By Dorrington Myers
On Saturday, October 12, 2024, the Ohio State Buckeyes traveled to face the Oregon Ducks in a game that highlighted everything we love about college football. It came down to the wire, with the quarterbacks’ performances ultimately deciding the outcome. Will Howard and Dillon Gabriel went head-to-head, and neither disappointed. My colleague, Ty Scheiner, discussed this matchup in his Week 7 Weekly Matchup, exploring how Gabriel would handle the pressure from Ohio State’s talented defense. In this analysis, I break down Gabriel’s play, which not only solidifies his status as one of the best players in the country but also firmly establishes the Oregon Ducks as serious playoff contenders.
By the numbers
Dillon Gabriel finished the night with a stat line of 23-of-34 for 341 yards, and two touchdowns through the air. He also added one touchdown on the ground. His QBR was 95.9, which is outstanding. This shows that Gabriel was nearly perfect in execution, made highly efficient throws, took care of the ball, and contributed significantly to the team’s success. Dillon Gabriel led effective drives, made smart decisions under pressure, and displayed accuracy and playmaking ability at a very high clip. He’s one of the most consistent quarterbacks in recent memory, especially when you look at his previous seasons.
Key play analysis
To the house, for the lead. @_dillongabriel_ x #GoDucks pic.twitter.com/xrG5FxWsfa
— Oregon Football (@oregonfootball) October 13, 2024
Play 1
In the play above, Ohio State lined up in a 5-2 front, typically used to contain the run. This alignment automatically puts the secondary in man coverage. Oregon executed a textbook zone read, where the quarterback’s job is to read the edge defender: if the defender takes the running back, the quarterback pulls the ball and runs; if the defender hesitates or covers the quarterback, the ball is handed off. Gabriel made the correct read and took it himself, cutting upfield for the score. It was a crucial, momentum-shifting touchdown that sealed the victory.
Took the top off 🚀@_dillongabriel_ ➡️ @tezMania15 #GoDucks pic.twitter.com/JGArtFFqEE
— Oregon Football (@oregonfootball) October 13, 2024
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Play 2
The play above highlights Dillon Gabriel’s deep-ball ability, combining the perfect blend of touch and power. Ohio State ran a variation of the zone blitz, dropping two linemen into coverage to replace two linebackers, while the secondary played Cover 3. The strategy backfired when the corner was beat deep just as Gabriel moved his launch point to avoid pressure. His ball placement was flawless; you couldn’t have thrown it any better.
What a throw. What a catch. @_dillongabriel_ 🤝 @0fficial_evan #GoDucks pic.twitter.com/kqbcptpcK3
— Oregon Football (@oregonfootball) October 13, 2024
Play 3
The play above was an absolute strike by Gabriel! Ohio State lined up in a middle-field-closed, single-high safety shell, revealing their man coverage early. The corner was caught in no man’s land, and Gabriel quickly set up, delivering the ball precisely where it needed to go. This is a perfect example of how to make the most of the available space.
What I liked
I admired how Dillon Gabriel stayed true to his game, undeterred by the doubters. He was both prolific and precise, unafraid to make throws that many would avoid. Most importantly, Gabriel is consistently reliable year after year. His decision-making is intentional, and he’s continuing the proud legacy of great left-handed quarterbacks. I believe that his Heisman odds have improved.
