EUGENE, OR– The Oregon Ducks’ first season in the Big Ten Conference has started off with a bang under quarterback Dillon Gabriel. Gabriel was named the Associated Press (AP) Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year on Tuesday, capping off a terrific senior season that has energized the Ducks to a 13-0 record and a Big Ten Championship.
Close behind him on the AP all-Big Ten first team are Oregon offensive lineman Josh Conerly Jr. and defensive lineman Derrick Harmon, who have also been integral to Oregon’s success this season. Gabriel’s honor comes as one of three finalists for the Heisman Trophy and the league’s Offensive Player of the Year by Big Ten coaches and media.
Gabriel’s records this season are incredible. He is No. 2 nationally in completion percentage and holds the NCAA all-time record for total touchdowns. His leadership helped propel the Ducks to a recent 45-37 victory over the Penn State Nittany Lions in the Big Ten Championship, where he threw four touchdown passes.
Josh Conerly Jr. bolstered Oregon’s offensive line and earned first-team recognition from the conference’s coaches and media. Conerly has allowed very few pressures—just three—all season, part of the reason the offensive line became a finalist for the Joe Moore Award.
Derrick Harmon, integral to Ducks defense, Highlights from defense as he leads all FBS interior linemen in total pressures He received first-team honors from Big Ten media and coaches after his stellar play.
There were also a handful of Ducks on the all-Big Ten second team — inside linebacker Bryce Boettcher, who won the Burlsworth Trophy; running back Jordan James; wide receiver Tez Johnson; outside linebacker Matayo Uiagalelei. Boettcher is a two-sport, above-average athlete, and James was a leading rusher, scoring 1,253 yards and 15 touchdowns this season.
Despite injuries, Tez Johnson has emerged as a bright point, leading the team in receptions and winning the Big Ten Championship Game Most Outstanding Player award. His work has him among those on the verge of breaking Oregon’s record for receptions in a season.
The sophomore led the Big Ten in sacks, and double-digit sack artist Matayo Uiagalelei is a force with 10.5 tackles for loss for some added defensive punch. His play this season has been pivotal to Oregon’s victory, including a game-sealing interception against Wisconsin.
