The Ducks are loaded on offense with senior (citizen) quarterback Dillon Gabriel leading the way.
Starters
Quarterback
#8 – Dillon Gabriel – 6’0”, 200 – Sr
Notes
- 153/201 – 1808 Yards – 13 Tds – 3 Ints – 28 Carries – 103 Yards – 4 Tds
- Member of the 2019 recruiting class
- 2nd All-Time in career touchdowns created (169)
- 3rd All-Time in career passing touchdowns (136)
- 2nd All-Time in career total yards (17,445)
- UCF and Oklahoma transfer
- First Team All-Big 12 (2023)
Running Back
#20 – Jordan James – 5’10”, 210 – So.
Notes
- 111 Attempts – 667 Yards – 6 TDs
- 3rd in Big 10 Rushing Attempts
- 4th in Big 10 Rushing Yards
- 6th in Big 10 Rushing Touchdowns
Wide Receiver
Field
#1 – Traeshon Holden – 6’3”, 205
Slot
#15 – Tez Johnson – 5’10”, 165
Boundary
#7 – Evan Stewart – 6’0”, 175
Notes
- Johnson leads team in receptions (50), yards (470) and touchdowns (6)
- Holden leads receivers with 16.2 yards per receptions
- Steward is 2nd in receptions (23), yards (331), and touchdowns (3)
- Holden was ejected last week for spitting on an Ohio State player
- Evan Steward paced the Ducks against Ohio State with 7 receptions for 149 yards
- Tez Johnson also had 7 receptions for 75 yards
- Oregon only used 4 receivers against Ohio State despite the Holden ejection
Tight End
#3 – Terrance Ferguson – 6’5”, 255
Notes
- 3rd on the team in receptions (20) and yards (321)
- Averages 16.1 yards a reception
- First team All-Pac-12 (RIP) in 2023
Offensive Line
Right Tackle
#65 – Ajani Cornelius – 6’5”, 315 – Sr.
Right Guard
#55 – Marcus Harper II – 6’3”, 305 – Sr.
Center
#72 – Iapani Laloulu – 6’2”, 325 – So.
Left Guard
#50 – Nishad Strother – 6’2”, 320 – Sr.
Left Tackle
#76 – Josh Conerly Jr. 6’4”, 315 – Jr.
Notes
- 66th nationally in rushing yards / game (162)
- 29th nationally in sacks allowed / game (1.17)
- Cornelius was on the preseason Outland Trophy watch list
Overall
Oregon is one of the most talented on field and on paper offenses in the nation led by veteran signal caller Dillon Gabriel. They shredded a highly touted Ohio State defense last week to the tune of 32 points and 359 passing yards. This isn’t exactly ideal for a Boilermaker defense that spend last Saturday hemorrhaging points to Illinois.
This is one of the best group of receivers Purdue will face all season. Expect Gabrial to run sparingly in this game after taking a beating last Saturday against the Buckeyes. I doubt the Ducks want him to run much against Purdue, but he’s always dangerous when he breaks the pocket and goes into business for himself. If Purdue plans on keeping contain at some point this season, Oregon would be a nice place to start.
Not going to lie folks, containing this offense will be a monumental task for a Boilermaker defense that hasn’t exactly been functional this season. The only faint glimmer of hope is an Oregon hangover coming off the crazy Ohio State game followed by a short week of preparation and a long flight. I’m going to guess a few guys are still going to be feeling the Ohio State game on Friday night.
In theory, Purdue’s defense is a decent matchup against Oregon with their man-coverage scheme paired with an aggressive front capable of sending pass rushers from all-angles. In practice, well, we’ve all seen what it looks like on the field, and the theory has yet to match the results.
Best Case Scenario
Oregon State gave the Ducks fits in the first half by limiting their time on the field, much like they did against Purdue. The Boilermakers need to steal that plan, grind clock, and hope against hope that Oregon is groggy from their trip. Purdue’s going to need help from the Ducks in this one, and Dan Lanning’s crew hasn’t been very generous this season.