EUGENE, Ore. — Maryland football coach Michael Locksley said during the week the Terps may have been “dumb enough” to play up to their opponent, No. 1 Oregon, on Saturday. They looked the part early.

Then, the Ducks outclassed Maryland, unequivocally showcased in a five-play sequence early in the second half. They ran for 36 yards on a fake punt, used a double reverse flea flicker to force a pass interference and scored a touchdown with an offensive lineman.

Oregon simply overmatched Maryland as the game continued, handily beating the Terps at Autzen Stadium, 39-18. The Terps (4-5, 1-5 Big Ten) fell to 2-6 all-time against top-ranked teams.

“We didn’t execute at the level we need to,” Locksley said. “When we’re playing good teams like Oregon, they do not need help.”

Heisman Trophy contender Dillon Gabriel had no issues with Maryland’s secondary. The Big Ten’s leader in passing yards and completion percentage finished with 183 yards and three touchdowns, breaking the all-time FBS all-time total touchdowns record. The senior produced without his best wide receiver Tez Johnson, who missed the game with an injury.

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A robust run attack aided Gabriel. The Ducks (10-0, 7-0 Big Ten) ran for 180 yards and 5.8 per carry. It was the fifth — and second straight — 100-yard rushing game the Terps have allowed this season.

Locksley elected to start with his offense on the field after winning the opening coin toss. The decision let Maryland strike early with a 37-yard field goal, snapping its streak of four straight games trailing first. The lead didn’t last long.

Oregon’s dynamic offense has excelled this season thanks to a strong one-two punch — Gabriel through the air and Jordan James on the ground.

James, who entered the outing top-five in the Big Ten in both rushing yards and touchdowns, starred on the Ducks’ second drive. In a three-play sequence, he converted a fourth-and-one with a strong seven-yard run, caught a Gabriel pass for 26 yards and powered his way in for a score, which put Oregon ahead, 7-3.

Gabriel led a 12-play scoring drive right before halftime. Subtle footwork in the pocket gave tight end Terrance Ferguson time to get open in the back of the end zone on third-and-goal, corralling a nine-yard pass for a touchdown and a 21-10 lead.

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Oregon, which entered Saturday averaging a tick under 24 first-half points a game, only had two offensive touchdowns in the first two quarters. Its defense provided a third score.

Edge rusher Jordan Burch forced a Billy Edwards Jr. fumble on a third down sack early in the second, which cornerback Brandon Johnson recovered and took 62 yards for the Ducks’ first defensive touchdown this year.

But that unit wasn’t clean in the first half. It endured costly penalties on Maryland’s lone touchdown drive of the half.

Safety Tysheem Johnson was penalized twice with pass interference — including on a fourth down incompletion — and defensive tackle Derrick Harmon grabbed Edwards’ face mask on a sack. Roman Hemby capitalized on Oregon’s miscues with a one-yard touchdown.

The Terps’ didn’t score again for another 21 minutes and 50 seconds. Their deficit grew by two touchdowns during that span.

“When you play the number one team in the country, you got to be able to score touchdowns,” Edwards said.

A pair of Edwards interceptions effectively sealed the result. Edwards endured his worst outing of the season.

Maryland’s bowl game chances took a significant hit with the loss. It’ll need to win two of three against Rutgers, Iowa and No. 6 Penn State to clinch eligibility — those teams are a combined 19-9.

“Every week is live or die for us,” safety Dante Trader Jr. said.