Ducks respond with dominant 56-10 win over Rutgers

 

PISCATAWAY, N.J. — In the new era of college football, a single regular-season loss isn’t likely to derail a playoff bid — especially when it’s to a top-10 opponent. But the follow-up matters. Seven days after stumbling against Indiana, No. 8 Oregon answered loudly, routing Rutgers 56–10 on Saturday at SHI Stadium to make sure one setback didn’t beat the Ducks twice.

Oregon (6-1, 3-1) dominated all phases and built a 42–3 halftime lead, resetting two priorities that framed the week: limit explosive plays and tackle through contact. The Ducks’ secondary blanketed Rutgers receivers and the front swarmed ball carriers, holding the Scarlet Knights to three “X” plays all night (two runs, one pass) and just 79 passing yards on 8-of-27 attempts with two interceptions.

Dante Moore rebounded from last week’s struggles with ruthless efficiency, going 15 of 20 for 290 yards and four touchdowns with one interception before yielding to the reserves. Tight end Kenyon Sadiq caught two scores (4 receptions, 80 yards), and the ground game overwhelmed Rutgers (3-4, 0-4) with 415 rushing yards. Noah Whittington ran 11 times for 125 yards and two touchdowns, Jordon Davison added 100 yards and a score on just three carries — including a 67-yard burst — and freshman Dierre Hill Jr. tacked on a 35-yard TD.

Rutgers struck first after a Gary Bryant Jr. fumble gave the Knights a short field, but Oregon’s defense set the tone immediately. Brandon Finney and Ify Obidegwu broke up three straight contested throws to force a 51-yard field goal and keep it 3–0. From there, Oregon’s offense found its rhythm. Whittington’s 68-yard pitch left put the Ducks on top 7–3 with 11:52 left in the first quarter. Moore then engineered a 10-play, 87-yard drive capped by a 30-yard strike to Sadiq for 14–3.

A tipped ball by A’Mauri Washington produced the first takeaway when edge rusher Blake Purchase intercepted Athan Kaliakmanis. Oregon cashed in with a bit of trickeration — a reverse to Malik Benson followed by a reverse-flea-flicker — and Moore hit Sadiq again from 21 yards for 21–3 at 14:02 of the second quarter. Two snaps later, safety Aaron Flowers forced a fumble; Moore immediately found Dakorien Moore on a 34-yard post to make it 28–3 with 11:34 before halftime.

Whittington’s second touchdown — a 28-yard downhill burst — pushed it to 35–3, and after a 56-yard catch-and-run by tight end Jamari Johnson, Moore flipped a quick screen to Whittington for a 5-yard score and a 42–3 lead with 43 seconds left in the half. At the break, Oregon had 441 yards on just 33 snaps (13.4 yards per play); Rutgers had 117.

If there were questions about Oregon’s second-half standard, Davison answered them on the first offensive play after halftime, ripping off 67 yards and then punching in a 20-yard score one snap later for 49–3. Hill’s 35-yard touchdown made it 56–3 late in the third. The Ducks emptied the bench in the fourth quarter; their lone missteps after halftime were a missed 44-yard field goal and a muffed punt by Dakorien Moore that set up Rutgers’ only touchdown, a 6-yard run by Ja’Shon Benjamin with 6:40 to play.

Oregon’s defense, one of the Big Ten’s better pass units through six weeks, looked the part again. The Ducks logged eight pass breakups and three sacks, with Purchase (one sack, one interception) frequently collapsing the pocket and Flowers adding an interception in the third quarter. Linebacker Bryce Boettcher had a team-high seven tackles. Rutgers managed 202 total yards and converted 5 of 18 on third down.

Moore distributed the ball to 10 receivers; freshman Jeremiah McClellan caught two for 51 yards, and Bryant had two for 32. Backup quarterback Brock Thomas went 3 of 4 for 45 yards and hit McClellan on a 35-yard third-and-1 play action in the fourth quarter. Oregon finished 8 of 11 on third down and averaged 12.5 yards per snap.

The Ducks also met their two internal keys. Explosives favored Oregon 23–3 (630 yards to 47 on those plays), and the tackling was clean: Rutgers averaged just 2.9 yards per rush and generated minimal yards after contact outside of Benjamin’s lone 19-yard burst in the third quarter.

Kaliakmanis finished 8 of 25 for 79 yards with two interceptions for Rutgers. Benjamin led the Knights with 69 rushing yards and the late score.

Oregon returns home next week with its playoff goals intact and its identity reasserted — fast on offense, sound in space and stingy over the top — after a week spent ensuring one loss didn’t define the season, or the sequel.

Key Players

• Dante Moore, QB, Oregon — 15 of 20 for 290 yards, 4 TDs; set the early rhythm and answered pressure looks with poise.

• Noah Whittington, RB, Oregon — 11 carries, 125 yards, 2 TDs; 68-yard score flipped momentum and jump-started the rush avalanche.

• Jordon Davison, RB, Oregon — 3 carries, 100 yards, 1 TD; two-play, 87-yard solo drive out of halftime.

• Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon — 4 receptions, 80 yards, 2 TDs; red-zone weapon and chain-mover on third down.

• Blake Purchase, EDGE, Oregon — Interception, sack, constant pressure; helped cap Rutgers’ explosives to a trickle.

• Aaron Flowers, S, Oregon — Forced fumble and interception; tone-setter for a secondary that allowed just 79 passing yards.

Key Plays

• Whittington’s 68-yard TD (11:52, 1Q): Oregon’s first explosive and the game’s pivot from 3–0 Rutgers to Duck control.

• Sadiq’s 30-yard TD (6:25, 1Q): Finished a 10-play, 87-yard answer; affirmed pass-game timing after last week.

• Washington tip → Purchase INT (late 1Q): Field-position swing that preceded the trick-play touchdown.

• Reverse → reverse flea-flicker to Sadiq (14:02, 2Q): 21–3 cushion, showcased Oregon’s aggression after takeaway.

• Dakorien Moore’s 34-yard TD (11:34, 2Q): One-snap strike after Flowers’ forced fumble; 28–3 and rout on.

• Davison’s 67-yard burst, then 20-yard TD (12:26/11:44, 3Q): Opened the half with a knockout two-play drive.

• Hill’s 35-yard TD (3:42, 3Q): Depth on display; ground game dominance continued behind the left side.

• Rutgers’ lone TD (6:40, 4Q): Came off a muffed punt; one of the few blemishes along with the missed FG.

Looking Ahead — Wisconsin at Oregon (Eugene)

Oregon returns home with its identity sharpened: explosives on offense, leveraged tackling, and top-tier pass defense. Against Wisconsin, those pillars will be tested by a program that traditionally leans on line-of-scrimmage physicality, ball control, and play-action shots off a downhill run threat.

What travels to next week:

• Explosive balance: 23 gains of 15+ yards tonight (630 yards on those plays). Replicating that mix forces lighter boxes and softens third downs.

• First-down efficiency: 12.6 yards per first-down play; staying ahead of the sticks keeps Wisconsin’s fronts out of attack mode.

• Tackling/YAC control: Rutgers was held to 2.9 yards per rush with minimal yards after contact; similar discipline will be vital against a more physical run game.

• Coverage integrity: Eight pass breakups and two picks; Wisconsin’s shot plays off play action demand disciplined eyes and clean handoffs in the secondary.

Keys vs. Wisconsin:

1. Win the A-and B-gaps early. Force second-and-long to blunt the Badgers’ play-action menu.

2. Protect edges on boot/nakeds. Set firm contain so play-action keepers don’t become chain-moving scrambles.

3. Stay explosive without turnovers. Take the verticals when available, but value drives; Wisconsin thrives if you shorten your own possessions.

4. Special teams cleanup. Eliminate the muff and convert makeable field goals; close games often hinge on hidden yards.

If Oregon carries over its explosive efficiency and tackling consistency, Autzen should set the stage for another statement opportunity back in Eugene.