Oregon quarterback Dillon Gabriel throws out a cross because the Oregon Geese host the Maryland Terrapins at Autzen Stadium Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024 in Eugene, Ore. File-setting quarterback Dillon Gabriel and undefeated Oregon will probably be out to solidify the highest spot within the Faculty Soccer Playoff rankings when the Geese go to inconsistent Wisconsin in a Large Ten matchup at Madison, Wis., on Saturday.
Oregon (10-0, 7-0), No. 1 within the CFP rankings launched Tuesday, routed Maryland 39-18 final weekend behind three scoring passes by Gabriel, who broke the NCAA document for complete profession touchdowns.
Wisconsin (5-4, 3-3) is coming off a bye after a 42-10 loss at Iowa, one of many worst defeats in Luke Fickell’s two years as coach.
“We’re nonetheless having lots of enjoyable, developing each single day to get higher and discover methods to enhance,” Oregon coach Dan Lanning mentioned Monday. “The problem of this new convention, the journey and among the groups that we acquired to play, it has been lots of enjoyable for us.”
Gabriel, a sixth-year switch from Oklahoma, accomplished 23 of 34 passes for 183 yards in opposition to the Terrapins. That gave him 180 complete touchdowns (147 passing, 33 dashing), surpassing the 178 touchdowns (155 passing, 23 dashing) that Case Keenum produced for Houston from 2007-11.
Gabriel leads the nation in cross completion proportion at 74.1 p.c (237 of 320) for 284.8 yards per sport, with 22 touchdowns and 5 interceptions.
Gabriel and the Geese’ passing sport current apparent difficulties for the Badgers’ secondary.
“They are going to be challenged in several methods,” Fickell mentioned Monday. “That is the fantastic thing about faculty soccer. You might be challenged each week in lots of other ways and this one could also be one we’ve not seen actually the complete yr.
“The power for them to throw the ball downfield. The dynamic of the extensive receivers that they’ve. Clearly, the quarterback and the power of him to make performs each along with his toes and within the air.”
James Jordan paces the Geese’ floor sport with 946 yards (5.7 per carry) and 10 touchdowns.
Oregon has been environment friendly within the purple zone with 39 scores in 44 alternatives, together with 32 touchdowns.
The Geese, who’ve scored 30 or extra factors in every of their previous 9 video games, common 35.7 factors whereas permitting 16. Oregon averages 457 yards per contest and is giving up 293.7.
Wisconsin took consecutive early-season losses to Alabama and Southern California, then dominated Purdue, Rutgers and Northwestern throughout a three-game profitable streak. Nonetheless, the Badgers have since misplaced to Penn State, now No. 4 within the CFP rankings, and Iowa.
Of their 5 victories, the Badgers outscored opponents 34.4 to eight.6 per sport, with a 454-239 common benefit in complete yards. In 4 losses, Wisconsin was outscored 37.5 to 13.5.
Redshirt sophomore Braedyn Locke, who took over at quarterback when Tyler Van Dyke suffered a season-ending knee harm in opposition to Alabama, threw two expensive interceptions in opposition to Iowa. Locke has accomplished 56.8 p.c of his passes for 177.3 yards per sport, however he has eight picks together with eight landing tosses.
Towards Iowa, the Badgers allowed 329 dashing yards, 6.1 yards per carry.
Within the groups’ most matchup, Oregon edged Wisconsin 28-27 within the 2020 Rose Bowl when the Geese had been nonetheless within the Pac-12. The Badgers haven’t defeated a No. 1-ranked staff since a 31-18 upset of Ohio State in 2010.
–Area Stage Media