ANN ARBOR, Mich. – The No. 1 Oregon Ducks came into the Big House and delivered another professional performance Saturday, defeating the Michigan Wolverines 38-17 despite an early injury to their top playmaker and a late injury to an offensive lineman lineman.

Oregon faced pressure in the backfield from a formidable Michigan front seven, but Heisman contender Dillon Gabriel remained calm and had just enough time to spread the ball around. And against a largely limited Michigan offense, Oregon’s defense turned in a complete performance.

Oregon’s defense set the tone on the very first play of the afternoon, when former Michigan State defensive lineman Derrick Harmon rushed into the Wolverines’ backfield and tackled running back Donovan Edwards for a takedown.

The Wolverines went three-and-out and provided a clinical first offensive drive for the Ducks.

Oregon completed a balanced first drive with a two-yard touchdown catch by Evan Stewart in the corner of the end zone, but an injury to top wideout Tez Johnson loomed during the early part of the game. After an eleven-yard catch, Johnson appeared to injure his left shoulder when he hit the ground.

Johnson left for Oregon’s locker room and later returned to the sideline in street clothes with an apparent sling over his shoulder. He was out for the rest of the day.

Oregon felt Johnson’s absence quite abruptly. Without a return, freshman Ryan Pellum stepped in but lost a fumble on his first return attempt. The Ducks went with Evan Stewart on punt return for the rest of the game.

Michigan worked with a short field and eventually tied the game, 7-7, on a 7-yard pass from Davis Warren to Tyler Morris.

The Ducks defense continued to stifle Michigan’s limited offense, giving Oregon’s offense plenty of opportunities to run the offense.

Oregon scored a pair of touchdowns early in the second quarter, both on Noah Whittington’s ground, to take a 21–7 lead. Those scores were set up by big plays from Traeshon Holden, Terrance Ferguson and Kenyon Sadiq, all of whom took big steps forward in Johnson’s absence.

Michigan scored a 38-yard field goal late in the half, but it gave Oregon almost two minutes to work with. Gabriel delivered, leading his team down the field before firing off a 23-yard run for a touchdown, putting the Ducks ahead 28-10 at the half.

The highlight of the game – and perhaps the season – for Oregon was a play on that final drive in the second quarter that didn’t count. Stewart ran in a potential touchdown with one hand that was called back due to an ineligible receiver on the field.

Trailing big at the half, Michigan came out with a lead at the half and stopped the Ducks before scoring on the first drive.

Warren found weak spots in Oregon’s secondary, especially in the middle of the field, and marched Michigan deep into Ducks territory. He capped it off with a six-yard touchdown strike to Peyton O’Leary in a crowd, cutting the deficit to 28–17.

Oregon chewed up six minutes and 33 seconds on its next drive, going 67 yards in 15 plays, capped by a 26-yard field goal by Atticus Sappington to make it 31-17.

The drive made it a sixth consecutive game – all in Big Ten play – for the Ducks without a third-quarter touchdown.

Early in the fourth, Oregon suffered another potential key injury when offensive tackle Marcus Harper II felt some pain but was able to leave the field under his own power. He entered the medical tent and did not return.

The next play was blown up on what would have been Harper’s end for the Ducks, when Gabriel’s busy pass to Whittington fell incomplete – much to the delight of the majority of 110,576 people gathered in Michigan Stadium, the largest crowd Oregon has ever hosted played. front of.

Michigan hit the ball on the ground and made plays when they needed to through the air on the ensuing drive, highlighted by a 26-yard run by quarterback Alex Orji in which his offensive lineman threw him forward at the end of the play.

The Wolverines couldn’t capitalize on the drive, however, turning it over on downs at the Oregon 10-yard line with 7:24 to go. Oregon ran the clock back on a final drive with big plays from Holden through the air and James on the ground.

Making matters worse, James scored a 2-yard score to bring the game to its final margin of 38-17.

Top performance: Jabbar Muhammad (6 tackles, 3 solo, pass breakup).

Main contributors: Dillon Gabriel (22 of 34, 294 yards, TD; 3 rush, 23 yards, rush TD); Traeshon Holden (6 receptions, 149 yards); Jordan James (23 rushing, 117 yards, TD); Kobe Savage (7 tackles, 3 solo); Bryce Boettcher (6 tackles, 4 solo, 1.5 for loss)

Key game: Dillon Gabriel escapes for a 23-yard rushing touchdown, giving Oregon a 28-10 lead in the second quarter.

It was over when: Michigan turned the ball over on downs with 7:24 remaining in the fourth quarter.

Next match: No. 1 Oregon (9-0, 6-0 Big Ten) vs. Maryland (4-4, 1-4)

• When: Saturday November 9
• Time: 4pm PT
• Where: Autzen Stadium, Eugene
• TV channel: Big Ten Network
• Current: Watch this game live for FREE with Fubo (free trial) or with DirecTV Stream (free trial).
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— Ryan Clarke covers the Oregon ducks and Big Ten. Listen to the Ducks confidential podcast or subscribe to the Ducks Roundup Newsletter.