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Oregon dominates Michigan and takes a 28-10 halftime lead

Dillon Gabriel ran down the middle of the field for a 23-yard score.

Gabriel saw nothing but a green field in front of him after Michigan's two safeties turned their attention elsewhere. When Gabriel took off, the Wolverines couldn't recover from their spatial error.

Gabriel is just one touchdown away from tying former Houston quarterback Case Keenum for all-time receiving touchdowns.

Oregon leads 28-10 at halftime.

The Ducks were in the driver's seat for most of the first half. They outscored the Wolverines 304-111 and gained 87 yards on the ground, while Michigan had 45 yards.

Gabriel completed 16 of his 22 passes for a whopping 217 yards with a touchdown. Meanwhile, Michigan's two quarterbacks, Davis Warren and Alex Orji, went a combined 5-for-10 for 66 yards and a score.

The Wolverines have conceded a touchdown on four of Oregon's five drives and have yet to record a tackle for a loss. The Ducks have now lost up to five tackles on the day.

Michigan settles for a field goal, cutting Oregon's lead to 11

After Oregon scored two unanswered touchdowns, Michigan knew it had to respond with a decisive drive late in the second quarter.

Davis Warren joined Colston Loveland in consecutive games. The tight end's first catch was an 18-yard gain. Then Loveland made the most of a flea-flicker play, gaining 36 additional yards before being pulled to the ground at Oregon's 19-yard line.

The Wolverines failed to reach the end zone on their next three attempts, eventually settling for a 38-yard field goal from Dominic Zvada that cut Oregon's lead to 11.

Michigan's defense will be looking for a big stop after Oregon scored touchdowns on three of its last four possessions.

Oregon takes a 21-7 lead after Whittington finds the end zone again

Oregon may have started at its own 6-yard line, but the Ducks marched down the field and went 94 yards on 10 plays to take a two-score lead.

On third-and-short, Dillon Gabriel threw a ball to Traeshon Holden for a 38-yard reception. Holden might have made it to the end zone if Aamir Hall hadn't tripped him up at Michigan's 6-yard line.

On the next play, Noah Whittington ran the ball for a 6-yard score, his second touchdown of the game.

Michigan trails 21-7 with less than five minutes left in the first half.

Michigan's offense was overwhelmed by Oregon's defense

Michigan couldn't respond on its next drive as the Wolverines stumbled for the third time Saturday.

Michigan's defense came up big and forced Oregon's first three-pointer of the game.

Ross James' punt bounced heavily in the Wolverines' favor, giving the home team possession at the Oregon 47-yard line.

But quarterback Davis Warren and the rest of the Wolverines missed the short punt that put them in good field position.

Tommy Doman's 36-yard punt was downed at the Oregon 6-yard line, where the Ducks will take the lead with nine minutes left in the first half.

Michigan trails 14-7 after Oregon RB scores 1-yard touchdown

Oregon regained the lead early in the second quarter.

Ducks tight end Terrance Ferguson was stopped just short of the goal line. However, on the next play, Noah Whittington punched the ball in for a one-yard score.

Officials took a moment to review the play but ultimately confirmed the score, which was Whittington's third rushing touchdown of the season.

Oregon is up 14-7 with 14:30 left in the first half.

At the end of the first quarter the score was tied 7-7

Michigan looked lethargic for most of the first quarter, but Oregon's special teams snafu may have revived the Wolverines' confidence.

Michigan scored the game-winning touchdown late in the first quarter when Davis Warren hit a ball with Tyler Morris, the wide receivers' second touchdown catch of the season.

The Wolverines gave the Ducks more problems, but Oregon ended the first quarter with Jordan James rushing 12 yards to the Michigan 21-yard line.

Oregon led Michigan in nearly every statistical category in the first quarter. The Ducks outscored the Wolverines 102-34 and took a 2-2 lead on third down, while Michigan converted on just one of its three third down attempts.

Michigan takes advantage of Oregon punt return snafu, tied at 7

After another unsuccessful three-and-out drive, Michigan caught a break on special teams.

While Oregon's regular punt returner was being treated in the locker room, the Ducks turned to Ryan Pellum.

Joe Taylor forced Pellum to fumble the ball and CJ Charleston jumped over it to allow Michigan to regain possession at the Oregon 28-yard line.

The Wolverine's took advantage of the second chance. Donovan Edwards ran up the middle, dragging two Oregon players before he was brought down inside the 10-yard line by Oregon, who was first to set up the ball and score.

Moments later, starting quarterback Davis Warren found Tyler Morris in the end zone for a 17-yard touchdown reception.

Dominic Zvada shot the ball through the uprights, tying the score at 7 apiece with 1:31 left in the first quarter.

Oregon scores with controversial catch

It only took Oregon 12 plays to find the end zone, although Michigan fans might disagree.

The Ducks took the field first, with the veteran quarterback connecting with Evan Stewart for a two-yard touchdown reception. With Oregon leading 7-0, replays of the broadcast showed the tip of the football hitting the ground as the commentators noted the play should not have been ruled a catch.

The piece was not reviewed.

Gabriel completed all seven of his pass attempts for 47 yards as Oregon moved the ball with ease. Michigan's undermanned secondary, without cornerbacks Will Johnson and Jyaire Hill, struggled to be disruptive.

Michigan OL suffers an injury

Michigan's roster may have just suffered another injury blow.

After being forced to punt the ball after an unsuccessful opening drive, the Wolverines were trying to stop Oregon's Tez Johnson when offensive lineman Jeffrey Persi appeared to twist his right ankle near the sideline.

Johnson returned the ball 21 yards, causing play to briefly stop before Persi limped off the field.

He was taken back to the team locker room for further evaluation.

Michigan has an unsuccessful opening attack

Derrick Harmon is no stranger to Michigan.

Harmon spent the last two seasons at Michigan State before transferring to Oregon in the spring.

That familiarity may have helped him on the opening play of the Wolverines' drive.

Harmon had a good performance, chasing running back Donovan Edwards behind the line of scrimmage, losing five yards.

Michigan's offense left the field two drives later when Oregon's defense forced a three-pointer.

Start

Michigan starts with the ball after Oregon wins the first throw.

The Wolverines will once again play without some key starters.

Cornerbacks Will Johnson and Jyaire Hill were both out for Saturday's game. Starting player Andrew Gentry is also unavailable after suffering a season-ending injury in last week's win against Michigan State.

Here's the full availability report, courtesy of Detroit News reporter Angelique Chengelis:

preview

Michigan may have gotten a much-needed confidence boost against its in-state rival last week, but will the Wolverines be able to keep those good vibes going this weekend?

It's going to be tough as Oregon travels to Ann Arbor on Saturday.

Nearly 11 months after winning outright, Michigan has stumbled this season while Big Ten newcomer Oregon has climbed to the top of the national rankings.

Very little has happened for the Wolverines so far. Michigan (5-3, 3-2 Big Ten) had instability at the quarterback position. But with Jack Tuttle retiring earlier this week and Alex Orji having persistent issues, Michigan has finally settled on Davis Warren as the team's starter at center forward.

Defensively, the Wolverines don't have nearly the bite they did a season ago.

Yes, the result reflected a win by Michigan last week against rival Michigan State, but the Spartans came out ahead in almost every category in the final result.

Meanwhile, the Ducks (8-0, 5-0) have proven to be one of the most dynamic and talented teams. It obviously helps that Oregon has a Heisman hopeful in center field in Dillon Gabriel, an arsenal of skilled playmakers and a strong defensive front.

Oregon, favored by two touchdowns, is the toughest opponent Michigan has faced this season since Texas in Week 2. During that match, the Longhorns defeated the Wolverines 31-12.

Follow here for live updates from Detroit News staff writer Madeline Kenney.

Michigan vs. Oregon

▶ Start: 3:30 p.m. Saturday, Michigan Stadium, Ann Arbor

▶ TV/Radio: CBS/104.3FM

▶ Line: Oregon at 14½

▶ Records: No. 1 Oregon 8-0 (5-0 Big Ten); Michigan 5-3 (3-2 Big Ten)

▶ Series: Michigan leads 3-2 (Last game: September 8, 2007 – Oregon 39, (at) Michigan 7)

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