Reports: Oregon’s Dan Lanning Gives Massive Intriguing Update On Dillon Gabriel Protector
Oregon could be getting reinforcements on the offensive line after an encouraging performance.
After a lackluster start to the season, Oregon football rebounded in Week 3 with a commanding victory in the Civil War against rival Oregon State.
The Oregon offensive line, which faced criticism for its earlier performances in close games against Idaho and Boise State, delivered a strong showing. Quarterback Dillon Gabriel was not sacked during the game, a stark contrast to the seven times he was taken down in the first two weeks. The Ducks also excelled on the ground, accumulating 240 rushing yards at an impressive average of 7.5 yards per carry.
As Oregon continues to improve, they may soon welcome back some key players. Guard Matthew Bedford, a transfer from Indiana, is expected to return from an injury sustained during fall camp, as noted by Zachary Neel from Ducks Wire.
Head coach Dan Lanning commented, “I think this week and next week will be a great opportunity for us to see if Bedford can return,” according to Neel.
With Week 4 off, Bedford has additional time to recover. The team will begin Big Ten play on September 28 at the Rose Bowl against UCLA.
Oregon football getting back on track after troubling start to season
Some fans were starting to panic about Oregon football following their 24-14 victory over Idaho in Week 1, where the Vandals remained within a single score for much of the game. The anxiety intensified after Oregon narrowly defeated Boise State 37-34 in Week 2.
However, many of those worries were alleviated in Week 3. After a competitive first half, the Ducks dominated Oregon State, securing a convincing 49-14 win in a tough atmosphere in Corvallis. Lanning’s team was impressive and cohesive throughout the game.
The offense, led by Heisman Trophy hopeful Dillon Gabriel, generated a remarkable 546 yards of total offense at an impressive pace, averaging 11.3 yards per pass and 7.5 yards per rush. They faced only six third downs and executed drives with the efficiency that fans anticipated at the start of the season.
On the defensive side, the Ducks managed to keep Oregon State scoreless in the second half, delivering a solid performance despite not forcing any turnovers and recording just two sacks.
The 27-0 score in the second half was a reassuring sight for Oregon supporters, as the Ducks found their rhythm and resembled the team many expected them to be at the beginning of the season. With a week off ahead, they can fine-tune their strategy before heading to the Rose Bowl to face UCLA, kicking off a challenging Big Ten schedule.