Dillon Gabriel's prowess on the football field was on full display Saturday night, as the transfer quarterback helped orchestrate a nail-biting victory for Oregon over Ohio State. In what was a defining moment for both Gabriel and the Ducks, the quarterback totaled 341 yards through the air on 23 of 34 passing and scored a critical late-game touchdown on foot to edge out a 32-31 win against the Buckeyes. "Every time I went and looked at his eyes tonight I saw a guy who was composed and ready for his next moment," Oregon coach Dan Lanning said in a statement obtained by KGW. The Ducks' flawless record was maintained, now sitting comfortably at 6-0 as they ventured deeper into their inaugural Big Ten season.

Despite the heroic display against Ohio State, it wasn’t always smooth sailing for Gabriel. Having experienced a few weeks of erratic and troublesome support from the offensive line, the quarterback's deep passing game suffered. Forced throws inside the red zone were unfortunately noticeable, as described by OregonLive, tainting otherwise definitive wins at UCLA and Michigan State. However, noticing flaws in the Ducks’ armor, Gabriel's adaptability and persistence kept Oregon's winning mantra alive.

As the season unwinds, Gabriel's spirited performances are sparking more than just win columns; they're igniting Heisman Trophy considerations. The pivot finds himself in a tight race with contenders like Ashton Jeanty. Oregon's next hurdle is the Purdue Boilermakers, and while the matchup seems lopsided with Oregon favored by 28 points. The underdog card was played last week when Vanderbilt stunned Alabama, a stern reminder that in college football, giants can fall just as easily as the rest.

As the Ducks prepare to take their game on the road, facing Purdue on Friday, Oct. 18, at 5 p.m. PT. "Upsets can happen," stressed the analysts over at Sports Illustrated.