Dillon Gabriel was confronted with a quandary when he arrived at Oregon this yr.
Gabriel had worn No. 8 at Oklahoma earlier than transferring for his sixth season of eligibility. However in Eugene, that quantity had particular significance as a result of it had been worn by Heisman Trophy winner Marcus Mariota.
There have been many similarities between the 2: They had been each dual-threat quarterbacks who had piled up accolades together with yards and touchdowns. Each hailed from Hawai’i and had been formed by the island spirit.
Mariota selected the No. 8 initially due to the variety of Hawai’ian islands. His helmet’s facemask was shaped in an 808, Hawai’i’s space code.
So Gabriel took a leap of religion and texted Mariota to ask his permission. Mariota, now with the NFL’s Washington Commanders, mentioned sure.
“You know, when you’re growing up and you have that kind of direct example, a guy from Hawai’i, playing at a high level, at the DI level, and then you see him go to the NFL, it’s like you can see it, you can believe it,” Gabriel mentioned.
Gabriel has led the top-ranked Geese (12-0, 9-0 Huge Ten) by way of an undefeated season and on to the Huge Ten title sport on Saturday towards No. 4 Penn State (11-1, 8-1) in Indianapolis.
Gabriel — who performed his first three years at Central Florida earlier than becoming a member of the Sooners — grew to become the all-time NCAA chief for whole profession touchdowns alongside the way in which and now has 183, together with 149 through go, 33 through rush and one reception. He’s tied with former Oregon quarterback Bo Nix — now with the Denver Broncos — with an FBS-record 61 profession begins.
Ever humble, Gabriel is considerate in regards to the arc of his profession.
“I think we’re in an interesting time that’s all about results. And so many people talk about the process but aren’t patient enough. I think if you look at my body of work, I’m a guy who’s eager and wants to get better but has had that time to develop and work in that way. I think you see it over time,” Gabriel mentioned.
As a Duck, Gabriel has thrown for 3,277 yards and 24 TDs in 12 video games. He’s rushed for seven extra scores.
Mariota spent his three-year faculty profession at Oregon, throwing for 104 touchdowns and working for 29 extra. He was the Geese’ quarterback within the 2014 season, the final time Oregon superior to the nationwide championship sport.
“I mean, everybody would love to run out there with the experience that we have at quarterback right now,” Oregon coach Dan Lanning mentioned. “And I think that experience shows up consistently every Saturday for us. More than anything, just the ability for Dillon to be calm within the chaos that exists in a football game, and being a great decision-maker and understanding the scheme.”
The one different time Oregon completed the common season 12-0 was in 2010, when the Geese performed for the BCS nationwide championship.
Among the many workforce’s victories this season was a 32-31 win at residence over Ohio State and a 38-17 victory over Michigan on the Huge Home.
The Geese capped the season with a 49-21 victory over rival Washington, ending 9-0 of their first Huge Ten yr. Gabriel threw for a pair of touchdowns and ran for an additional in that sport.
The Nittany Lions superior to the convention title sport with a 44-7 victory over Maryland on Saturday. They had been helped by Ohio State’s 13-10 loss to Michigan in Columbus.
Oregon has performed the Nittany Lions only one different time, within the 1995 Rose Bowl. Penn State, led by Joe Paterno, gained that one, 38-20.
The winner in Indianapolis this weekend can safe a first-round bye within the expanded 12-team playoffs. Each groups are assured of a playoff berth even with a loss.
On Tuesday, Gabriel added one other honor when he was named Huge Ten offensive participant of the yr.
“He’s earned the trust and the admiration of all his teammates and the coaches around him,” Lanning mentioned. “This guy prepares extremely hard. He is the calmest dude you’ve ever been around on the field, which is impressive, but I’m really proud of him and what he’s been able to do for this team.”