The college football meat grinder was on full display in Week 11 when unranked Georgia Tech upset No. 4 Miami, and Ole Miss toppled No. 3 Georgia. As the machine churns, mangles and moils, the Bulldogs and Canes’ losses are stark reminders that any given Saturday in November has the potential to send a program’s national championship hopes tumbling into oblivion.
Lackluster, sluggish or dilly-dallying performances are essential ingredients for heartbreak stew, leaving dejected and sullen fans to eat their feelings at Thanksgiving dinner.
And so, in a first-ever matchup, the No. 1 Oregon Ducks welcomed the unranked Maryland Terrapins into Autzen Stadium on a mild Saturday afternoon, looking to avoid the sausage maker, extend their win streak to 10-0 for the first time since 2012 (and just the third time in program history) and remain atop the College Football Playoff standings.
The Ducks (9-0, 6-0 Big Ten), one of just a handful of teams remaining unbeaten this season, shook off a slow start and costly penalties to check each of those boxes behind another solid performance from Heisman-hopeful quarterback Dillon Gabriel.
Gabriel, who entered the game just one touchdown shy of Case Keenum’s all-time NCAA scoring record, left the game as the new record holder, finishing with 23 of 34 pass attempts for 183 yards and three touchdowns. So far in his career, Gabriel has amassed 147 career passing touchdowns, 32 rushing touchdowns and one touchdown reception.
Oregon got a defensive touchdown from the fumble caused by Jordan Burch, and ran back by Brandon Johnson. (Photo by Eric Becker)
Despite the win and Gabriel’s impressive milestone, Oregon’s performance was sprinkled with self-inflicted issues that, early in the game, allowed a feisty Terps offense to keep things close.
In the first half, Maryland quarterback Billy Edwards found ways to keep the Terps’ offense on the field with his arm and legs. Edwards finished with 206 yards passing and a touchdown.
The Terrapins opened the game with what should’ve been a three-and-out, but a roughing the kicker penalty on a bobbled punt gave Maryland a first down near midfield, keeping their drive alive. Soon, the Terps were knocking on the door. While the Ducks’ defense held firm and kept Maryland out of the end zone, the Terrapins were able to capture an early 3-0 lead on a 37-yard field goal.
In contrast, Oregon’s opening offensive drive was less fruitful, failing to move the chains before ultimately punting the ball away. Following a defensive stop, the Ducks’ started the next drive on their own 8-yard line after nearly losing the ball on a bobbled punt return. Oregon proceeded to march down the field 92 yards, with Jordan James capping off the drive with a 3-yard touchdown run to give the Ducks a 7-3 lead late in the first quarter.
For a while, the Terrapins looked comfortable moving the ball. But just when it seemed like Edwards couldn’t be stopped, the Ducks’ defense would serve up a tasty stop. The first course featured a sack by Oregon defensive end Jordan Burch that resulted in a fumble and Brandon Johnson‘s 62-yard scoop-and-score to put the Ducks up, 14-3.
On Maryland’s ensuing drive, a series of costly Oregon penalties, including face mask and pass interference calls on third downs, ultimately led the Terps to find the end zone, narrowing their first half deficit, 14-10. This time, Gabriel and the Ducks responded with a 12-play, 75-yard drive, capped off with a 9-yard touchdown strike to tight end Terrance Ferguson to lead 21-10 at halftime.
Oregon blocked a number of passes like this one by Jamaree Caldwell. (Photo by Eric Becker)
Oregon, playing without two of its offensive leaders — wide receiver Tez Johnson and right guard Marcus Harper II — pulled from its fully-stocked cupboards to mount its attack against the Terps. For those critical of the Ducks’ sleepy third quarter performances over the past several weeks, Oregon offensive coordinator Will Stein introduced some new flavors to spice things up.
On 4th and 3 at their own 23 yard line, Oregon dialed up a fake punt with a direct snap to Burch who rumbled for 36 yards and a first down. Later in the same series, Gabriel completed a 3-yard touchdown pass to offensive lineman Gernorris Wilson followed by a two-point conversion run by offensive tackle Josh Conerly to put the Ducks up, 29-10. Are you not entertained?
When Oregon’s offense struggled, the Ducks’ defense stepped up to swat down balls at the line of scrimmage, clog the running lanes, break up passes in the secondary and force turnovers to keep Maryland off the scoreboard. In the fourth quarter, Oregon’s Tysheem Johnson and Jestin Jacobs each had an interception in Maryland territory, setting up Oregon’s offense with two short field situations that ended with a field goal and touchdown to help seal the victory, 39-18.
James finished with seven carries for 26 yards and a touchdown along with two catches for 27 yards. Noah Whittington, who played most of the second half, led the Ducks with 13 carries for 77 yards. Evan Stewart led with six catches for 55 yards and a touchdown. Ferguson finished with six catches for 35 yards and a touchdown. Of note, Gary Bryant Jr., who has missed the entire season due to a leg injury, made his first appearance for Oregon on special teams.
Next up, Oregon (10-0, 7-0 Big Ten) travels to play Wisconsin (5-4, 3-3).
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Jordan is a lifelong Duck fan currently living in San Diego. Jordan graduated from The Evergreen State College in Olympia, Washington, after serving a prestigious fellowship with the Washington State House of Representatives. Upon graduation, he worked as an English language teaching assistant for the Spanish Ministry of Education’s Ambassadorial Program in Monforte de Lemos, Spain. Jordan has worked as a journalist, writer, and editor in Oregon, Washington, Montana, and California, covering a wide range of topics, including sports, local politics, and crime. He is VERY excited to be writing about his beloved Oregon Ducks.