Quarterback Dillon Gabriel takes the field for the first time in an Oregon State spring football game at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Oregon.
Gabriel led the green team to a 28-23 victory over QB Dante Moore's white team in front of 40,000 Ducks fans.
“He just did his job,” Lanning said of Gabriel's performance this spring. “Great attitude and humble approach. He's the ultimate teammate.”
Oregon State quarterback Dillon Gabriel throws during warmups ahead of the Oregon Ducks' spring game.
Ben Lonergan/The Register-Guard/USA
At first glance, Gabriel gave shades of former Oregon Duck quarterback Marcus Mariota. Both are dueling threat quarterbacks. We both grew up in towns less than an hour from each other on Oahu. They both wear number 8.
Gabriel received Mariota's approval to do so. Back in December, Mariota “approved” Gabriel to wear the No. 8 jersey with the Ducks.
Gabriel had a solid performance in the spring game, linking up well with transferred wide receiver Evan Stewart on an impressive 49-yard pass. In his first game in a Duck uniform, Stewart, a self-proclaimed “jack of all trades,” led the Green team with 67 receiving yards.
Gabriel completed 14-of-21 for 163 yards, two touchdowns, and zero interceptions.
Entering 2024, Gabriel is considered a Heisman Trophy candidate with the third-best odds of winning the prestigious honor.
Good news for Gabriel. The Ducks were eliminated from the Cup by Playmaker. In the second half of the spring game, their offensive play stood out. White team running back Jordan James led the entire team in receiving with 73 yards on five catches.
After the game, receiver Tez Johnson drew attention by wearing a Denver Broncos hat in honor of his adopted brother Bo Nix. Knicks selected him 12th overall in the 2024 NFL Draft to the Denver Broncos. Johnson added 31 yards on five receptions.
Former Duck running back Kenjon Barner and linebacker Troy Dye also served as guest coaches during Oregon State's spring game.
During Lanning's third spring game as Ducks coach, he invited Eugene native and fan-favorite artist Matt Carney to a postgame concert on the field at Autzen Stadium.
The Ducks are now looking ahead to their first season in the Big Ten Conference.
