[WATCH] Oregon Ducks quarterback Dillon Gabriel jokes about switching to running back

The No. 9 Oregon Ducks dominated the Oregon State Beavers in a 49-14 victory that was their largest margin of victory since 2018. The Ducks desperately needed to show improvement on offense after narrowly defeating their first two unranked opponents in the 2024 college football season.

It's safe to say that Oregon's offense was booming at Oregon State.

The Ducks posted season highs in points (49), total yards (546) and rushing yards (240). The offensive line did not allow a sack or a quarterback hurry for the first time this season (six sacks were allowed in the first two weeks).

Impressively, Oregon did not punt in the game and scored on every possession.

The Ducks also showed explosive plays, finishing the game with ten plays of over 20 yards after managing only six such plays in the first two games of the season.

Quarterback Dillon Gabriel finished the game completing 20 of 24 passes for 291 yards and two touchdowns, as well as 64 yards on four carries and a touchdown. Gabriel started a game with 15 consecutive successful passes, a career high. He has completed at least 83 percent of his passes in all three games this season.

After the convincing win, Gabriel joked that he should switch to the running back position, evaluated his offensive line and revealed what had changed for Oregon in Week 3.

Q: What was it like using your legs more in this game?

Gabriel: It feels good. I think a lot of people want me to be a running back. I think in this day and age of college football, they want quarterbacks to run. But I think that's also when it's needed. I think when we get into certain situations, I trust my legs, but I also trust everybody else up front to help me.

Q: How important was it that the guys gave you the winning lead on your 54-yard run?

Gabriel: It's all about blocks. I didn't get touched while running. It's things that people don't see that help me make that play. I'm just proud of the guys up front, just the way they fought and continue to fight. It was great to see that.

Q: What did the offensive line do to prevent you from being sacked?

Gabriel: I'll start on my side. I think I try to get completions and get the ball out, but I also move when I need to and don't stay in the pocket when I don't have to. I think the pass defense was good all day. I don't think I was really affected. I can't express how proud I am of them. They just keep fighting. Those are five guys you want to fight with, or six or seven. I wouldn't want to do it with anyone else.

Q: What clicked on the offensive?

Gabriel: A lot. I'd love to tell you, but then the secret Krabby Patty formula is out. In daily practice, we've changed things that could help and benefit us, and that goes for each individual position group and then for us as a unit and then obviously for us as a whole team. I think we'll continue to make adjustments and that doesn't stop, but of course you find the formula for your group and build from there.

Q: Are you finally feeling comfortable out there today?

Gabriel: I think I've always thought that way, but more importantly, I always tell the O-line, “If you give me the time, I'll do the crime.” They continued to do that. I'm proud of them. I think it shows that in every offense, there's an offensive line that plays at a high level. That allows the quarterback to play efficiently and cleanly, and of course the run game, when it's going as well as it did… They rocked it.

Q: You described the games against Boise State and Idaho as “grueling.” How would you describe today’s win?

Gabriel: Explosive. Explosive plays help you. That's what we were lacking in the beginning, but now you see that happening. A four-play drive instead of 15. I think that's common sense. It's easier to screw up with 15 plays than with four. I think explosive plays help you. They create momentum and rhythm. It allows you to be more on the plus side of the field. There's just a lot that goes with that.