Ducks’ Defense, Explosive Plays Lead Oregon Past Northwestern 34-14

 

EVANSTON, Ill. — Oregon’s first road test of the season came with some early discomfort, but the Ducks ultimately settled in and leaned on explosive plays, opportunistic defense, and steady quarterback play to dispatch Northwestern 34-14 on Saturday.

Northwestern’s plan was clear from the opening kickoff: shorten the game, pound the ball on the ground, and keep Oregon’s offense off the field. For nearly a quarter, the Wildcats succeeded. They controlled the line of scrimmage early, bottled up Oregon’s running backs, and pressured quarterback Dante Moore.

But the Ducks struck first. After Bryce Boettcher intercepted a tipped pass deep in Northwestern territory, Jayden Limar finished a short drive with a one-yard touchdown pitch to give Oregon a 7-0 lead late in the first quarter.

The Wildcats continued to find some success on the ground, but their passing game was largely ineffective. Northwestern completed just two of its first six passes for two yards, allowing Oregon to regain control of field position. Atticus Sappington’s 42-yard field goal midway through the second quarter extended the lead to 10-0.

Oregon’s offense then delivered its most complete drive of the half. Moore moved the Ducks 89 yards in just over four minutes, capped by a 24-yard touchdown strike to tight end Kenyon Sadiq. The 17-0 halftime lead came despite Oregon being pushed around in the trenches for much of the half.

The Ducks opened the third quarter with a decisive statement. Freshman running back Dierre Hill raced 66 yards for a touchdown on the first play from scrimmage to make it 24-0. Moments later, linebacker Jerry Mixon intercepted a pass and returned it deep into Northwestern territory. Jordon Davison powered in from short range to push the lead to 31-0.

Moore, who had been efficient and accurate, added another highlight in the third quarter with a cross-body throw to Malik Benson for 27 yards, though he later threw his first interception of the season on a misread into Tampa-2 coverage. Sappington added a 25-yard field goal early in the fourth to extend the lead to 34-0.

Northwestern finally broke through late, capitalizing on reserves in the game. Running back Cam Komolafe scored from two yards out to make it 34-7 with just over six minutes remaining. Then, after Oregon punted, Daniel Reeder sprinted 79 yards for a touchdown with 1:48 left to bring the final margin to 34-14.

Northwestern finished with 178 rushing yards, led by Reeder’s long touchdown and 59 yards from junior back Jacob Himon II. Quarterback Preston Stone completed 11 of 21 passes for 135 yards with two interceptions. Receiver Gavin Wilde was the top target with 55 yards.

Oregon’s defense finished with two sacks, four tackles for loss, and two interceptions. Linebacker Matayo Uiagalelei recorded one sack, while Mixon and Boettcher each had interceptions. The Ducks played a clean game, finishing with no penalties.

On offense, Moore completed 16 of 20 passes for 178 yards and one touchdown. Hill paced the rushing attack with 94 yards on just five carries, while Limar and Davison combined for two short scores. Benson caught four passes for 62 yards, and Dakorien Moore added 49 yards receiving on four catches.

The Ducks improved to 3-0 with the victory, while Northwestern dropped to 1-2.

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Key Takeaways

1. Explosiveness remains Oregon’s calling card. The Ducks generated nine plays of 20 yards or more, including Hill’s 66-yard touchdown run and several downfield completions.

2. The defense creates momentum. Two interceptions and a third-down sack in the first half kept Northwestern’s offense off balance and set up short fields for Oregon scores.

3. Discipline was flawless. Oregon committed zero penalties, a significant factor in a road environment that could have been more difficult had mistakes mounted.

4. The line of scrimmage is still a concern. Northwestern out-rushed Oregon 178-176 and controlled both lines early. Against stronger opponents, that imbalance could become more costly.

5. Depth continues to shine. Multiple running backs contributed, receivers spread the field, and reserves managed the clock late. Oregon’s roster depth helped secure the outcome despite some late breakdowns.

The Ducks were not dominant in every phase, but they were decisive when needed, converting turnovers into points and using explosive plays to break open the contest. The performance reinforced Oregon’s status as a contender, even as questions about line play linger heading into the heart of the schedule.

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