Oregon Ducks head coach Dan Lanning points out area where QB Dillon Gabriel must improve
Oregon Ducks quarterback Dillon Gabriel entered Friday night's matchup against the Michigan State Spartans with the highest completion percentage in the country at 81.5%. He had thrown for nine touchdowns and only one interception, and was leading an Oregon offense that still seemed to be finding its groove, despite its success.Friday night was very different. […]
Oregon Ducks quarterback Dillon Gabriel entered Friday night's matchup against the Michigan State Spartans with the highest completion percentage in the country at 81.5%. He had thrown for nine touchdowns and only one interception, and was leading an Oregon offense that still seemed to be finding its groove, despite its success.
Friday night was very different. Gabriel completed only 62.5% of his passes and threw two bad interceptions at the goal line — something we saw him do last week at UCLA — before tacking on a couple of touchdown passes.
It was far from a sterling performance. He'd be the first to tell you that there is plenty to improve upon.
Oregon head coach Dan Lanning was asked about Gabriel's three red zone interceptions over the last two weeks.
"I think just timing the last two weeks. Those have been later balls, and we have to do a better job with that of getting the ball out on time and knowing that we already have points in those situations," Lanning said.
For a quarterback in his sixth season, starting in his 54th game, these are the types of plays that you don't want to see. Look at the situation — it's second and goal from the 11 yard line early in the second quarter, you're up 7-0, and even if you settle for a field goal, you're still carrying all the momentum.
This isn't the time to force a ball into a tight window. Live to fight another day. Instead, you leave with no points and give your opponent life.
These plays simply cannot happen against the elite teams, and Oregon is now staring at a home date against Ohio State next Saturday. Against a team that talented, there will be no room for these type of mistakes from the veteran quarterback.
The good news for Oregon is that they were able to play what I would call their most complete game of the season and cruise to yet another dominant victory without their quarterback playing at an elite level. Jordan James and the run game was dominant, especially in the first half, and the defense was outstanding.
Aside from their matchup with Boise State, who put 34 points on the Ducks behind the best running back in the country in Ashton Jeanty, the Ducks have not allowed more than 14 points in their other four games.
Oregon has the ability to hang with anyone, but they'll need Gabriel to play cleaner next Saturday.
Follow along all year for more Oregon Ducks coverage on A to Z Sports. You can find me on X @JonHelmkamp, as well as follow our main page @AtoZSportsNFL for all the latest news.
