Dillon Gabriel: One Year, One Championship
The most efficient single-season rental in Oregon history.
Dillon Gabriel played exactly one season at Oregon. In that season, the Ducks went 13-1, won the Big Ten Championship in their first year of membership, and reached the College Football Playoff. Then Gabriel was drafted by the Cleveland Browns and left Eugene with a conference title. One year. Maximum impact.
13-1
2024 Record
9-0
Big Ten Record
Undefeated in conference
1
Big Ten Title
Year one of membership
#94
NFL Draft Pick
Cleveland Browns, 2025
Big Ten Champions. Beat Penn State 45-37 in Big Ten Championship game. Lost to Ohio State 41-21 in Rose Bowl (CFP QF).
The Journey
Gabriel's college journey: UCF (2019-2021), Oklahoma (2022-2023), Oregon (2024). Six years of college football across three programs. By the time he arrived in Eugene, he was the most experienced quarterback in America. He had 16,000+ career passing yards before throwing a single pass as a Duck.
Why He Mattered
Gabriel was the bridge quarterback. Bo Nix left for the NFL after 2023. Dante Moore was talented but young. Gabriel gave Lanning a veteran who could manage the transition to the Big Ten, win now, and buy time for Moore to develop behind him. It worked perfectly. 13-1. Big Ten title. Moore watched and learned. Gabriel left for the NFL. The plan executed exactly as designed.
The Big Ten Championship
Penn State 37, Oregon 45. Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis. Oregon's first Big Ten Championship game and they treated it like a home game. Gabriel was composed, the offense scored 45, and Oregon announced itself as a permanent Big Ten contender in year one. The celebration on that field is what every Oregon recruit sees on their visit.
Key Games
2024
Oregon 32, Ohio State 31
The biggest regular season win of the Lanning era. 60,129 fans at Autzen, the largest crowd in stadium history. Gabriel managed the game, the defense made the final stand. Oregon beat #2 Ohio State by 1.
2024
Oregon 45, Penn State 37
Big Ten Championship at Lucas Oil Stadium. Gabriel led Oregon to 45 points in their first-ever Big Ten title game. The win sent Oregon to the Rose Bowl and the CFP.
2024
Ohio State 41, Oregon 21
Rose Bowl (CFP Quarterfinal). Same opponent, different result. Ohio State was angry and Oregon committed 3 turnovers. Gabriel's final game as a Duck.
Career Highlights
Record
Tied FBS All-Time Passing TD Record: 155
Finished career with 155 passing TDs, tying Case Keenum's FBS record. Hit the mark with his final two TDs to Traeshon Holden in the Rose Bowl.
Record
FBS All-Time Leader in Total Touchdowns: 189
155 passing + 34 rushing = 189 career touchdowns, the most in FBS history. Six seasons, three schools, one record.
Record
Most Career Starts by an FBS QB: 63
Started 63 career games across UCF, Oklahoma, and Oregon. The most by any quarterback in FBS history.
Oregon
3,857 Yards, 30 TDs, 72.9% Completion at Oregon
Named Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year and Big Ten Championship Game MVP. Finished 3rd in Heisman voting behind Travis Hunter and Ashton Jeanty.
Game
Ohio State 32-31: 341 Yards, Record Crowd
23-of-34 for 341 yards and 2 TDs as Oregon beat #2 Ohio State by 1 in front of a record 61,128 fans at Autzen. Rushed for the go-ahead score.
Game
Big Ten Championship: 4 TDs, 0 INTs
22-of-32 for 283 yards and 4 TDs in Oregon's 45-37 win over Penn State. Connected with Tez Johnson 11 times for 181 yards.
Fact
Hawaiian Football Family
From Mililani, Hawaii. Like Mariota, Gabriel brought an island connection to Eugene. Brothers named after NFL players: Garrison (Hearst), Dillon (Corey Dillon), Roman (Roman Gabriel). Father was a QB at Hawaii.
Fact
6 Years, 3 Schools, 18,722 Career Yards
UCF (8,037 yards), Oklahoma (6,828 yards), Oregon (3,857 yards). Second all-time in FBS career passing yards behind Case Keenum. The most well-traveled, most productive QB in college football history.
The Person
From Mililani, Hawaii. Filipino and Native Hawaiian descent. Father Garrett was a QB at the University of Hawaii. Mother Dori played college softball at Loyola Marymount. All three brothers named after NFL players: Garrison (Garrison Hearst), Dillon (Corey Dillon), Roman (Roman Gabriel, the Filipino-American NFL MVP from the 1960s). Listed at 5-11, 205 lbs. Consistently doubted for his size. Fell to Round 3 (Pick 94) in the 2025 NFL Draft despite being one of the most decorated QBs in college football history.
NFL
Drafted in the 3rd round (#94 overall) by the Cleveland Browns in 2025. Backup quarterback. The draft slot understates his impact at Oregon. Some players are worth more to a program than their draft position suggests.
Sources: Sports Reference, 247Sports, GoDucks.com, ESPN
What does Gabriel's one year at Oregon mean for the program?
you hear it building...
end of the third quarter...
54,000 on their feet
AUTZEN IS SHAKING
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