CORVALLIS, Ore. — Dillon Gabriel threw for 291 yards and two touchdowns and ran for 64 yards with another score to lead No. 9 Oregon to a 49-14 victory over rival Oregon State on Saturday.
Jordan James had 12 carries for 86 yards and two touchdowns and the Ducks improved to 3-0 in their first Big Ten season since dropping from the Pac-12.
It was the 128th meeting of the rivalry between the two former conference foes. The rivalry, formerly known as the “Civil War,” usually took place on Thanksgiving weekend and had never been played in September before.
Oregon, ranked No. 3 in the AP Top 25 in the preseason, struggled with disappointing wins against Idaho and Boise State to start the season. But the Ducks got their running game going against the Beavers, racking up 240 rushing yards, more than they had against the Vandals and Broncos combined.
Oregon State (2-1), playing under new coach Trent Bray, defeated both Idaho State and San Diego State to begin an unusual season as one of only two teams in the Pac-12.
Everett Hayes’ 43-yard field goal attempt on Oregon State’s first series of the game was blocked by Matayo Uiagalelei.
The Ducks took the lead on their first series with Jordan James’ 4-yard run, but the Beavers answered with Anthony Hankerson’s 6-yard touchdown sprint to tie the score at 7-7.
Gabriel took off and sprinted down the left sideline for a 54-yard touchdown run to put Oregon back in the lead. The two-point conversion was successful. Gabriel hit Traeshon Holden for a 20-yard touchdown pass to extend the lead.
Before the end of the first half, Oregon State scored a touchdown with Hankerson’s 1-yard run to make the score 22-14.
Oregon opened the second half with a 25-yard field goal by Atticus Sappington and then increased the lead to 32-14 with James’ second touchdown run.
Gabriel found Jayden Limar for a 65-yard touchdown pass that extended the game to 46-14 and all but sealed the victory early in the fourth quarter.
Oregon State quarterback Gevani McCoy completed 22 of 34 passes for 172 yards.
THE RESULT
Oregon: Oregon leads the series overall, 69-49-10, but Oregon State has won the last two games at Reser Stadium. The Ducks won last season’s game at Autzen Stadium, 31-7.
Oregon State: Beavers athletic director Scott Barnes met with reporters two days after the Pac-12’s two remaining teams – Oregon State and Washington State – announced they would revive the conference in 2026 with four members of the Mountain West: Boise State, Colorado State, Fresno State and San Diego State. Barnes said the Pac-12 wants to move quickly to add at least two more teams needed for the conference to gain NCAA recognition.
Next
Oregon: Off next weekend before visiting UCLA on September 28th.
Oregon State: Hosts Purdue next weekend.
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ANNE M. PETERSON
