Dillon Gabriel felt he and Oregon State were a “perfect” match when he committed to Oregon State, and Saturday night proved his instincts correct.
The top-ranked Ducks remained undefeated despite the onslaught of No. 3 Penn State, winning the Big Ten game 45-37.
The Ducks led by as many as 18 points in the first half, scoring touchdowns on four of their first five drives. Penn State chipped away and got back up to four points, but after regaining a 14-point lead midway through the third quarter, Oregon State appeared to be gaining momentum with a 38-24 lead.
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The Oregon Ducks score a touchdown during the first half of the 2024 Big Ten Football Championship game against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Lucas Oil Stadium on December 7, 2024 in Indianapolis, Indiana. Jordan James No. 20 and Marcus Harper II No. 55. (Aaron J. Thornton/Getty Images)
But the Nittany Lions weren't dead yet. Caitron Allen had runs of 32 and 26 yards on the drive, finishing the job with a 1-yard score. However, their version of the Philadelphia Special failed, although James Franklin actively chose to go for two.
Oregon's offense then continued its usual routine, with a 12-play, 75-yard drive that saw Jordan James score his second touchdown and take a 45-30 lead with 7:28 remaining.
But Penn State survived, and on fourth-and-10, Drew Allard narrowly escaped a sack and scored in the end zone for an eight-point lead. He then forced a three-and-out. However, Aller went deep and was picked. Penn State ran out of timeout, so Oregon State got the first down and won the title.
The Oregon Ducks score a touchdown in the first half of the 2024 Big Ten Football Championship game against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Lucas Oil Stadium on December 7, 2024 in Indianapolis, Indiana. Kenyon Sadiq #18. (Aaron J. Thornton/Getty Images)
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Tez Johnson caught 11 passes for a Big Ten championship record 181 yards and a touchdown. Dillon Dabriel completed 22 of 32 passes for 283 yards and four scores.
Oregon State will likely be the No. 1 seed in the playoffs, and despite the loss, Penn State is certainly a candidate to host a game in the first round. They will learn their fate early Sunday afternoon.
Donte of the Oregon Ducks celebrates his interception against the Penn State Nittany Lions in the second quarter of the 2024 Big Ten Football Championship at Lucas Oil Stadium on December 7, 2024 in Indianapolis, Indiana. Manning #8. (Justin Casterline/Getty Images)
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It's the Ducks' first conference title since winning the Pac-12 in 2020 and sets them up for their first playoff appearance since the playoffs were created in 2014.
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