The Oregon Ducks defeated the Penn State Nittany Lions 45-37 on Saturday night to claim their first Big Ten Championship. Quarterback Dillon Gabriel delivered a masterful performance, throwing four touchdown passes and leading Oregon to a historic victory in their inaugural season in the conference. The Ducks, now the only undefeated team in the FBS with a perfect 13-0 record, secured their spot as the No. 1 seed in the College Football Playoff.
Oregon’s offense was electric from the outset, scoring touchdowns on four of their first five drives. Gabriel connected twice with tight end Kenyon Sadiq in the first half, including a highlight-reel play where Sadiq hurdled a defender to reach the end zone.
Wide receiver Tez Johnson was unstoppable, setting a Big Ten Championship record with 11 catches for 181 yards and a touchdown. Running back Jordan James added two rushing touchdowns, including a late-game score that helped seal the win.
Penn State fought valiantly, relying on their dominant ground game to stay competitive. Kaytron Allen and Nicholas Singleton combined for over 200 rushing yards, with Allen adding a touchdown. Quarterback Drew Allar threw three touchdowns but was intercepted twice, including a game-clinching pick by Oregon’s Nikko Reed in the final minutes.
Oregon’s defense stepped up when it mattered most, with consistent pressure on Allar and critical stops from players like Bryce Boettcher and Jabbar Muhammad. Head coach Dan Lanning praised his team’s resilience after defeating three Big Ten powerhouses—Ohio State, Michigan, and Penn State—in one season.
With this victory, Oregon solidified their place as one of college football’s elite teams. As they prepare for the College Football Playoff semifinals at the Rose Bowl, the Ducks are now just two wins away from capturing their first national championship.
