Dillon Gabriel Discusses Offense Clicking in Blowout Win Over Oregon State
Oregon quarterback Dillon Gabriel had his best showing since joining the Ducks this offseason in a 49-14 Ducks win over the rival Oregon State Beavers on Saturday.
He finished the day with 291 yards and 2 touchdowns through the air on 20-of-24 passing. Will Stein’s QB1 also contributed with his legs, rushing for 64 yards on four carries and finding the end zone on a 54-yard speed option run.
Gabriel met with reporters in Corvallis to give his thoughts on his performance and a rivalry win over the Beavers.
On having more opportunities to use his legs
Gabriel: “It feels good. I think a lot of people want me to switch to running back. I think in the new day and age of college football they want quarterbacks to run. But I think it’s when it’s needed as well. And I believe when we get in those certain situations, there’s trust in my legs but also just trust in believe in everyone to help me out as well.”
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On what it feels like for offense to be as effective and efficient as it was Saturday
Gabriel: “It feels good. I just think as we continue to execute at a high level and play within the system, I think you’re seeing confidence from everyone within that. But then also us molding together and finding kind of our identity as well. I’ve said that before, but you just see all these players start to make plays with the ball in their hand and it makes my job a lot easier. But then, of course we talk about up front, I’m super proud of those guys. Pass pro, run pro, just communication on the road, things that I haven’t done with them and they haven’t done with me. Things you learn and continue to grow from.”
On if there was a key reason everything clicked
Gabriel: “I think not panicking. Considering we live in a world where if it doesn’t look a certain way, there’s opinions but there’s also panic. And I just love how everyone in the building has continued to focus on process and getting better every single day and I think that allowed us to just play confident, play free and let loose.”
On what changed for Oregon this week
Gabriel: “A bunch. I would love to tell you but then the Krabby Patty secret formula is out. No, we just, day-to-day within practices we changed things that could help us and benefit us. And that’s for every individual position group, but then us as a unit and obviously as a whole team. But I think we continue to make adjustments and that doesn’t stop, but of course you find the formula for your group and keep building upon it.”
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On if he felt comfortable in the pocket for the first time
Gabriel: “I think I always have felt that way. But more importantly, I always tell the O-line you give me the time I’ll do the crime. So they continued to do that and I’m proud of them. And I think it goes to show with any offense, when there’s an offensive line playing at a high level it allows the quarterback to play efficient, clean and then of course the run game hitting like they did. They killed it.”
On what he attributes his early success at Oregon to
Gabriel: “Teammates. I think it’s very apparent that you can’t do this alone. And that’s why we love football. It’s the greatest team sport ever because all 11 have to click on all cylinders. And it’s extremely tough to do so. But I think it’s all because of them and us coming together and finding ways. I think the confidence in one another and continuing to just keep fighting, I think that’s helped me a bunch. The camaraderie between us.”
