Despite occasional sloppiness on offense, the No. 2 Oregon Ducks’ defense was dominant in a 35-0 drubbing of Purdue on Friday night at Ross-Ade Stadium.
On a short week following an emotional win over Ohio State, the Ducks (7-0, 4-0 Big Ten) shut down the Boilermakers (1-6, 0-4) in West Lafayette, Indiana.
The Ducks got the ball first and marched down the field to set the tone. The drive was highlighted by a 49-yard catch from Evan Stewart on a perfectly thrown ball by Dillon Gabriel, but it was Jordan James who finished it off with an 8-yard run for a touchdown.
Purdue didn’t register a passing yard until the second quarter, and its first drive was a struggle as Purdue quarterback Ryan Browne was eventually sacked by Oregon’s Matayo Uiagalelei.
The Ducks went 80 yards in 11 plays and chewed up nearly five minutes on their next drive, capping it with a one-yard touchdown run by James after a pair of reviews on would-be touchdowns from their lead back.
After another Purdue drive stalled, Oregon drove 99 yards on six plays to score on a 10-yard touchdown toss from Gabriel to Tez Johnson, whose ability in space was on display throughout the game.
Purdue began establishing the run with more quality as the half progressed, and was soon able to drive deep into Ducks territory. But a missed 35-yard field goal kept Oregon up 21-0.
The Ducks finished the first half with some miscues on offense. Gabriel sailed a ball intended for Johnson — missing a wide-open Justius Lowe downfield — and the ball went through Johnson’s outstretched hands for the eventual interception.
Despite Kobe Savage recovering a fumble, forced by Jeff Bassa, the Ducks gave up a sack on Gabriel on the final play of the first half — the first surrendered by the Oregon offensive line since the Boise State game.
After forcing a stop on the opening drive of the second half, Oregon failed to score on the ensuing possession as Andrew Boyle missed a 50-yard field goal. James did not appear for the Ducks for unknown reasons, giving way to Noah Whittington in the Oregon backfield.
Purdue continued to run the ball with success late into the third quarter, but the Ducks got a stop on 4th and long to maintain the shutout.
Whittington hauled in an 8-yard dart from Gabriel in the early fourth for a score, giving Oregon a 28-0 lead. He pinned the ball to his helmet and showcased strong hands in finishing off the play.
Young players like wide receivers Jeremiah McClellan and Jurrion Dickey got a handful of snaps in the fourth quarter, as did fourth-string running back Jay Harris.
A 12-yard touchdown run by Harris to the left side — blocked beautifully by the Oregon offensive line — capped the scoring for the Ducks to make it 35-0. It was Harris’ first of the season.
With reserves in the game on defense as well, Oregon gave up a handful of big plays on the ground to balloon the rushing total for the Boilermakers beyond 200 yards. But the Ducks got a fourth-down stop and gave the ball back to their offense to run some clock.
Purdue turned it over on its final drive, whimpering into the night in West Lafayette with an interception thrown to Oregon’s Kam Alexander.
Top performance: Devon Jackson (4 tackles, 3 solo, 2 for loss, sack, forced fumble).
Key contributors: Dillon Gabriel (21-25, 290 yards, 2 TD, INT); Jordan James (10 rush, 50 yards, 2 TD); Tez Johnson (7 receptions, 66 yards, TD); Teitum Tuioti (6 tackles, 5 solo, sack); Matayo Uiagalelei (3 tackles, 3 solo, 2 for loss, sack); Bryce Boettcher (5 tackles, 4 solo).
Key play: Noah Whittington snags an 8-yard touchdown pass from Dillon Gabriel.
It was over when: Oregon subbed in its reserves on both sides of the ball. But probably well before that.
Next game: Oregon (7-0, 4-0 Big Ten) vs. Illinois (5-1, 2-1 Big Ten)
- When: Saturday, Oct. 26
- Time: 12:30 p.m. PT
- Where: Autzen Stadium, Eugene
- Channel: CBS
- Stream: Fubo (free trial), DirecTV Stream (free trial), Sling, etc.
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— Ryan Clarke covers the Oregon Ducks and Big Ten Conference. Listen to the Ducks Confidential podcast or subscribe to the Ducks Roundup newsletter.
