No. 1 Oregon defeats No. 20 Illinois, 38–9, improving to 8–0 behind Dillon Gabriel's 4 touchdowns

No. 1 Oregon lived up to that ranking in its first game since topping the AP Top 25. The Ducks decisively defeated No. 20 Illinois 38-9 in Eugene.

Oregon (8-0, 5-0 Big Ten) totaled 469 yards of offense on Saturday, led by quarterback Dillon Gabriel, who threw for 291 yards, three touchdowns and one interception on 18-for-26 passing. He also ran for a seven-yard score. Gabriel was eliminated with 8:12 left in the game.

Receiver Tez Johnson had six receptions for 102 yards, while running back Jordan James rushed for 83 yards on 15 carries.

With its toughest Big Ten tests against Ohio State and Illinois now passed, a 12-0 regular season record and a spot in the College Football Playoff appear imminent for Oregon. Away games at Michigan and Wisconsin as well as home games with Maryland and Washington are still on the Ducks' schedule.

Dillon Gabriel is now No. 2 all-time in NCAA TD passes

With his three touchdown throws, Gabriel moved into second place on the NCAA all-time list.

Gabriel's first TD pass came on Oregon's first possession, completing a nine-play, 83-yard drive by hitting Tez Johnson for a 31-yard score.

On the Ducks' next series, Gabriel found Justius Lowe deep up the middle for a 34-yard touchdown.

And just before halftime, Noah Whittington caught a two-yard pass from Gabriel for another Oregon touchdown. Gabriel also went for a score in the first half, giving the Ducks a 21-3 lead.

Gabriel's third TD pass moved him past Boise State's Kellen Moore to become second in his career with 143 TD passes. Gabriel reached his total in 58 games, while Moore appeared in 53 games.

The only man ahead of Gabriel now is Case Keenum, who threw 155 TD passes in five seasons (57 games) in Houston.

Gabriel now has 18 touchdown passes in his only season at Oregon, 55 in his two years at Oklahoma and 70 in three seasons at UCF.