The nation’s top-ranked team was too much for Michigan as No. 1 Oregon dispatched the Wolverines 38-17 in Ann Arbor on Saturday.
Oregon quarterback Dillon Gabriel threw a touchdown pass and ran for a score in another efficient performance from the Heisman Trophy frontrunners.
The Ducks (9-0, 6-0 Big Ten) appeared to get a break on their first touchdown when Gabriel’s two-yard pass to Evan Stewart appeared to have fallen, but they didn’t need much luck to remain undefeated.
The Wolverines (5-4, 3-3) tied the game at 7 all on Davis Warren’s 7-yard touchdown pass to Tyler Morris, taking advantage of backup returner Ryan Pellum fumbling on a punt return. They trailed for the rest of the game.
Oregon had 304 yards of offense in the first half and led 28-10 at halftime before cooling off.
The Wolverines had a chance to get within a touchdown midway through the fourth quarter, but turned it over on downs at the Ducks 10 on a trick play where receiver Semaj Morgan threw to backup quarterback Alex Orji.
Gabriel finished 22 of 34 for 294 yards with a touchdown and sprinted up the middle for a 23-yard touchdown run to give Oregon an 18-point halftime lead.
The Ducks overcame the loss of No. 1 receiver and punt returner Tez Johnson with an apparent shoulder injury in the first quarter. On Oregon’s second snap, Johnson caught an 11-yard pass and landed on his right shoulder as he was tackled to the turf. He returned to the sideline out of uniform with his right shoulder in a sling.
Johnson leads the Ducks and is among the NCAA leaders with 64 receptions. The senior has 649 yards receiving, eight receiving touchdowns and one score on a punt return of 85 yards.
Jordan James gave the Ducks poise, running for 117 yards and a touchdown with 25 seconds left to cap off the rout.
Warren was 12 of 21 for 165 yards with a career-high two touchdowns, connecting with Morgan and Peyton O’Leary in the end zone. Colston Loveland had seven catches for a career-high 112 yards for the Wolverines.
Oregon: Losing Johnson to injury was a setback, but the Ducks didn’t miss a beat. Traeshon Holden took full advantage of a bigger role. The former Alabama receiver matched a career-high with six catches and nearly doubled his previous career-high with 149 yards receiving.
Michigan: Mistakes doomed Sherrone Moore’s team’s chances of being more competitive, including an illegal formation penalty on a punt return that allowed the Ducks to keep the ball and kick a field goal to lead 31-17 late in the third quarter to come.
Oregon will likely remain No. 1 in the AP Top 25.
Oregon: Hosts Maryland on Saturday.
Michigan: Plays No. 13 Indiana on the road Saturday.
___
Receive poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 all season long. Sign up here. AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-football
