Dillon Gabriel lost his favorite receiver in the first half of Saturday’s game against Michigan, and yet he didn’t miss a beat.

The leading quarterback for the No. 1 team in America completed 16 of his 22 first-half passes for 217 yards and a touchdown. He ran for another 26 yards and a score. And Oregon took a 28-10 lead into the break.

With the ball going to the Ducks to begin the second half, Oregon will have a chance to make this even more lopsided. Coach Dan Lanning preaches about the importance of the “middle 8” — the last 4 minutes of the second quarter and the first 4 of the third quarter — and Oregon was certainly locked in to close out the half.

The Ducks took over possession at their 20 with 1:47 remaining in the half before sprinting 80 yards in 7 plays to score. It was their fourth touchdown on 5 first-half possessions. Gabriel broke loose for 23 yards up the middle for his sixth rushing touchdown of the season.

That score was Gabriel’s 177th career touchdown, moving him just 1 score away from tying Case Keenum for the all-time career FBS touchdown record.

Oregon outgained Michigan 304-111 in the first half. The Wolverines went just 1-for-6 on third down while Oregon converted 5 of its 6 third downs. The Ducks were only flagged one time. The only damage Michigan did in the first half came off a special teams turnover that started the Wolverines inside the Oregon 30.

There were questions about whether Oregon, traveling across the country to play in a massive venue, would come out a little sluggish.

Quite the opposite, to Michigan’s dismay.