Dillon Gabriel and Jordan James led No. 6 Oregon to a 31-10 win over Michigan State

EUGENE, Ore. (AP) — Dillon Gabriel threw two touchdown passes and ran for another to help No. 6 Oregon remain undefeated with a 31-10 victory over Michigan State on Friday night.

Gabriel completed 20 of 32 passes for 257 yards. Jordan James ran for 166 yards for another score for the Ducks (5-0, 2-0 Big Ten).

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.

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.

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, but came back one play later – and ran for a 9-yard touchdown to give the Ducks the lead.

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

Jordan James rushed for a 3-yard TD to give the Ducks a 14-0 lead. The running back had rushed for 151 yards in the first half but appeared to be suffering a right knee injury.

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. Tez 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 third-ranked 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.

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.

Oregon: All three of Gabriel's interceptions came in the red zone. … 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.

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.