FINAL: Oregon Ducks Beat Down Illinois Fighting Illini 38-9, Improve to 8-0

The No. 1 Oregon Ducks fired on all cylinders as they dominated the Illinois Fighting Illini 38-9. From an almost perfect performance by Dillon Gabriel, to an array of athletes balling out on Oregon's defense, there's a lot to be excited about.

Oct 26, 2024; Eugene, Oregon, USA; Oregon Ducks quarterback Dillon Gabriel (8) celebrates with wide receiver Evan Stewart (7) after scoring a touchdown during the first half against Illinois Fighting Illini at Autzen Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images / Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images

The No. 1 Oregon Ducks put a beatdown on the No. 20 Illinois Fighting Illini in front of their roaring fans in a sun-soaked Autzen Stadium. The Ducks put the Illini to bed 38-9.

Illinois is Oregon's third ranked opponent win of the season, after Oregon beat No. 17 Boise State and No. 4 Ohio State earlier in the season. This win for the Ducks makes Oregon 8-0 for the first time since 2013 and the fifth time on school history.

After the game, Oregon coach Dan Lanning spoke with the media.

"Pleased with our team's performance, and think we continue to see this team have growth and look for opportunities to get better," said Lanning. Obviously, going to be playing a little physical team next week, so I have to do a great job of continuing to tackle what we can improve."

Oregon head coach Dan Lanning talks to the referees as the No. 1 Oregon Ducks host the No. 21 Illinois Fighting Illini Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024 at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Ore. / Ben Lonergan/The Register-Guard / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

The Ducks dominated on both sides of the ball, starting with the offense. Dillon Gabriel played a nearly flawless game going 18-26 passing with 291 yards, three touchdowns, and just one interception at the beginning of the fourth quarter. Gabriel also used his legs to his advantage, picking up a seven yard rushing touchdown in the second quarter. Gabriel's performance this game is certainly going to drum up more Heisman Trophy buzz for the veteran quarterback.

Tez Johnson was easily Gabriel's top target of the night, with the senior wide receiver nabbing 102 yards off the passing game off seven targets and earning one touchdown. This is Johnson's fifth game in a row he's scored a touchdown for the Ducks.

Jordan James continued his dominance in the run game. The senior picked up 83-yards off 15 attempts, but it was Noah Whittington that shined as well with a touchdown receiving and a touchdown rushing.

On the defensive side, it seems like everyone got their lick. Tysheem Johnson, Derrick Harmon, Bryce Boettcher, Jeffrey Bassa, and Dontae Manning all had highlights throughout this contest. Compared to Oregon's 527 total yards, Illinois was only able to put up 293. Illinois was also 5-13 on third downs and 0-3 on fourth downs.

Oct 26, 2024; Eugene, Oregon, USA; Oregon Ducks quarterback Dillon Gabriel (8) runs his hand over a metal shaped O with teammates before a game against the Illinois Fighting Illini at Autzen Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images / Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images

---

OREGON WINS: OREGON 38, ILLINOIS 9

Q4 00:42: Joe Barna for Illinois down injured. Oregon caps off their final offensive drive with a hungry Da'Jaun Riggs cutting his teeth in the running game.

Q4 03:35: Luke Altmyer doesn't make pass to Aiden Laughery due to QB hurry by A'Mauri Washington. Turnover on downs.

Q4 06:18: Traeshon Holden not able to get the first down for Oregon. Turnover on downs.

Q4 08:12: Dillon Gabriel is on the sideline. Austin Novosad in at quarterback.

Q4 08:25: Sione Laulea intercepts Altmyer's pass at the Oregon 45-yard line and runs for 12 yards. Oregon's ball.

OREGON 38, ILLINOIS 9

Q4 09:06 OREGON SCORES: After three no huddle shotgun plays, Andrew Boyle kicks a 44-yard field goal for Oregon. This is their first points of the second half.

Q4 12:13: After an attempt by Illinois on fourth and 12, Illinois is forced to turnover on downs to Oregon on the Oregon 28-yard line.

Q4 13:03: Luke Altmyer sacked for loss of 5-yards by Bryce Boettcher. Second down. He's the fourth Duck to get a taste of a sack today.

Q4 14:03: Altmyer pass to Pat Bryant tackled to the ground by Dontae Manning and Tysheem Johnson. After extensive review, a targeting call on Tysheem Johnson is struck down. Bryant is helped off the field and heads to the locker room.

Q4 14:19: Dillon Gabriel pass intercepted by Tyson Rooks for a 27-yard return. Illinois' ball.

FOURTH QUARTER

OREGON 35, ILLINOIS 9

Q3 00:46 ILLINOIS SCORES: Ca'Lil Valentine rushes for a 4-yard touchdown. Two point conversion by Luke Altmyer fails.

Q3: Oregon issued an official sideline warning.

Q3 05:35: False start called on Brandon Henderson of Illinois. 5-yard loss for Illinois.

Q3 06:08: Unecessary roughness call on Derrick Harmon gives Illinois a first down and 15 yards. Dan Lanning pulls out Harmon.

Q3 07:33: After several missed connections from Dillon Gabriel to Justius Lowe, Oregon punts on downs to Illinois.

Q3 10:44: After making it all the way to the Oregon 2-yard line, Luke Altmyer's pass is broken up by Emar'rion Winston for a turnover on downs.

Q3 13:03: Luke Altmyer passes to Zakhari Franklin for a 44-yard gain.

Q3 13:27: Holding penalty on Brandon Johnson for a 10-yard gain and first down for Illinois.

THIRD QUARTER

HALFTIME

Q2 00:26: Derrick Harmon tackle puts the half to bed.

OREGON 35, ILLINOIS 3

Q2 00:29 OREGON SCORES: Dillon Gabriel passes to Noah Whittington with his right hand for a 2-yard Oregon touchdown. Dillon Gabriel is left handed. Sappington's kick is good.

Q2: Illinois' Tyler Strain goes down with an injury. Limps to sideline.

Q2 00:44: After the Ducks march down the field with a succession of signature short passes, Illinois calls a timeout, their official first timeout of the half.

Q2 01:42: Kaleb Patterson of Illinois is down on the field with a supposed knee injury. He's helped off the field.

Q2 01:54: Oregon calls a timeout.

Q2 02:00: Two minute timeout called after Jordan James 9-yard run.

Q2 02:38: Illinois punts on down to Oregon, Tez Johnson receives at Oregon 11-yard line.

Q2 03:23: After getting their first third down conversion of the game and an injury, Aidan Laughery is tackled for 1-yard loss by Nikko Reed. This Illinois drive also included a quarterback hurry by Teitum Tuioti.

OREGON 28, Illinois 3

Q2 06:13 OREGON SCORES: Noah Whittington runs over defenders to secure an 18-yard Oregon touchdown. Kick by Sappington is good.

Q2 09:24: Illinois punts on downs to Oregon, who picks it up at Oregon's 46-yard line.

Q2 09:42: 5-yard penalty against Illinois for a false start.

Q2 10:27: Luke Altmyer sacked for a 11-yard loss by Brandon Johnson and Devon Jackson. Fourth down for Illinois. Three Ducks have contributed to sacks so far this contest. Derrick Harmon picks up the ball and runs for the endzone. The fumble is not called.

Q2 11:20: Luke Altmyer tackled for a 1-yard loss by Matayo Uiagalelei.

OREGON 21, Illinois 3

Q2 12:22 OREGON SCORES: Dillon Gabriel uses his legs to run in a 7-yard touchdown, hopping over a defender. Oregon's drive included 8 plays for 65-yards. Kick is good.

Q2 15:00: Traeshon Holden false start penalty for a loss of 5-yards.

SECOND QUARTER

Q1 01:13: Dillon Gabriel sacked for a loss of 8-yards by Gabe Jacas.

OREGON 14, ILLINOIS 3

Q1 01:34 ILLINOIS SCORES: After a pair of incomplete passes from Luke Altmyer, Illinois scores a field goal.

Q1 03:42: After a direct snap to Jordan James doesn't pick up significant yardage, Oregon punts. Illinois' ball.

Q1 05:13: After a short drive, Tysheem Johnson intercepts Luke Altmyer. Oregon starts at their 14-yard line. This is Johnson's second interception this year.

OREGON 14, ILLINOIS 0

Q1 06:08 OREGON SCORES: Dillon Gabriel makes a deep pass to Justius Lowe for a 34-yard touchdown. This drive for Oregon was just under 3 minutes with 7 plays for 58 yards. Kick is good.

Q1 06:28: Oregon takes their first timeout of the half after a last minute substitution from Illinois.

Q1 08:54: After Derrick Harmon forces a fourth down with no gained yards, Illinois punts back to Oregon. Illinois is currently -5 total yards for their first drive.

Q1 10:21: Illinois quarterback Luke Altmyer sacked for a loss of 10-yards by Teitum Tuioti.

OREGON 7, ILLINOIS 0

Q1 11:02 OREGON SCORES: Dillon Gabriel passes to Tez Johnson for a 31-yard touchdown. Kick by Atticus Sappington is good. Johnson has scored at least one touchdown in five straight games.

Q1 15:00: Coin toss Illinois wins with a call for heads. Illinois defers. Oregon starts with the ball.

Pregame

Oregon is entering this contest on a hot streak after their first shutout on the road since 1992 when they beat the Purdue Boilermakers 35-0. Leading the charge is quarterback Dillon Gabriel, who put up 21-25 on passing attempts against the Boilermakers for 290 yards and two touchdowns. The ground game for Oregon has also significantly improved since the start of the season, helmed by a cohesive offensive line and star running back Jordan James. James, though reaching over 100 rushing yards in four of Oregon's seven victories so far, got a season low of 50 yards off ten carries against the Boilermakers. Nevertheless, Oregon is stacked in the ground game and passing game.

The Ducks' defense also had a strong showing against Purdue holding the Boilermakers to 93 passing yards and forcing them to go 4-12 on third down conversions and 0-3 on fourth down conversions. Teitum Tuitoti continues to lead the team in tackles like he regularly has done this season with six last game. Matayo Uiagalelei stepped in for an injured Jordan Burch to record two tackles for loss and a sack to start the Boilermakers' first offensive drive.

One thing to note is that go-to senior tight end Terrance Ferguson is out for this contest. Ferguson got his appendix removed the previous week and missed Oregon's most recent game against Purdue.

As for the Fighting Illini, they are 6-1 overall and 3-1 in the Big Ten, with their only loss coming from No.2 Penn State on the road. Quarterback Luke Altmyer is a solid play-caller and leader for the Fighting Illini going 21-27 in passing with 215 yards during Illinois' marquee win against Nebraska earlier in the season.

Earlier in the day on ESPN's College Gameday, every single analyst on the college football show and guest picker MLB star Kyle Schwarber chose Oregon to win against the Fighting Illini.

“Oregon, no doubt. They’re the number one team to me right now,” ESPN College Gameday analyst and former Alabama coach Nick Saban said.

---

MORE: Oregon Ducks' Dan Lanning Addresses Traeshon Holden Availability vs. Illinois

MORE: Washington Commanders' Marcus Mariota Starting vs. Bears After Jayden Daniels Injury?

MORE: Oregon Ducks, Illinois Injury Update: Terrance Ferguson, Gary Bryant Jr. Returning?

MORE: No. 1 Oregon Ducks vs. No. 20 Illinois, How to Watch, Preview, Prediction

MORE: Oregon Ducks' Loud Autzen Stadium Earning Reputation In Big Ten

MORE: Oregon Ducks Fans Color To Wear vs. Ohio State Buckeyes In Autzen Stadium

MORE: Oregon Ducks' Dillon Gabriel Compares Marriage Proposal to Win vs. Ohio State

MORE: Oregon Ducks Recruiting: Front-Runners For 5-Star Quarterback Jared Curtis? Georgia Decommit