Our Oregon football program had a fantastic first season in the B1G, winning 13 games, and making it to the Rose Bowl after knocking off three of the conference’s best. Now, we have some time to look back and ponder on a tough, tough question: What was YOUR favorite play of the Oregon football season? The point in the year you fell in love with Oregon football again, that turned the tide of the Ducks’ season or just made Shout feel that much sweeter. Think on it a moment, and while you do, here’s my take.

For me, this was an easy pick. The play I knew Oregon was going to be a Playoff team – Photo via Steven Chan
My Favorite Play of the Oregon Football Season: Dillon Gabriel’s 54-Yard Run vs Oregon State
Here’s a link to the play if you need a refresher, but WOW. What a start to Gabriel’s one-and-only season with the Ducks.
While it was very early in the year and might not seem like it had as much weight as the Ohio State or Penn State game, you have to think back to what this play meant for Oregon football. The team entered the season as a College Football Playoff contender, and after the first two weeks, they’d raised more questions than answers about their play.
This play by Gabriel virtually saved our season in my eyes. It reminded me a great deal of Marcus Mariota, and why I knew we could count on Gabriel to be a massive playmaker the rest of the season. Of course, there were still some hiccups working out the kinks with the roster’s construction, as any team would with so many new starters. Still, make no mistake: We knew Gabriel would be a baller from this point on. In the pocket or on the ground, Gabriel brought his A-game against an in-state rival that we just love to run out of Corvallis. With Dante Moore at the helm next season, I expect plenty more of the same.
For most, you might point to the first meeting with Oregon playing Ohio State in Eugene to find your favorite play. Others, the special teams heroics in the Boise State game.
Either way: Take a minute, role through some highlights, and once you find your favorite play? Drop it in the FishDuck Forum with decorum. We’ll talk some Oregon football with a highly-hyped offseason ahead and reflect on what this 2024-2025 roster was able to do with head coach Dan Lanning’s guidance.
Also: Keep an eye on recruiting this week. Some big names are coming down the pipeline to make HUGE plays in the seasons ahead. And as always—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.