WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Jordan James scored twice on the ground during Oregon’s first two possessions, while Dillon Gabriel added two passing touchdowns, leading the No. 2 Ducks to a dominant 35-0 victory over Purdue on Friday night. This game marks Oregon’s first road shutout since 1992.
James showcased his talent with 10 carries, accumulating 50 yards alongside his two touchdowns, extending his streak to five consecutive games with a score. Gabriel completed 21 of his 25 passes for a total of 290 yards, recording two touchdown passes and one interception. Tez Johnson also made an impact, catching seven passes for 66 yards and one touchdown, helping keep the Ducks unbeaten at 7-0 overall and 4-0 in Big Ten play.
For Purdue, Ryan Browne struggled to find rhythm, finishing 9 of 19 for 93 yards with one interception and adding 48 rushing yards in his second start after Hudson Card entered concussion protocol. Reggie Love was the standout for the Boilermakers, carrying the ball 11 times for 93 yards as the team fell to 1-6 overall and 0-3 in the conference, marking their sixth consecutive loss.
Oregon raced to a 21-0 lead by early in the second quarter, with James scoring on runs of 8 and 1 yards, followed by Gabriel’s 12-yard touchdown pass to Johnson. Later, the Ducks added an 8-yard touchdown pass to Noah Whittington, who impressively secured the catch by pinning the ball against his helmet, along with a 2-yard rushing touchdown from Jay Harris in the fourth quarter.
Among the key observations: Oregon was able to deliver a commanding performance despite the challenges of a cross-country journey on a shortened preparation week, showcasing their dominance against the Boilermakers. Meanwhile, Purdue’s already dismal season took a turn for the worse, leading fans to call for a change in coaching just as they enter a bye week, leaving coach Ryan Walters with little reprieve.
Looking ahead, the outcomes of the SEC clash between No. 5 Georgia and No. 1 Texas will hold significant implications for Oregon’s ranking. A Georgia victory could propel the Ducks to the top of the rankings, while a win by Texas would keep them at No. 2.
Next up for Oregon is a home matchup against No. 22 Illinois on Saturday. Purdue will also return to action at home, hosting Northwestern on Saturday, November 2.