From the outset, the game had a different energy. Oregon’s defense came out aggressive and relentless, setting the tone for their dominant 49-21 victory over Washington. The Ducks set a team record with ten sacks in the game. Dillon Gabriel contributed a rushing touchdown in the first half, while Noah Whittington scored Oregon’s opening touchdown. Jordan James added two first-half scores, finishing the game with 99 rushing yards.
Unlike their last three meetings with Washington, this win was decisive. Oregon’s offense wasted no time, easily scoring on their first drive. However, it was the Ducks’ defense that truly stood out. The return of Jordan Burch bolstered their pass rush; Burch recorded 2.5 sacks and 2.5 tackles for loss after recovering from an ankle injury. Oregon’s rush defense was equally dominant, holding the Huskies to just 43 rushing yards. Washington running back Adam Mohammed managed only 23 yards on four carries, and quarterback Demond Williams Jr. gained just 17 yards on 22 attempts. Despite the pressure, Williams excelled in the passing game, completing 17 of 20 throws for 201 yards and a touchdown.
On offense, Oregon quarterback Dillon Gabriel was highly efficient, completing 16 of 23 passes for 209 yards and a touchdown, along with a rushing score. The Ducks leaned heavily on their ground game, scoring five rushing touchdowns compared to two through the air. Tez Johnson, returning from injury, made key contributions with several important catches and a touchdown.
With this emphatic win, Oregon claimed the top national ranking and secured a spot in the Big Ten Championship Game on Saturday, Dec. 7, against Penn State in Indianapolis. The game kicks off at 5 p.m. PT on CBS following Michigan’s victory over Ohio State.
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