Gabriel so steady
Dillon Gabriel's extensive experience is a big reason he's on the doorstep of multiple NCAA records, but it's also why you trust him so much in games like this one.
Oregon really hadn't played a challenging road test this season when it traveled to a raucous Big House environment featuring 110,576 fans. And yet Gabriel never looked rattled and led scoring drives on Oregon's first two offensive possessions. There's a relaxed steadiness to Gabriel that comes with experience and confidence that's so valuable on the road and in big games. Given Oregon's title hopes, it will need much more of that the rest of the season.
The final offensive drive of the first half might have best illustrated why Oregon was so smart to pluck Gabriel out of the portal away from Oklahoma. Gabriel connected with Traeshon Holden for a 44-yard gain and followed it up with what was one of the most impressive touchdowns you'll ever see to Evan Stewart, only for it to be called back because of an ineligible player downfield.
No problem, Gabriel composes the offense, gets a first down on a 15-yard pass to Terrance Ferguson and then scores from 23-yards out on a terrific run. That touchdown was the backbreaker for Michigan and ended any real comeback efforts it had now down 28-10 at halftime.
Gabriel isn't the flashiest quarterback and may not rack up ridiculous stats every game -- 294 passing yards and two total touchdowns isn't too shabby, though -- but the experience and intangibles he brings to the position are why Oregon is in such a great position headed into the final stretch of the regular season.