Urban Meyer credits Dillon Gabriel for leading Oregon to win vs. Ohio State

After leading Oklahoma to a win over No. 3 ranked Texas last October, this October Dillon Gabriel led Oregon to a similar big win against No. 2 Ohio State. Defeating the Buckeyes 32-31 on Saturday in one of the best college football games of the season.

Gabriel made his 55th collegiate start last weekend against the Buckeyes, but he’s still found a way to surprise and impress many in the college football landscape. Including former head coach Urban Meyer, who spoke with Rob Stone and Mark Ingram about Gabriel’s recent performance on The Triple Option.

“When you see him Mark, he’s 5’11, his arm strength is an eight out of 10, his speed is an eight out of 10. His intelligence and leadership are 10 out of 10, I love this guy,” Meyer said. “I watched him practice, I spent some time with him, we’ve all followed him. Remember last year we watched him when he was in Oklahoma, but I don’t know if I’ve ever seen him flat out win the game, and he did the way he performed. I mean spectacular.”

Similar to his performance against the Longhorns last year, Gabriel made an impact with his arm and his legs versus Ohio State. Throwing for two touchdown passes and rushing for one to generate 373 total yards of offense and lead the Ducks to their first signature win as members of the Big Ten.

There’s no question Gabriel was dominant on Saturday, but he wouldn’t have been able to do it without his pass catchers as well. A unit that Meyer and several others underestimated given their matchup against the Buckeyes’ elite defense.

“I was wrong, in Big Noon I said I don’t see the positive matchup in man coverage,” Meyer admitted. “I thought it was going to come down to the secondary, Ohio State’s got some high draft picks back there. And you got Oregon, who has really, really good receivers. I’m going to change that, they have great receivers. I thought they were really good, they’re great.”

Oregon lost their second-leading wide receiver entering the matchup Traeshon Holden in the second quarter when he was ejected from the game. But Texas A&M transfer Evan Stewart stepped up and led the team with a career-high 149 yards on seven catches with a touchdown. With Tez Johnson continuing to produce with seven receptions of his own with 75 yards and a score as well.

“They went vertical on them Mark, they didn’t do the crossing routes like I said they would. They went vertical and they said I’m going to go after your best corners and Dillon Gabriel was dropping dimes on them,” Meyer said.

Gabriel and the Ducks will look to stay hot and undefeated this Friday when they hit the road to take on Purdue.