Ducks’ Gabriel now 2nd in FBS history in pass TDs

EUGENE, Oregon — Oregon quarterback Dillon Gabriel threw his 18th touchdown of the season Saturday against Illinois, passing former Boise State quarterback Kellen Moore for the second-most touchdown passes thrown in FBS history with 143.

Gabriel, who had three touchdown passes and a rushing score — all in the first half — in No. 1 Oregon’s 38-9 win over No. 20 Illinois, found Noah Whittington with a 2-yard shovel pass toward the end of the second half for a score that put the Ducks up 35-3.

Gabriel now trails former Houston quarterback Case Keenum (155) for the most passing touchdowns in FBS history.

The 23-year-old sixth-year senior has been in college since 2019 and spent three seasons at UCF (70 passing touchdowns) and two seasons at Oklahoma (55) before transferring this offseason to Oregon, where he has put together a Heisman-contending season. Gabriel has thrown for more than 3,000 passing yards in four separate seasons and is well on his way to another season over that threshold. He had 291 yards on 18-of-26 passing Saturday, giving him 2,371 yards on the season.

He also had three carries for 5 yards and one interception against Illinois.