Oregon vs. Illinois score, takeaways: No. 1 Ducks make statement with dominant showing against No. 20 Illini

Can anyone on the schedule challenge Oregon?

Illinois was the only remaining ranked team on Oregon's schedule, and if that proves to be the toughest team, the Ducks must be feeling pretty good about heading into the Big Ten Championship Game with an undefeated record.

Oregon's schedule is certainly manageable -- at Michigan, Maryland, at Wisconsin and Washington -- and the Ducks will likely be double-digit favorites in every game. The trip to Michigan is daunting because of the environment inside The Big House -- and Oregon's only road challenge has been a 49-14 win at rival Oregon State. 

The Ducks have scored 31-plus points in every game but the season opener. They've also beaten every opponent other than Ohio State and Boise State by double digits. Those teams' only losses of the season are to Oregon.

Nobody is safe this season, as evidenced by the four different No. 1 teams, but might the Ducks be the squad that figures to stand atop the polls the longest? It's difficult to find a potential stumbling spot on the schedule.

Oregon doesn't need to be aggressive to be explosive

What has made Oregon so scary over the last two weeks is just how much better they have been than opponents while remaining vanilla on offense. The Ducks keep it simple, throwing short passes to open up the running game and setting up Dillon Gabriel to manipulate safeties on downfield throws. He's had plenty of time to throw because of a solid offensive line. (On one touchdown pass in the first half Saturday, he had nearly 6 seconds in the pocket).

Not every team can be successful running this system, but Oregon has been stellar the last two years with veteran quarterbacks who simply convert on the "easy" throws behind receivers are willing to block for their teammates on the edges. Gabriel throws a beautiful deep ball, even though he's asked to make such plays often. When he does get the opportunity, he usually wins those matchups. He did it against Illinois -- particularly in the first half -- and several times in the 32-31 thriller against Ohio State two weeks ago when he attacked top-tier cornerback Denzel Burke three times for two touchdowns.

Twelve of Oregon's 17 explosive plays (runs of 10-plus yards and passes of 15-plus yards) occurred in the first half, and only three were designed passes beyond the first-down marker.

Simply put, Oregon is the most physical team in the Big Ten, and as they try to get more players healthy (when will pass rusher Jordan Burch return?), it's easy to believe the Ducks will only improve week to week.

Oregon impressive in debut as nation's No. 1 team

Final: Oregon 38, Illinois 9

Oregon and Illinois subbed in the backups midway through the fourth quarter with the game out of hand. The Ducks opted to run the clock out with its running backs to secure perhaps the easiest win of the season. 

It wasn't supposed to be this easy against the No. 20 Illini, but the No. 1 Ducks had no problem slowing them with haste inside Autzen Stadium. Dillon Gabriel threw for 292 yards and three touchdowns, building a 35-3 at halftime with relative ease as he also moved up to No. 2 in the FBS record books for career touchdown passes and passing yards. The defense picked off Illinois quarterback Luke Altmyer two times and sacked him three times as he completed less than 50% of his throws.

Oregon has out-scored its last two opponents 73-9 in the Big Ten.

Oregon adds on to the lead

Mid 4Q: Oregon 38, Illinois 9

Oregon kept it on the ground following Illinois' turnover on downs, and Dillon Gabriel completed a 16-yard pass, to tack on a 44-yard field goal from the foot of Andrew Boyle to extend the lead to 38-9 with 9:04 remaining.

Illinois tried to stretch the field on the ensuing possession, but Luke Altmyer was intercepted for the second time today. Sione Laulea was in tight coverage down the field and flashed his arm above his head for the pick. Oregon has the ball again with 8:18 remaining.

Oregon stops Illinois on fourth down

Early 4Q: Oregon 35, Illinois 9

Dillon Gabriel was picked off by Tyson Rooks, who returned the ball 27 yards to Oregon's 43-yard line, but the Illini came up empty on the ensuing possession.

The Ducks' defense was awesome on the final three downs of the possession. Linebacker Bryce Boettcher picked up his first sack of the season on second-and-7, Nikko Reed broke up a pass on third-and-12 and Brandon Johnson broke up another pass on fourth-and-12 as the drive stalled at Oregon's 34.

The Ducks just need to run out the clock, so don't expect Gabriel to throw many more passes as they nurse this 35-9 lead.

Illinois finally scores (with Oregon's help)

Late 3Q: Oregon 35, Illinois 9

Illinois keeps fighting and breaks through with its first touchdown late in the third quarter following a 16-play, 95-yard drive.

The drive was kept alive on a personal foul penalty charged to Derrick Harmon, who was flagged for tossing quarterback Luke Altmyer to the ground on third-and-10 on what should have been a three-and-out and punt in the shadow of Illinois' end zone. Instead, Illinois took advantage of the first down and 15-yard penalty, and methodically marched down the field, with Altmyer picking up 31 yards on two runs, and Ca'Lil Valentine finishing the drive with a 14- and 4-yard run.

Illinois unable to score after big pass

Early 3Q: Oregon 35, Illinois 3

Illinois finally went deep to one of its big receivers for a big gain (44 yards to Zakhari Franklin), but then stalled inside the 10-yard line, where Oregon's defense stood tall ad Ema'rion Winston batted down a pass on fourth-and-goal at the 2-yard line to end the first scoring threat of the afternoon.

Illinois finally eclipsed 100 yards on the drive, which ended after chewing up 73 yards on eight plays. Oregon takes over at its own 2-yard line with 10:44 remaining in the third quarter. 

Ducks simply too fast, too strong for Illini

Halftime: Oregon 35, Illinois 3

No. 1 Oregon has yet to experience a hiccup, and No. 20 Illinois seems to be treading mud on an otherwise beautiful afternoon in the Pacific Northwest. The Ducks lead 35-3 at halftime and are well on their way to remaining atop the AP and Coaches polls next week. 

Illinois' 32-point halftime deficit is the largest ever under Bret Bielema. Oregon, which shutout Purdue last week on the road, has outscored Its opponents 70-3 In the last six quarters.

Illinois knew it needed to keep the ball out of the hands of Oregon's offense; Bret Bielema's plan was no secret. The problem is Oregon is much faster at every skill position, and chasing down those receivers on screen passes and running backs on the edges has proven more difficult than expected for the Illini's defense. 

Oregon's 35 points is the most it has scored in the first half all season, yet another positive development for an offense that has hit its stride over the last three weeks in the Big Ten. Gabriel moved up to No. 2 in two more FBS career categories for touchdown passes (142) and passing yardage in the first 20 minutes. He has 246 yards on 16 of 20 passing at halftime to go along with three touchdown passes.

Gabriel has thrown for 200-plus yards and two-plus touchdowns in every game this season.

Illinois has only 89 yards of offense, which includes a 34-yard run. They're 1 of 5 on third-down conversions.  Oregon piled up 363 yards and picked up 18 first downs.

Oregon runs perfect 2-minute drill to score before halftime

Late 2Q: Oregon 35, Illinois 3

More short passes, more missed tackles and more fantastic running in open space led to yet another Oregon touchdown. This time it was in a 2-minute drill for the Ducks, who need only 2:03 to score on an eight-play, 89 yard drive.

Noah Whittington, who bowled over an Illini defender for the previous touchdown, touched the ball on three of the final four plays of the the drive, including  a quick flick pass for the 2-yard touchdown with 29 seconds remaining.

Whittington picked up 18 yards on a short pass, ran for 11 yards on a designed run and then scored on the 2-yard touchdown pass.

Oregon's 35 points is its most in the first half all season.

Ducks pulling away

Late 2Q: Oregon 28, Illinois 3 

Oregon is just a much better blocking team and everyone is playing their assignments so well. Oregon isn't doing anything incredibly aggressive on offense, but the short throws have led to double-digit gains because of fantastic blocking, and the running game has exploded with several running backs sharing carries behind a solid offensive line. The Ducks just converted a six-play, 54-yard drive into a touchdown. Noah Whittington's 18-yard run ended with the score, and was punctuated when he ran over a defensive back on the way to the end zone with 6:09 remaining in the first half.

It's all Oregon right now. The Ducks are out-gaining the Illini 274-51. 

Oregon has converted 5 of 7 third downs. Two have gone for touchdowns.

Oregon up three scores thanks to late-down conversions

Early 2Q: Oregon 21, Illinois 3

Just when you think Illinois has some momentum defensively, it gives up chunk plays on late downs.

On third-and-17, Dillon Gabriel hit Kenyon Sadiq on a quick screen and he picked up 16 yards to set up fourth-and-1. A beautiful play-action by Gabriel on the next play set up an easy 19-yard gain to the tight end, Patrick Herbert, who ran upfield along the right sideline. A few plays later, Oregon was in the end zone, celebrating after Gabriel's third touchdown of the game — a seven-yard run.

The Ducks have 220 yards of offense through the first 17-plus minutes of the game. Illinois, which has amassed only 53 yards (34 on one run) needs a response on offense here before it gets completely out of hand.

Game is finding a rhythm

End 1Q: Oregon 14, Illinois 3

The game has seemingly found a rhythm after Illinois came out of the gates a bit slow. The Illini's offense got a spark in the run game, picking up 40 yards (34 on one run), but Oregon's defense has kept them in check. Oregon's offense hasn't quite been stopped yet, though Oregon will open the second quarter with a third-and-12. The Ducks have 167 yards, including 125 yards passing from Gabriel.

Gabriel moved up to No. 2 in the NCAA record books for career passing yards (17,088) and touchdown passes (142) in the opening 15 minutes.

Neither team is doing anything outside the norm from previous weeks. Oregon continues to focus on the short passing game with screens and quick hitches, and even had a throw-back screen for a 19-yard gain, to open up the downfield routes. Illinois is at its best in the trenches, though there have only been sparks of success there rather than outright matchup advantages.

Big third down coming up for Illinois' defense coming up at the start of the second quarter.

Illinois gets on the board

Late 1Q: Oregon 14, Illinois 3

Illinois finally recorded an explosive play when Aidan Laughery broke off a 34-yard run (a career long) with 3 minutes remaining in the first quarter. Officials threw a flag for an illegal block in the back, but picked up the flag and allowed the run to stand. Oregon's defense held strong inside the red zone and the drive stalled at the 20 before David Olano kicked a 38-yard field goal with 1:34 remaining.

Nothing is working through the air for the Illini. Luke Altmyer is 2 of 5 passing for 13 yards with one interception. 

Dillon Gabriel moves up in NCAA record book

Dillon Gabriel's 34-yard touchdown pass to put Oregon ahead 14-0 midway through the second quarter also moved him up into a tie for No. 2 for career TD passes in the FBS. He ties Boise State's Kellen Moore. Gabriel is 13 touchdown passes away from Case Keenum's record of 155 touchdown passes (2007-11).

Oregon lulls Illini to sleep, goes deep for another TD

Late 1Q: Oregon 14, Illinois 0

Bingo. We mentioned earlier how Oregon's short passing game on the edges usually opens things up down the field. Well, the Ducks lulled the Illini to sleep at safety and the Ducks took the top off the defense with a 34-yard touchdown pass from Dillon Gabriel to Justius Lowe.

Gabriel 6 of 9 passing for 100 yards and two touchdowns with 6:05 remaining in the first quarter. The Ducks have converted all four third-down tries.

Oregon just fine playing slow, too

Oregon can play slow and methodical, too, Illinois. The Ducks just do it a bit differently in the passing game, which averages about 6.5 yards in the air. That's the worst average in the country, but the Ducks do it because they're so successful after the catch. It also opens up the passing lanes down the field, which resulted in several explosive plays against Ohio State two weeks ago.

So far, the Illini have no answer. The Ducks have converted four third downs and are outgunning them 107 yards to minus-5 yards after nearly 9 minutes.

Illinois' first drive resulted in minus-5 yards thanks to a 10-yard sack of Luke Altmyer by Teitum Tuioti. 

Oregon strikes first

Early 1Q: Oregon 7, Illinois 0

Oregon's short passing game continues to erode opposing defenses. The Ducks threw deep once (an incompletion), and utilized their screens and curls, along with great protection, to march down the field on the opening possession to grab a 7-0 lead with 10:49 remaining in the opening quarter.

Dillon Gabriel had roughly six seconds in the pocket on the touchdown thanks to Illinois rushing only three. He threw the ball to Tez Johnson, who zigged and zagged his way to the end zone for a 31-yard touchdown. The play completed a nine-play, 83-yard drive that burned 4:05 off the clock. How does Illinois' offense respond? The Illini want long possessions to keep the ball out of the Ducks' hands.

Pregame picks

Illinois comes into this matchup with confidence after picking up three victories against ranked teams in its first seven games. Traveling to face Oregon marks an upgrade in difficulty for the Fighting Illini, but they are equipped to keep their margin of defeat within this spread. The Ducks have covered a number this large just twice this season, and they've surpassed 40 points in a game just once. Illinois has enough offensive juice with Luke Altmyer at quarterback to find the end zone at least once and keep the outcome within the betting line available on FanDuel. Pick: Illinois +21.5

Check out our experts' picks below:

Oregon vs. Illinois live stream, where to watch, TV channel, football game odds, spread, prediction, pick

David Cobb

Matayo Uiagalelei's meteoric rise lifts Oregon

Matayo Uiaglelei has emerged as the cornerstone of No. 1 Oregon's pass rush in the absence of star Jordan Burch, who continues to nurse an injured knee he suffered 48 hours before kickoff against Ohio State in Week 7. Uiagalelei enters a monster showdown against No. 20 Illinois with sacks in four straight games, a career-best stretch, and is presumably rising up NFL charts for the 2026 draft. 

CBS Sports chatted with Uiagalelei and his family, which are admittedly experiencing some highs and lows this season as big brother DJ Uiagalelei suffers through a 1-6 start to the Florida State season. DJ may miss the remainder of the season with a broken finger that required surgery in early October.

The Uiagalelei brothers' diverting trajectories have led to deep conversations.

"When I talk to him, he's definitely not happy, but he's definitely not down on himself," Matayo said. "He's not feeling sorry for himself. But, shoot, the situation he's in, they're in a tough situation. We talk about football but really, it's just brother talk, talking about life. He's hurting. He's hurt right now, but he's doing good."

As the Uiagaleleis Turn: Meet Matayo, DJ's younger brother and Oregon's newest pass-rushing star

Brandon Marcello

Oregon pass rusher Jordan Burch ruled out

Oregon pass rusher Jordan Burch Is expected to sit out his third straight game with an injured knee, sources tell our Matt Zenitz. Burch was injured 48 hours before kickoff In Week 7 against Ohio State and has not yet returned to the field.

Is Bret Bielema the quintessential Big Ten coach?

Four years into Bret Bielema's second stint as a head coach in the Big Ten, he's doing what he did previously at Wisconsin, where he won three Big Ten titles earlier this century with a hard-nosed philosophy in the trenches and an opportunistic defense that forces turnovers in bunches.

Now in his 11th year as a head coach in the Big Ten, it has become clear that Bielema is the quintessential coach for the oldest conference in major college athletics.

"Well, I was born at Illini Hospital, I know that," Bielema told CBS Sports this week. "I've finally come home."

Illinois' Bret Bielema, already the school's best hire in over 30 years, is the quintessential Big Ten coach

Brandon Marcello