Oregon vs. Michigan State score, takeaways: No. 6 Ducks throttle Spartans ahead of showdown with Ohio State

Oregon used a punishing ground game to take down Michigan State, set up a monumental battle with Ohio State next week

No. 6 Oregon cruised to a 31-10 win over Michigan State on Friday, marking its first Big Ten conference win at home. Oregon star quarterback Dillon Gabriel threw a pair of first-half red-zone interceptions, but the Ducks dominant ground game helped them get on track and stay unbeaten ahead of a monumental showdown next weekend at home against Ohio State.

Oregon running back Jordan James rushed for a career-high 166 yards on 24 carries. James scored a 3-yard touchdown run in the second quarter that extended the lead to double-digits, and the Ducks never looked back.

The Ducks came into the game averaging 152.2 yards on the ground, good enough for No. 76 in the country. Oregon outgained Michigan State 477-250 in total offense and rushed for a season-high 213 yards.

Michigan State's first series of the evening was promising. The Spartans went for it on fourth-and-2 near midfield and Aidan Chiles connected with Nick Marsh for a 44-yard gain. Chiles fumbled the ball on the ensuing play, and MSU's offense totaled less than 20 yards on its next seven offensive drives. 

Oregon (5-0, 2-0 Big Ten) will face Ohio State next weekend in what looks to be one of the top games of the college football season. Both programs came into 2024 as top contenders to win the Big Ten and next weekend's showdown could decide who has the inside track to earn a bid to the conference title game and potentially the automatic berth to the inaugural 12-team College Football Playoff.

Michigan State (3-3, 0-2) Year 1 of the Jonathan Smith era 3-0, but has since dropped its last three games to Boston College, Ohio State, and Oregon. The schedule won't get easier for MSU, as the next four games are against Iowa at home, at No. 10 Michigan, No. 23 Indiana, and at No. 24 Illinois. 

The schedule eases up at the end with home games against Purdue and Rutgers, but the Spartans likely need at least one upset to avoid missing a bowl game for a third consecutive season.

  • Oregon has won 26 straight games against AP-unranked foes. The Ducks have also won 23 straight at home against unranked opponents. Their 11-game home winning streak is the sixth-longest in FBS and second-longest in the Big Ten behind Washington (17). 
  • Spartans running back Kay'Ron Lynch-Adams found the end zone on a 1-yard run with 8:27 to go in the game. The score broke a streak of nine-straight quarters without allowing an offensive touchdown for the Ducks,  dating back to the second quarter of their 49-14 win over Oregon State. 
  • This is the first time since 2012-13 that the Ducks have started back-to-back seasons 5-0. It's the fifth time in six years they have started conference play at 2-0. 
  • Michigan State came into the season hoping to hang its hat on a salty, experienced front seven. But that hasn't been the case so far. The Spartans have been outrushed 400-106 in its last two games. The Spartans were outgained on the ground 185-47 last week by Ohio State. 
  • The Spartans have committed 14 turnovers on the season, which is tied with Auburn for the most in the FBS. 

Read on below for more takeaways from Oregon's win over Michigan State on Friday. 

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The schedule doesn't get easier for Michigan State

After starting the season 3-0 in Year 1 of the Jonathan Smith era, the Spartans have dropped their last three games to Boston College, Ohio State, and Oregon. The schedule won't get easier for MSU, as the next four games are against Iowa at home, at No. 10 Michigan, No. 23 Indiana, and at No. 24 Illinois. The schedule eases up at the end with home games against Purdue and Rutgers, but the Spartans likely need to pull off at least one upset to break a two-year bowl drought. 

 
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James' big day could be a sign of things to come for Oregon's run game

James spent last season serving as the backup to Bucky Irving, and he's taken full advantage of his opportunity as a starter. James recorded a career-high in rushing yards (166) and racked up his third 100-yard rushing game of the season. James will need all the momentum he can get when he goes up against a stout Ohio State run defense next weekend. The Buckeyes rank top five in the country in rushing yards allowed (61.8) and yards per attempt (1.84) and have only allowed one rushing touchdown through the first four games of the 2024 campaign. Oregon may be known for its dynamic passing game, but if James can open up the run, it could help keep a lethal Ohio State offense off the field.

 
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Gabriel's mistakes weren't costly, but he'll have to play cleaner next week

Dillon Gabriel is one of the most accurate passers in college football history and he has rarely turned the ball over, so watching him throw two first-half interceptions was uncharacteristic for one of the most experienced players in the sport. Coming into this game, Gabriel had completed 81.5% of his attempts and with only one interception on the season. That changed on Friday when the Oklahoma transfer threw two first-half interceptions (both in the red zone) to take points off the board. Gabriel's interceptions didn't cost Oregon in the end, but missed opportunities like that will be far more costly against Ohio State.

 
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Looking ahead to Oregon's showdown with Ohio State next weekend

FINAL: No. 6 Oregon 31, Michigan State 10

When Ohio State travels to Eugene to face Oregon next weekend, there will be a lot at stake. Oregon and Ohio State are Tier 1 in the list of Big Ten contenders, and the winner will have an inside track of reaching the conference title game and earning the automatic berth to the new 12-team College Football Playoff. Whoever wins next weekend will also add a marquee win to their respective résumé, which could help earn an at-large CFP berth if there is a midseason slip-up. The last time these teams squared off was during the 2021 season when Oregon went into Columbus and secured a 35-28 win. Ohio State leads the all-time series 2-1.

 
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Michigan State on the board

MID 4Q: No. 6 Oregon 31, Michigan State 7

Michigan State just put together its best offensive drive of the night. Kay'Ron Lynch-Adams scored on a 1-yard touchdown run to cut Oregon's lead to 24 with 8:27 left. Michigan State had punted on its previous six drives (not including the kneel-down drive at the end of the first half) before that touchdown.

 
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Oregon extends its lead

EARLY 4Q: No. 6 Oregon 31, Michigan State 0

On fourth-and-goal, Oregon went for it and it paid off. Gabriel connected with Johnson for a 2-yard touchdown to extend Oregon's lead to 31. Oregon's offense has looked incredible tonight and has racked up 471 yards of total offense.

 
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Oregon in control

END 3Q: No. 6 Oregon 24, Michigan State 0

We have reached the end of the third quarter from Eugene and Oregon is fully in control heading into the final period. The Ducks will open the fourth quarter at Michigan State's 36-yard line and points on this drive would almost certainly put this game away.

 
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Oregon extends its lead

MID 3Q: No. 6 Oregon 24, Michigan State 0

It's been all Oregon tonight. The Ducks extended their lead to 24 on a 50-yard field goal by Andrew Boyle. Outside of Michigan State's opening offensive, Oregon's defense has been fantastic. Oregon is outgaining Michigan State 411-122.

 
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Michigan State punts to open third quarter

EARLY 3Q: No. 6 Oregon 21, Michigan State 0

Oregon forced a punt on Michigan State's opening drive of the third quarter. The Spartans have recorded 20 or fewer yards of offense on each of their last six drives. 

 
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Second half underway 

Michigan State will get the ball to start the third quarter.

 
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Oregon in control heading into halftime

HALF: No. 6 Oregon 21, Michigan State 0

No. 6 Oregon leads Michigan State 21-0 at halftime in what has been an eventful Friday night showdown in Big Ten play. Oregon star quarterback Dillon Gabriel threw two first-half interceptions for the first time since Nov. 2022, but the ground game has been the difference in building a double-digit halftime advantage.

Oregon star running back Jordan James rushed for a career-high 151 yards in the first 30 minutes of play. Gabriel's 9-yard touchdown pass to Texas A&M transfer Evan Stewart in the closing seconds of the first half extended the lead to 21. The Ducks have outgained the Spartans 363-103, and 192 of those yards have come on the ground.

Michigan State picked up 65 yards on its opening possession, but Aidan Chiles fumbled inside Oregon's 5-yard line to derail a successful opening drive. The Spartans didn't gain more than 20 yards on their last four drives before the intermission.

 
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Oregon finds the end zone

MID 2Q: No. 6 Oregon 14, Michigan State 0

After turning the ball over deep in Michigan State territory on its last possession, Oregon wouldn't be denied. Oregon used a 7-play, 55-yard drive, which ended with a 3-yard touchdown run by James to extend the lead to 14. James already has a career-high in rushing yards (133) before halftime. 

 
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Gabriel throws another interception

EARLY 2Q: No. 6 Oregon 7, Michigan State 0

Oregon's promising offense drive came to a screeching halt after Gabriel threw his second interception in the red zone. Coming into this week, Gabriel hadn't thrown multiple interceptions in a game since he threw three in a 38-35 loss to Baylor in Nov. 2022 when he was at Oklahoma.

 
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Michigan State punts again

EARLY 2Q: No. 6 Oregon 7, Michigan State 0

After a promising opening drive resulted in a turnover deep in Oregon territory, Michigan State hasn't been able to muster up much offense. The Spartans recorded 65 yards of total offense on that opening drive but have just 17 yards since.

 
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Oregon leads after one

END 1Q: No. 6 Oregon 7, Michigan State 0

We have reached the end of the first quarter in Eugene, and the first 15 minutes of action have featured a little bit of everything. Michigan State and Oregon both turned the ball over inside the opponent's 5-yard line, Holden made one of the most impressive catches of the season, and James already has 83 yards rushing. The Ducks have recorded 152 yards of total offense (compared to 67 for Michigan State.)

 
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Oregon strikes first

LATE 1Q: No. 6 Oregon 7, Michigan State 0

Oregon's 7-play, 75-yard drive ended with a 9-yard rushing touchdown by Gabriel to get on the scoreboard first. Gabriel took a big hit a few plays before that touchdown run and missed one play. Oregon star running back Jordan James already has 83 yards rushing approaching the end of the first quarter.

 
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Oregon WR makes incredible catch on his back

Oregon wide receiver Traeshon Holden just made the play of the game thus far. On first-and-10, Gabriel took a shot deep downfield to Holden, and the Oregon star wide out made the catch on his back. The bad news for Oregon fans on that play is Gabriel took a big hit at the end of the play and was down on the field heading into the commercial break. Gabriel is currently standing on the sidelines and in for him is UCLA transfer Dante Moore.

Update: Gabriel missed one play and is back on the field for Oregon.

 
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Michigan State can't capitalize on turnover

LATE 1Q: No. 6 Oregon 0, Michigan State 0

Oregon's defense forced a three-and-out after Gabriel threw an interception in the end zone. Chiles was sacked for an 11-yard loss on first down, and Michigan State couldn't move the ball downfield after that. Weird start to this one.

 
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Michigan State's defense answers

MID 1Q: No. 6 Oregon 0, Michigan State 0

After Oregon forced a turnover near the goal line, the Michigan State defense returned the favor. On third-and-goal, Gabriel looked to the endzone but was intercepted by Michigan State DB Malik Spencer. The Spartans will take over at their own 20 to open the drive.

Gabriel is off to an uncharacteristic start. He is 2 of 7 through the air for 10 yards in the opening nine minutes of play.

 
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Oregon gets a stop

Early 1Q: No. 6 Oregon 0, Michigan State 0

Michigan State rolled the dice by going for it on fourth-and-2 near midfield and it paid off. Chiles connected with Nick Marsh for a 44-yard gain, but on the next play, the Michigan State star signal caller fumbled at the goal line. Oregon will take over at its own 20-yard line because it was ruled a touchback.

 
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Oregon punts on first series

Early 1Q: No. 6 Oregon 0, Michigan State 0

Oregon took a deep shot on its opening play from scrimmage, but Gabriel couldn't connect with Tez Johnson. Michigan State got pressure on Gabriel on third down, and Oregon will be forced to punt. 

 
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Here we go!

Michigan State wins the toss and will defer to the second half. Oregon will get the football first.

 
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Oregon QB Dillon Gabriel on pace to challenge Bo Nix's completion record

The Oklahoma transfer has settled right in at Oregon, currently leading the nation in completion percentage (81.5%) while ranking in the top 15 nationally in multiple major passing categories. This strong start comes just one year after Bo Nix set a new NCAA single-season record with a 77.4% completion percentage, showcasing just how efficient the Ducks have been in the last couple of years with offensive coordinator Will Stein. And that's not the only records Gabriel is chasing, as the sixth-year senior continues to climb up the career lists and threaten Case Keenum's all-time NCAA records for passing yards and passing touchdowns. 

 
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Aidan Chiles leads Michigan State's offense in his third road start

When Jonathan Smith left Oregon State for Michigan State, then-Beavers quarterback Aidan Chiles also made the move to East Lansing. A promising high school prospect who saw action as a true freshman backup in 2023, Chiles took control of the Spartans' starting job and been a part of both the highs and lows fort the offense in 2024. Chiles has eight total touchdowns (five passing, three rushing) but also eight interceptions through five games, including three picks in a four-point loss at Boston College. If the Spartans are going to pull off the upset, the offense will need to play a cleaner game than it did the last time out on the road. 

 
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Oregon riding success of improved offensive line play

While Gabriel carries an efficient body of work on the season, the offense as a whole was falling short of expectations in the early weeks of the season. One reason was inconsistent offensive line play. The group was dealing with injuries and still trying to find the right combinations of players across all positions, but over the last two games has settled into a groove for the first time all year and finally started to thrive like Oregon lines from recent years. Oregon has not allowed a sack in the last two games and the rushing attack has put together its two best performances of the year.

 
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Oregon vs. Michigan State prediction

After struggling in a pair of tough road trips to Maryland and Boston College, this will be the steepest challenge yet for a Michigan State team still early in its rebuilding process. Maybe that plays out in the Spartans' favor because they are battle tested, but a cross-country trip on a short week after playing Ohio State is a brutal turn of the schedule. Oregon has a lot of advantages on the field already, so I can see the Ducks being able to choose their score.  Pick: Oregon -24