Fifth Quarter 2025: Oklahoma State

 

 

Oregon delivered a layered, complete-team performance Saturday, overwhelming Oklahoma State 69-3 in a game where the Ducks controlled every phase. The stat sheet tells one story—631 total yards, 10.2 yards per play, and nine different touchdown scorers—but the tape and PFF grades reveal why this was more than just talent on display. From a creative opening script to defensive opportunism and elite special teams execution, this was Oregon playing complementary football at a championship level.

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Offense — Grade: A

Oregon’s offense opened with precision, built on an opening script designed to dictate tempo and stress structure. Dan Lanning credited the plan: “We put a real emphasis on our openers…what plays we feel really confident about. Our offensive staff has done an unbelievable job game-planning those situations.”

The results were immediate. After a simple rollout to TE Jamari Johnson set rhythm, Noah Whittington blasted a 59-yard touchdown up the middle on the second play. On the next drive, Whittington stoned a blitz, giving Dante Moore space to roll left and fire a 65-yard strike to freshman Dakorien Moore. Just 1:36 into the game, Oregon led 13-0.

From there, the Ducks layered personnel groupings, motion packages, and explosive shot plays. Dante Moore finished 16-of-21 for 266 yards, 3 TD, and a 229.7 passer rating while earning Oregon’s top offensive PFF grade (86.1). Twelve Ducks logged carries, and ten different receivers caught passes, a distribution that matched Lanning’s vision: “It’s hard to prepare for when multiple guys can score. Our team is the secret sauce.”

PFF confirmed the clean pockets that fueled the vertical game.

• Pass protection: Dave Iuli (87.0 PB) and Iapani Laloulu (83.4 PB) anchored the interior.

• Skill efficiency: Dakorien Moore (85.3), Gary Bryant Jr. (3 rec., 46 yards, TD), and Malik Benson (2 rec., 48 yards, TD) stretched Oklahoma State laterally and vertically.

• Run game: The Ducks averaged 8.4 yards per carry behind Whittington (91 yards, TD, 79.3 grade) and Jayden Limar (87 yards, TD, 78.9 grade).

Wideout blocking turned chunk plays into explosives. Peyton Woodyard praised it from the defensive perspective: “All our receivers [are] running to the ball…iron sharpens iron.” Limar explained why: “The big runs happen because people are blocking on the perimeter and downfield.”

Oregon averaged 11.1 yards per first-down play, scored on four red-zone trips, and hit 15 explosive plays for 465 yards. This wasn’t just balance—it was versatility weaponized.

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Defense — Grade: A+

If the offense set the tone, the defense buried Oklahoma State’s options early and often. The Cowboys finished with 67 passing yards, 3.5 yards per play, and just one red-zone trip all game. Oregon forced eight three-and-outs, collected two pick-sixes, and rotated 28 defenders without losing structural integrity.

PFF highlighted the Ducks’ defensive dominance:

• Jerry Mixon (PFF 96.8, highest in the game) led the charge with a pick-six and multiple disruption plays.

• Peyton Woodyard (84.1) added Oregon’s second defensive touchdown while blanketing verticals.

• Sione Laulea (84.3) and Ify Obidegwu continued to suffocate outside releases, limiting Oklahoma State’s WRs to 7 catches for 67 yards.

• Teitum Tuioti contributed a sack, 1.5 TFLs, and consistent pass-rush pressure while maintaining gap discipline, exactly as he described: “We know each week if we affect the quarterback, good things are going to happen.”

The Ducks were connected on the back end, aggressive up front, and disciplined across layers. Brandon Finney’s PBU on a deep shot typified the night—Oregon forced contested throws, and Oklahoma State didn’t win enough of them.

Even in personnel waves, there was no drop-off. “Strength in numbers,” Lanning said, pointing to 28 defenders recording tackles and seven pass breakups. That depth is foundational for the Big Ten gauntlet ahead.

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Special Teams — Grade: B+

While largely quiet due to Oregon’s dominance elsewhere, special teams executed their limited windows well:

• Dakorien Moore’s 15-yard punt return helped flip field position.

• James Ferguson-Reynolds placed a punt inside the five in his only attempt, maintaining Oregon’s field control.

• Coverage units held Oklahoma State to 13 yards per kick return and zero punt returns.

The lone blemish came on Atticus Sappington’s missed 57-yard FG, but given game flow, it was a calculated attempt with little downside. With Autzen’s energy humming, Oregon’s specialists were steady in their roles.

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Coaching — Grade: A+

This game reflected intentional planning and adaptive sequencing from Will Stein, Tosh Lupoi, and Lanning’s full staff. Oregon’s openers weren’t just scripted—they were designed to generate early stress points, forcing Oklahoma State into vertical coverage compromises and run-fit hesitations.

Lanning praised execution: “We want to be a team that can beat you by air and by land. That showed up today.” Stein’s play calling layered tempo shifts with explosive counters—a double-reverse flea flicker to Gary Bryant Jr. gained 28 yards because the groundwork was set earlier.

Defensively, Lupoi’s group choked off Oklahoma State’s horizontal stretch concepts and disguised rotations effectively. Lanning also emphasized Autzen’s role in dictating: “We had five pre-snap penalties on them…that’s Autzen’s impact.”

Importantly, the Ducks’ discipline improved after halftime. After five first-half penalties, Oregon committed just one in the second. That mirrors Lanning’s “standard of play” framing—tighten, adapt, elevate.

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Overall Grades

Unit	Grade	Key Drivers
Offense	A	631 yards, 10.2 YPP, 15 explosives, balanced scoring
Defense	A+	211 yards allowed, 8 three-and-outs, 2 pick-sixes
Special Teams	B+	Controlled field position, solid coverage, missed long FG
Coaching	A+	Elite scripting, layered creativity, disciplined adjustments

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Final Thought

If Week 1 showed Oregon’s defensive tone-setting, Week 2 showcased a complete blueprint. When this staff layers scripted aggression, balanced personnel, and depth-driven rotations, games flip early and stay tilted. Lanning put it best: “Our team is the secret sauce.”

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