Eugene, OR – On a picture-perfect Saturday afternoon, the No. 2 Oregon Ducks extended their winning streak with a decisive 38-9 victory over the No. 4 Illinois Fighting Illini at Autzen Stadium. The win, witnessed by over 59,000 roaring fans, pushed Oregon’s season record to 8-0, while Illinois dropped to 6-2.
The Ducks carried their momentum from a 35-0 shutout against Purdue the previous week, coming out strong with an explosive offensive display. Oregon controlled the first half, putting up 35 unanswered points, including 21 in the second quarter alone.
The game opened with the Ducks receiving the kickoff and starting their first drive at their own 17-yard line. Meanwhile, Illinois’s offense struggled to find rhythm, managing just 17 completions on 35 pass attempts. These difficulties gave Oregon multiple opportunities to capitalize, and they did so with a touchdown by kick returner Noah Whittington, extending their lead to 28-3.
“Each week is important within itself,” said Dillion Gabriel, who transferred to Oregon from Oklahoma for his sixth season of eligibility. “I think you’ve got to live that life of being present. It’s very easy to say and hard to do.”
Illinois showed brief signs of life by advancing the ball but failed to close the gap before halftime. Oregon responded with another touchdown, sending both teams to the locker room with the Ducks leading 35-3.
The second half saw a drop in intensity from the Ducks. Head coach Dan Lanning acknowledged the slower pace, commenting on the “lull in the second half,” though he remained pleased with the overall performance.
Illinois opened the third quarter at their own 25-yard line and managed to piece together a scoring drive, capped by a touchdown run from Ca’Lil Valentine to bring the score to 35-9. However, their comeback efforts stalled as Oregon’s defense held firm, limiting the Illini’s offense and forcing multiple turnovers.
Oregon’s offense found a spark late in the game, adding a field goal to finalize the 38-9 victory.
“I thought our guys really took that to heart and did some things, we just couldn’t capitalize,” Bielema said. “Any time you have two or three opportunities when you walk away zero points inside the red area, you’re not going to win many games, let alone against the No. 1 team in the country.”
The Ducks dominated in key areas, racking up 229 rushing yards compared to Illinois’s 132. Oregon’s defense also shined, intercepting two passes and capitalizing on Illinois’s penalties and miscues.
Looking ahead, the Ducks will face their toughest challenge yet, traveling to Ann Arbor on November 2 to take on the No. 9 Michigan Wolverines.
Despite their undefeated season, both Coach Lanning and quarterback Dillon Gabriel remain focused. “We don’t care that we’re number one,” Gabriel said. “We just want to win football games.”
UP NEXT:
No. 2 Oregon Ducks vs. No. 9 Michigan Wolverines – November 2.
