Dillon Gabriel had an impressive debut for Oregon, passing for 380 yards and two touchdowns in a tight game against Idaho. Despite the Ducks struggling at times, they managed to secure a 24-14 victory over the determined Idaho team on Saturday night. This win extended Oregon’s nonconference home winning streak to an impressive 33 games, keeping up their strong record in home openers with 20 consecutive wins.
At halftime, Oregon held a 14-0 lead, but Idaho fought back, narrowing the gap with a 36-yard touchdown pass from Jack Layne to Jake Cox. After a field goal from Oregon, Layne scored a 4-yard touchdown to bring the score to 17-14. In the final quarter, Gabriel connected with Tez Johnson for a 12-yard touchdown pass, ultimately sealing the victory for the Ducks.
Idaho, predicted to finish third in the Big Sky conference after a successful 9-4 season last year, showcased a strong defense against the Ducks. Oregon, with its highest preseason ranking in years, was heavily favored to win by 44 1/2 points, but they faced a tough challenge from Idaho. The Ducks finished last season with a 12-2 record, narrowly missing out on the playoffs after a defeat in the Pac-12 championship game.
Looking ahead, Idaho faces a challenging start to the season with four of its first five games on the road, including a visit to Wyoming after their game in Eugene. Oregon will host Boise State in their next game before traveling to face in-state rival Oregon State. This matchup will be particularly significant as both teams are among the few remaining in the Pac-12 following recent conference realignment.
