Dillon Gabriel’s journey could have storybook | College News

Quarterback Dillon Gabriel has spent his school profession trying to find the right match.

His six-season odyssey has been long and arduous, crossing the Pacific Ocean and spanning coast to coast — stretching from his home state of Hawaii to Orlando, Fla., to Norman, Okla., and at last to Eugene, Ore.

Every transfer, resolution, triumph and setback has led him to Pasadena, the place he faces a win-or-go-home Rose Bowl showdown towards Ohio State (11-2). Gabriel will both information Oregon (13-0) one step nearer to a championship or close the chapter on his school profession.

“You wish you had him for longer, but we’re happy with his progress,” Oregon offensive coordinator Will Stein mentioned. “When he’s out on the field, he makes everybody feel at ease because of his leadership, because he’s seen it all.”

Gabriel’s profession combines longevity — due to prolonged eligibility from a season-ending harm and a COVID-19 12 months — with veteran decision-making that has solidified him because the chief of the No. 1 group, which defeated the Buckeyes 32-31 in October.

When evaluating expertise, Ducks coach Dan Lanning emphasizes to his employees the significance of discovering people who’re trying to find the best match — not probably the most handy — and prepared to make sacrifices.

Nearly a 12 months earlier than profitable the Big Ten championship, Lanning discovered his man in Gabriel. The coach welcomed an undersized, often-dismissed expertise who had bounced round with various levels of success, trying to find a slot in his ultimate 12 months of eligibility.

To make this final stop rely, Gabriel made the mandatory sacrifices that Lanning sought. Throughout the season, he repeatedly demonstrated the toughness to deal with last-minute drives and troublesome down-and-distance conditions, in keeping with Lanning.

“Nothing fazes him, that’s the cool thing about him,” Stein added.

Gabriel had proven the talents to succeed during his prolific begin at Central Florida and his two-year stint at Oklahoma, 12 months after 12 months passing for more than 3,500 yards and 25 touchdowns.

He’s introduced that capability to Oregon, posting related numbers. But more importantly, he has showcased intangibles like “toughness” and “poise” — traits that have impressed Lanning and his employees probably the most.

Gabriel’s prolonged school profession has fostered his maturity and veteran management, which have grow to be defining traits. Having simply celebrated his twenty fifth birthday Saturday, he is identical age or older than some of the NFL’s rising quarterbacks, together with Brock Purdy, Jayden Daniels and C.J. Stroud.

“You never know how tough somebody is until you’re in the trenches with them,” Stein mentioned. “You really don’t know them until you’re in the game, and how tough he is has been extremely impressive.”

Inheriting a championship-caliber program with just one 12 months to make an impression, Gabriel needed to rapidly embrace his function, construct relationships and earn teammates’ trust.

“His ability to connect with his teammates is unlike anybody I’ve been around,” Stein mentioned. “He treats the eighth-string walk-on like he’s a first-string starter. … He’s truly a unique individual, and I’m really glad he’s on our team.”

From Day 1, tight finish Terrance Ferguson, one of Gabriel’s many offensive weapons, knew they’d click on.

“As soon as I knew I was coming back and he was going to be the quarterback, I said we’re going to be best friends no matter what,” Ferguson mentioned. “We became best friends, and anytime he wanted to throw the ball, I was there. It didn’t matter if it was in Hawaii, L.A., or in our backyard.”

The two constructed sturdy chemistry on and off the sector. Even their fiancées grew to become close buddies, typically becoming a member of the duo for dinner as {couples}.

Gabriel’s dedication to the Ducks has paid off.

A record-breaking season? Check.

He handed Case Keenum’s all-time whole landing file with 187 and is on the verge of breaking even more of Keenum’s marks. He wants three passing touchdowns to move the 155-touchdown milestone and solely 794 passing yards to say the all-time file (19,217).

A Heisman Trophy finalist? Check.

Gabriel completed third in voting, changing into simply the fifth Oregon participant to be a finalist and the second Hawaiian-born participant at school historical past, becoming a member of 2014 winner Marcus Mariota, whom Gabriel idolized growing up.

One accomplishment has eluded him — profitable a national championship. Much like his seek for the right match, he nonetheless seeks the success that makes each transfer, resolution, triumph and setback worthwhile.

“To be in these moments you dream of and want to be in,” Gabriel mentioned, “it’s something I’ve been preparing my whole entire life for. … You know the opportunity at hand and what’s at stake, that all goes into what’s to come.”

Once again, destiny has pitted him towards a group he beforehand defeated, main his squad on a thrilling 74-yard drive to set up the go-ahead area aim. In that recreation, he delivered a Heisman-caliber efficiency, finishing 23 of 34 passes for 341 yards and two touchdowns whereas including a 27-yard landing run.

But as he seems to be forward to Wednesday’s recreation, he doesn’t dwell on the previous.

“Nothing in the past can help you in the future,” Gabriel mentioned. “Maybe try and see if you could do something different here and there. But that’s why it’s history.”

Prepared as at all times, Gabriel now leads a battle-tested, assured group, carrying the trust of his coaches and teammates as he strives to keep the journey alive for one more recreation.

“We have the best quarterback in the country that’s going to go out there and play his best on a big stage,” Stein mentioned.