Oregon Ducks Dominate Purdue for First Road Shutout in Over 30 Years

The No. 2 Oregon Ducks delivered a commanding performance on Friday night, securing a 35-0 victory over the Purdue Boilermakers. This win marked the Ducks’ first road shutout since 1992, underscoring their dominance in the game and solidifying their status as one of the top teams in college football.

Quarterback Dillon Gabriel was the star of the night, completing 21 of 25 passes for an impressive 290 yards and tossing two touchdown passes. Running back Jordan James also shone brightly, contributing two rushing touchdowns to the team’s efforts. With this victory, Oregon improved to a perfect 7-0 overall for the season and maintained a strong 4-0 record in the Big Ten.

Earlier this year, Oregon, alongside fellow programs USC, UCLA, and Washington, made the significant decision to leave the Pac-12 in favor of the Big Ten, a shift that has transformed the landscape of college athletics. The Ducks entered this game riding high after their thrilling 32-31 win against Ohio State, a historic achievement as it marked their first-ever victory over a top-two ranked opponent. However, they showed no signs of a letdown as they took the field at Ross-Ade Stadium in West Lafayette, Indiana.

“This place has a history of being a place people struggle to come play at, especially coming off highs like last week,” Oregon head coach Dan Lanning noted. “But I was proud that our guys were able to go out there and get a victory.” His pride was evident as the team executed a well-rounded game plan against a Purdue squad known for its ability to upset higher-ranked opponents, despite the Boilermakers struggling with a 1-6 record at the season’s start.

Purdue’s offense struggled to find its rhythm against Oregon’s solid defense, managing to rack up 301 yards but failing to convert those opportunities into points. From the outset, the Ducks’ offense proved relentless, scoring touchdowns on their first three possessions. Jordan James set the tone with two rushing touchdowns by the end of the first quarter, putting the Ducks ahead 14-0. Wide receiver Tez Johnson also made significant contributions, catching seven passes for 66 yards and adding another touchdown early in the second quarter.

The scoring continued in the second half as running back Noah Whittington crossed the goal line for another touchdown in the third quarter. Running back Jay Harris capped off the scoring with a 12-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter, putting Oregon up 35-0. The Ducks’ defense remained steadfast, and cornerback Kam Alexander sealed the shutout by intercepting a pass from Purdue quarterback Ryan Browne with less than 30 seconds remaining, denying the Boilermakers any chance of scoring.

As the Ducks pursue their first national championship in program history, they now have a chance to ascend to the No. 1 spot in the AP poll, depending on the outcome of the upcoming game between No. 5 Georgia and No. 1 Texas on Saturday night.

In other notable games, No. 13 BYU also made headlines with a dramatic 38-35 victory over unranked Oklahoma State, scoring a touchdown in the final ten seconds to maintain their undefeated record at 7-0.

Oregon’s strong performance against Purdue not only reinforces their position as a national contender but also demonstrates their potential to make a deep run in the postseason. With a formidable combination of offensive firepower and defensive resilience, the Ducks are poised to be a force to be reckoned with as the season progresses.