Every season, our Oregon Ducks football program has an identity. Whether it’s on the ground, through the air, or on defense, every team has one aspect of its game that goes above & beyond to really solidify them as a program, and not finding what that identity is virtually ends your season. In week three, Oregon found its identity—not a what, but a who. I think it’s been clear since game one: Dillon Gabriel IS Oregon football in 2024.
Just like Bo Nix did last year, Gabriel has been a near-perfect constant across the board. Accuracy, efficiency, dependability, and a true bright spot regardless of how the rest of the team was doing. He went 15/15 passing to start against OSU, and never took his foot off the pedal on his way to the huddle or to the endzone. It’s so rare that you can successfully forge a team’s identity in an offseason, and transplant one player to be its face.
You often probably don’t want to. In my opinion, I don’t think this hurts Oregon at all. I believe Gabriel can and should be the face of this team, and what this offense runs through. I pulled Mr. FishDuck from his fun at Ice casino online for his thoughts, and he agreed between all the choices available as a team identity, Gabriel is one the nation already knows well.
Did this run not SCREAM Mariota? – Via Steven Chan
Now, you could say a ton of different players brought their A-game Saturday. Jordan James was making big runs all over the place, Tez Johnson played outstanding, Bryce Boettcher was locking it down on defense, a number of players deserve recognition for how they bounced back this week. Maybe the ENTIRE offensive line should get a shoutout.
While I do appreciate all they did and how GREAT this team looked cohesively, Gabriel is the guy. I saw it this weekend, and I’ll believe it all year — he’s the one who can take us all the way with Lanning’s Ducks. Keep working week by week, and let’s see where we are in January.
What do you think? Is Gabriel this team’s identity? Who really showed-out in week three against Oregon State? What were you most impressed by this team in their rivalry week entering the bye? Let us know in the FishDuck Forum with decorum.
Go Ducks!
Alex Heining
Los Angeles, California
Top Photo By: Eric Becker
Alex Heining is an Oregon alumni from the graduate class of 2021. After studying sports business and media studies, he has moved into the field of digital marketing as a copywriter and content manager in the Los Angeles area. Still, he loves his Ducks and goes to local high school games all over the Los Angeles and Orange County area to check out new recruits of the future (and a SoFi game or two with the pros). On any given Saturday, expect to find him doing martial arts, playing the guitar, or screaming at the tv over a missed holding penalty.