After a shaky start to the season, the No. 6 Oregon Ducks have found their rhythm and now seem poised to make a serious playoff push. Following a dominant 34-13 win over UCLA, Oregon sought to keep their momentum rolling against a struggling Michigan State squad on Friday. Despite a few miscues and missed opportunities, the Ducks managed to impose their will on the Spartans. They secured a 38-10 victory that was more one-sided than the score suggests.
Photo Cred: USA Today
The game began with sloppy play from both teams, particularly in the opening quarter. Michigan State’s quarterback, Aiden Chiles came into the game leading the FBS in turnovers. He added to his season’s woes with a costly fumble at the 1-yard line. That mistake set the tone for the rest of the night. While Chiles posted a somewhat respectable stat line of 10/17 passing for 154 yards, he struggled to handle the pressure from Oregon’s defense. He was never truly found his rhythm.
His inability to convert in key moments, along with Michigan State’s porous offensive line, kept the Spartans from finding the end zone. They were limited to a lone field goal until garbage-time touchdown. On the other side, Oregon’s typically sharp offense showed flashes of brilliance. But there were also concerning signs of inconsistency, particularly from quarterback Dillon Gabriel. Known as one of the most accurate passers in the nation, Gabriel had an uncharacteristically rough night, throwing two interceptions in the red zone during the first half.
Photo Cred: USA Today
The first was an unfortunate misread, while the second was the result of a poorly timed pass under pressure. Despite those mistakes, Gabriel still put together an efficient performance. He finished with 257 yards on 20/32 passing with two touchdowns. Both coming in the second half as the Ducks pulled away. His overall completion percentage was lower than his usual standard, but his ability to bounce back after those turnovers helped stabilize the offense.
Without a doubt, the standout performer of the game was running back Jordan James. The junior from Nashville was a constant headache for Michigan State’s defense. He shredded them for a career-high 166 yards on 24 carries, with an impressive 6.9 yards per run. James showcased his explosiveness with a 40-yard run in the first half that set up a field goal. He found the end zone once on the night. His ability to break tackles and extend plays was key to Oregon’s clock control and offensive balance, allowing them to wear down the Spartans as the game progressed.
Defensively, Oregon’s senior edge rusher Jordan Burch made his presence felt from the first snap. Burch was a constant source of pressure on Aiden Chiles, registering 2.5 sacks, a fumble recovery, and numerous hurries that disrupted Michigan State’s offensive flow. Although his stat line of two total tackles doesn’t tell the whole story, Burch’s impact was undeniable. He was a thorn in the side of the Spartans’ offensive line all game long. He helped to keep Michigan State out of the end zone until the waning moments of the fourth quarter.
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If it weren’t for James’ dominant performance, Burch likely would have been the clear MVP of the game. While Oregon’s performance was far from perfect, the game was never in doubt after halftime. Michigan State, meanwhile, looked overmatched and lacked the discipline needed to stay competitive. The loss only deepens their struggles, and they will need to reassess if they have any hope of making noise in the Big Ten this season.
For Oregon, though, the real test lies ahead. A game against Ohio State may A win over Ohio State could catapult the Ducks into serious contention for a spot in the College Football Playoff, but another sloppy performance could spell trouble against a team of the Buckeyes’ caliber.
