Top-ranked Oregon is one step closer to a Big Ten Conference Championship Game berth after a 38-17 victory over Michigan at Michigan Stadium on Saturday.
With the win, the Ducks moved to 9-0 on the season — including a 6-0 mark in Big Ten play — while the Wolverines fell to 5-4 and 3-3 against conference opponents. Oregon utilized a 21-point second quarter to pull away from the Wolverines, maintaining a 28-10 lead into halftime before closing things out in the second half.
Oregon was led by quarterback Dillon Gabriel, who threw for 294 yards and a touchdown while adding 23 yards and a score with his legs. While Gabriel led the Ducks’ offensive efforts through the air, running back Jordan James rushed for 117 yards and a touchdown while fellow running back Noah Whittington added a pair of touchdowns on the ground.
The efforts of Gabriel, James and Whittington helped the Ducks outgain Michigan 470-270 while capturing 23 first downs to the Wolverines’ 11.
Michigan once again put the ball in quarterback Davis Warren’s hands, and the former walk-on produced 165 yards and two touchdowns while completing 13 of 23 pass attempts. Unsurprisingly, tight end Colston Loveland was Warren’s favorite target against the Ducks — collecting 112 yards on seven catches.
Oregon returns to the comforts of Autzen Stadium next week, where the Ducks will take on Maryland at 7 p.m. on Big Ten Network. The Wolverines will face another undefeated team for the second-straight game next week, traveling to Bloomington, Ind., to play No. 13 Indiana.
