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It looks like Oregon football is a more vulnerable team than people thought going into the season, as it only beat FCS program Idaho 24-14 at home on Saturday. Luckily for the Ducks, though, quarterback Dillon Gabriel appears to be okay after injuring his hand.
Gabriel had a positive update on Tuesday, via Ducks Wire's Zachary Neel.
“After the game, Gabriel didn’t go into much detail about the injury other than saying it wasn’t serious, and on Tuesday after practice, he gave another brief, but positive update,” Neel reported. “‘Hand’s good,' Gabriel said. ‘Just a bucket of ice and we’re rolling.'”
Gabriel completed 41-0f-49 passes for 380 yards (7.8 yards per attempt) and two touchdowns with a lost fumble against the Vandals. The senior was forced to air it out due to Oregon's ineffective run game, which averaged just 2.9 yards a carry. The Ducks were demoted from third to seventh on the AP Top 25 due to the uneven performance against an inferior opponent.
Oregon will need to come correct this Saturday, though, as its FBS slate starts with a home date against Boise State. Will Gabriel help lead the Ducks to a better showing against the Broncos?
Dillon Gabriel will continue to be Oregon football's heartbeat
A good sign for the Ducks is that head coach Dan Lanning was not satisfied with Saturday's result. After Lanning said he was “disappointed in the process” following the victory, he empowered the team with his locker room speech, via Sports Illustrated's Bri Amaranthus.
“We are playing us, we are playing Oregon,” Lanning nodded his head. “So when you play Oregon next week, what is your measure? What you do, is you dust yourself off and say here is where I can get better. Here is where I can make my team better. Every one of you should be really proud to wear that green. I promise you I'm proud to coach you.”
A coach who holds his players accountable while also inspiring them to be the best version of themselves is the mark of a good leader. Combine that with Gabriel, who was a first-team All Big 12 honoree last year leading the offense, and Oregon has a good recipe for success.
