EUGENE, Ore. (AP) — Dillon Gabriel threw for three touchdowns and ran for another, and top-ranked Oregon routed No. 20 Illinois 38-9 on Saturday to remain undefeated.
Gabriel finished 18-of-26 for 291 yards and Oregon racked up 527 yards of total offense. Tez Johnson caught six of Gabriel's passes for 102 yards and a score. The Ducks (8-0, 5-0 Big Ten) haven't started a season with eight straight wins since 2013.
It was Oregon's third win over a ranked team this season. The Fighting Illini (6-2, 3-2) hadn't faced the top-ranked team in the nation since 2007, when they beat Ohio State 28-21 on the road. Luke Altmyer threw for 161 yards for Illinois, which was coming off a 21-7 victory over No.
24 Michigan last weekend . That win was the third for the Illini over a Top 25 opponent this season — most for the team since 2007. Oregon blanked Purdue 35-0 last weekend .
But it was a 32-31 victory over then-No. 2 Ohio State the week before that boosted the Ducks in their first season in the Big Ten. Gabriel, rising in the Heisman conversation, was leading the country with a 77% completion rate.
He has 18 passing touchdowns and five rushing scores. Oregon scored on Gabriel's 31-yard pass to Johnson on the team's opening drive. Facing little defense, Gabriel had plenty of time in the pocket to find Johnson.
Oregon scored on its next series when Justius Lowe caught Gabriel's 34-yard pass and fell into the end zone. It was Lowe's first career TD. Davi Olano's 38-yard field goal for I.
