By Lily Crane

The Ducks’ first game of the 2024 season was the beginning of their quest to win a National Championship — but Saturday’s outcome wasn’t what many expected it to be.

Oregon defeated Idaho 24-14 in a game where transfer quarterback Dillon Gabriel and the offense struggled.

“Stats are one thing, but we’re focused on winning,” Gabriel said. “A win’s a win, I’ll say that, but there’s a lot we need to improve on.”

The Ducks’ season kicked off on defense. The Vandals’ first drive lasted for three plays with two one-yard gains and an incomplete pass. Their next drive wasn’t any better, as it was also a shortlived possession that ended with a turnover on downs.

Gabriel went 6-for-7 and picked up 57 yards on his first drive in an Oregon uniform. It ended with seven points for the Ducks. Wide receiver Tez Johnson completed the seven-yard catch for the first Oregon scoring reception of the season.

“I just knew I wouldn’t have that success without my teammates. Obviously, the coaches trusted me and my teammates trust me,” Johnson said. “I just gave it my all and just continue to be that guy for the team. If it’s not me trusting that someone else is gonna make the play too.”

The next pair of possessions for the Ducks weren’t as pretty. They had a drive that lasted a minute and seven seconds without securing a first down and then a drive that ended in a missed field goal from 52 yards out.

Gabriel finished with 380 yards in the game but struggled to lead his offense into the endzone, especially in the second half.

Running back Jordan James rushed for Oregon’s second touchdown of the game before halftime. It was shortly after Brandon Johnson intercepted the ball in the endzone in a critical defensive stop.

James and Brandon Johnson were two of the standouts for the Ducks on Saturday. James tallied 95 rushing yards to go along with his touchdown. Johnson had three total tackles with his interception.

“I thought he showed up in big moments,” head coach Dan Lanning said. “The pick in the end zone was a really, really big play, obviously, for us. I’m excited about the player that Brandon is just what we thought we were getting when we brought him in. I think some of that showed up today.”

But Idaho found the endzone twice in the second half. The Vandals held Oregon scoreless in the third, while they scored their first touchdown. Ducks kicker Atticus Sappington converted on a field goal from 26 yards, but Idaho pushed it back to a one-score game on the next drive.

A Tez Johnson receiving touchdown and a Nikko Reed interception sealed the win for Oregon.

Both the offense and defense performed well on paper, but the Ducks will need more dangerous drives if they’re going to contend with the giants of the Big Ten.

“Great teams are able to learn from tight matches. This was a tight match and we didn’t create some of the explosive plays I was hoping we could create,” Lanning said. “Offensively, gave up a couple critical plays on defense, so certainly some things for us to attack.”

The Ducks will return to Autzen Stadium next Saturday against Boise State. The matchup will be streamed on KWVA 88.1 FM.