The College Football Playoffs continue this week with the Quarterfinals.
Former Mililani Trojan and current Oregon Duck Quarterback, Dillon Gabriel, is set to make his first CFP appearance this season.
Oregon currently sits as the #1 seed in the entire playoffs, and will face #6 Ohio State on New Year’s Day in the Rose Bowl.
“Exactly why you play the game, You know, to be in these moments and moments you dream of and want to be in. So it’s something I’ve been preparing for my whole entire life and I’m excited for it,” said Gabriel.
This will be the second time Oregon and Ohio State will have faced off this season, the previous time the Ducks won 32-31 in Eugene, Oregon.
Oregon being in the tournament also marks the first time in the CFP since Hawaii’s Marcus Mariota led the Ducks to a National Title appearance in 2014-15.
For Gabriel, following in Mariota’s footsteps and leading the Ducks to a Rose Bowl and CFP appearance is special for the QB.
“We’ve got a good group of guys who’ve played in a bunch of big games and big time moments that have achieved and also have been on the other side of it. So I think that’s a great balance for us to learn and know that we’ve got to prepare a certain way, but also knowing the opportunity at hand and what’s at stake. I think that all kind of goes into what’s to come,” said Gabriel.
The Rose Bowl will be Oregon’s first game in nearly a month.
“We’re excited. You know, the the Rose Bowl is special and, you know, I think everyone knows that around the country and just us getting our opportunity to play in it, you know, we’re excited for it,” said Gabriel.
#1 Oregon vs #6 Ohio State – January 1st, 2025 at 12:00pm HT in Pasadena, California.