal with 25 seconds left in regulation.

The Ducks now face a meaningful home game against Ohio State. Oregon had weak wins against Idaho and Boise State to start the season, but has since started its first Big Ten season with comfortable wins against former Pac-12 rival Oregon State, UCLA and the Spartans.

Coach Dan Lanning said the team will celebrate Friday's win until “about midnight” before turning its attention to the Buckeyes.

“There's a reason they're one of the best teams in the country, so it's going to be a big challenge for us,” Lanning said.

souvenir

Michigan State: The Spartans have lost all four of their all-time visits to Autzen Stadium. … Chiles was sacked four times by the Ducks. … Michigan State had just 59 yards rushing in the game. … Tight end Jack Velling said: “The defense backed us up, we just have to finish better.”

Oregon: All three of Gabriel's interceptions came in the red zone. … Jordan Burch had 2 1/2 sacks and a fumble recovered. … The Ducks wore a yellow Nike “Heroes” uniform Friday, designed by Lanning's family to honor those who have battled cancer. Lanning's wife, Sauphia, was treated for bone cancer in 2017. Three cancer patients rang a bell during the game to show that their treatment was complete.

NEXT

Michigan State: The Spartans have a bye next weekend before hosting Iowa on Oct. 19.

Oregon: The Ducks host No. 3 Ohio State next Saturday.

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