Dillon Gabriel's Heisman Candidacy Debated by CFB Fans as No. 1 Oregon Beats Michigan

Jack MurrayNovember 2, 2024

ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN - NOVEMBER 02: Dillon Gabriel #8 of the Oregon Ducks throws the ball over Jimmy Rolder #30 of the Michigan Wolverines for a touchdown during the first quarter at Michigan Stadium on November 02, 2024 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

Gregory Shamus/Getty Images

The Dillon Gabriel-led Oregon Ducks continue to shine in high-profile matchups.

The 23-year-old helped steer the Ducks to a 31-17 victory over Michigan to improve to 9-0 on the season.

Oregon Football @oregonfootball
DUCKS WIN! Oregon takes down Michigan at The Big House, 38-17.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GoDucks?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#GoDucks</a> <a href="https://t.co/ArGWH1F7cE">pic.twitter.com/ArGWH1F7cE</a>

PFF College @PFF_College
Oregon is 9-0 for the first time since 2012🦆 <a href="https://t.co/MZ8BdW1n1m">pic.twitter.com/MZ8BdW1n1m</a>

The Ducks offense produced 470 total yards while the defense limited the Wolverines to 270. Oregon possessed the ball for 32:28 and limited Michigan to just 11 first downs.

Jordan James paced the ground game with 23 carries for 117 yards and a touchdown while Noah Whittington found the end zone twice off of his 11 carries for 36 yards. Traeshon Holden was the leading receiver with six catches for 149 yards while Evan Stewart caught a touchdown pass.

Gabriel was efficient throughout the day, going 22-of-34 for 294 yards and a touchdown while also adding three carries for 23 yards and a touchdown on the ground. He is inching closer to Case Keenum's all-time touchdown record and will hope a sustained postseason run could get him there.

FOX College Football @CFBONFOX
Dillon Gabriel hits the jets for the TD 💨<a href="https://twitter.com/oregonfootball?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@oregonfootball</a> 📺 CBS <a href="https://t.co/pkxHzpN4aX">pic.twitter.com/pkxHzpN4aX</a>

Fans took to social media to celebrate his performance and project his chances of winning the Heisman Trophy.

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Dustin 'Political Muscle' Hurst 💪💪💪 @HurstforIdaho
I was on the Jeanty for Heisman train until today. Right now, I'm 50-50 between the BSU running back and Dillon Gabriel. <a href="https://t.co/O7Vg5fuHbb">https://t.co/O7Vg5fuHbb</a>

Dan Kelley @DanKelley66
If <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Oregon?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Oregon</a> QB Dillon Gabriel were a few inches taller, he'd be QB1 on my 2025 NFL Draft board.

Jonathan Stewart @Jonathanstewar1
Dillon Gabriel Evan stewart connection is unreal

… @theGBarchives
Dillon Gabriel reminds me a lot of Russell Wilson.

Tyler @Gimme2fives
Why Bo Nix get first round draft hype and Dillon Gabriel doesn't?

🚬 @luvshaedon
This Dillon Gabriel performance is moving me probably his second best game so far

Erik Skopil @Erik_Skopil
Dillon Gabriel with a Heisman-caliber half of football. He's completed 16-of-22 for 217 yards with two total scores. Noah Whittington with two rushing TDs. Ducks have the obvious passing edge, and that's shown up (217-to-66), but they've also been better on the ground (87-to-61).

NANI?! ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ @AlwayzTweety
Lowkey Dillon Gabriel is who Will Howard thinks he is.

Bob Wojnowski @bobwojnowski
About what was expected, Oregon with 304 total yards and a 28-10 lead at the half. QB is not the only problem for Michigan, as Davis Warren has been OK. Athleticism (especially at WR) is the problem. Ducks QB Dillon Gabriel has his choice on most plays.

The Ducks are 9-0 for the first time since 2012. That year's team would finish 12-1 and earned a Fiesta Bowl victory.

The 2024 team is one of two unbeaten teams in the Big Ten and is heading toward a berth in the conference title game. A College Football Playoff berth is also looking more and more like a lock since the Ducks don't face a ranked opponent for the rest of the regular season.

The quest to remain undefeated will continue in Week 11 when the Ducks host Maryland.

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