Fifth Quarter 2025: Oregon survives sluggish offense in win over Wisconsin

 

Autzen gave us a grinder, not a fireworks show. Oregon leaned into a 99-yard, 16-play first-half march to settle nerves, survived an injury scare to Dante Moore, and rode a run-first reset plus a stingy, bend-don’t-break defense to a 21–7 win over Wisconsin. Participation was notably tighter than in earlier wins—fewer bodies in the skill rotation, fewer experimental packages—and the Ducks opted for control over volume: 34:26 time of possession, 203 rushing yards, and a clean turnover ledger to close it out. As Dan Lanning put it afterward, “It was going to be hard to throw in those conditions… Dante got dinged, but we’re excited for Brock and how he stepped in.”

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Offense — B-

What it was: A labored start, then a philosophical pivot. The open—onside kick, three-and-out, and a flat early script—handed Wisconsin oxygen. Oregon averaged just 2.4 yards on first down in the first half and looked late on blitz IDs. The antidote: a 99-yard, 16-play drive (8:24) that re-centered the plan around gap-sound, patient runs and high-leverage throws. After halftime, the commitment to duo/inside zone plus constraint answers showed up immediately: Noah Whittington’s 45 yards in two snaps set the tone, and the QB transition didn’t shrink the call sheet—Brock Thomas went 4-for-4 for 46 yards and a TD.

How it won: Oregon finished with 203 rushing yards (4.5 per carry) and 3-for-4 in the red zone, stacking four- and five-yarders until explosives finally materialized (Dierre Hill Jr. for 28, Dakorien Moore’s 26-yarder from Thomas). The pass game was modest (13-of-19 for 132), but on schedule: chain-moving outs, the seam to Jamari Johnson (23), and a short-yardage special to eligible tackle Gernorris Wilson for the dagger.

Pain points: Protection recognition against delayed pressure and creepers was shaky early; Wisconsin logged multiple TFLs and got Oregon behind the sticks (eight runs stuffed). First-down efficiency lagged, magnifying third-down volume (14 attempts). The opening call sheet simply didn’t have the same rhythm as last week.

Key players (with PFF context):

• Jordon Davison — 16 for 102 and 2 TDs; RB1 patience + contact balance (top offensive grade on the team).

• Noah Whittington — 97 yards and the post-half reset spark.

• Jeremiah McClellan — 3 for 40, 100% catch rate; all three moved the chains.

• Dakorien Moore — 3 for 45, the explosive from Thomas that flipped field position.

• Iapani Laloulu / OL interior — best-graded lineman; better as the game wore on.

• Brock Thomas — perfect relief line and a TD to Wilson; poised in structure.

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Defense — B+

What it was: A lesson in persistence. The Badgers came in determined to mash the A/B gaps, and for stretches Oregon’s fits and tackle density weren’t quite right—Wisconsin averaged 3.8 per carry and found consistent 4–5 yarders. But the Ducks squeezed the passing game to almost nothing (7-of-21 for 86 yards), logged 6 PBUs / 6 QB hurries, and kept explosives off schedule until a fluky 42-yard scramble-heave set up the only score.

How it won: 196 total yards allowed (3.9 per play) and 3-for-11 on third down tell the story. Wisconsin’s longest run was 18; no sustained play-action shots materialized; and the Ducks forced the crucial backed-up punt that Gary Bryant Jr. returned to midfield to set up the 21-0 cushion. The interior tightened in the second half, and drive-ending negative plays finally showed up.

Pain points: Early downs: too many light boxes/out-gapped looks versus Wisconsin’s run density; not enough first-contact knock-back in the opening quarter. One scramble drill lapse (Hilton’s 42-yarder) spoiled the shutout bid.

Key players (with PFF context):

• Bryce Boettcher — team-best defensive grade; 6 tackles, 2 PBUs, and a forced fumble tone-setter.

• A’Mauri Washington — disruptive snaps inside; graded among the top three defenders.

• Bear Alexander — interior knock-back and 2 QB hurries; helped close B-gap air.

• Teitum Tuioti — early TFL at the 1; steady edge-set day.

• Dillon Thieneman — 7 tackles, 2 PBUs; erased throws in the quick game.

• Theran Johnson — sack + TFL + FF in timely moments.

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Special Teams — B

What it was: Aggressive and uneven. The surprise onside kick to open set the game’s intent (and was executed well), but the offense didn’t cash it in. James Ferguson-Reynolds hit the rugby pin at the 1-yard line, flipping a bad offensive sequence into field-position value. Kick coverage leaked to the 33 on the first standard kickoff. The fake-punt TD design was chef’s-kiss… then wiped out by a hold.

How it won: Net field position mattered in a low-possession game. The backed-up punt forced by the defense turned into Bryant’s return to the Oregon 46, jump-starting the drive that made it 21-0. Operationally clean day otherwise (no muff/gaffe).

Key players:

• James Ferguson-Reynolds — situational punting clinic; the 1-yard coffin changed leverage.

• Gary Bryant Jr. — the midfield return that iced the game state.

• Hands/KOR units — executed the onside and handled the ball cleanly in the rain.

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Coaching — B-

Plan & adjustments: The opening script and protection IDs were off—Oregon had just 21 yards mid-second quarter, and Wisconsin’s tight front plus late pressure confused the picture. Credit the staff for ripping the wheel: heavier run volume, a patience-based march (99 yards), and immediate second-half intent (Whittington, then Davison’s 20-yard TD). With Moore briefly out, the staff trusted Brock Thomas to throw, not just hand off, and stole a goal-line touchdown with eligible Wilson—good sequencing and constraint.

Game management: The onside reflected confidence in defense and a desire to choke possessions; it nearly paid off, but paired with an early three-and-out it risked gifting momentum. The fake punt was the right call for kill-shot timing and look… the penalty discipline (9-for-75) wasn’t. Rotation was noticeably tighter than past blowouts—only 19 targets spread to seven receivers, modest defensive cycling—which matched the game’s leverage but limited developmental reps.

Quote that fits the arc: Lanning emphasized how the day demanded humility and unselfishness—“It was going to be hard to throw… we had some really unselfish play, and I’m excited for Brock.” That was the identity: accept the mud, win the math, take the W.

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Bottom line

Not pretty, but purposeful. Oregon chose possession, pads, and patience over pyrotechnics—203 on the ground, +9 minutes TOP, 3-of-4 in the red zone, and a pass defense that erased anything on-schedule. The tape will circle first-down efficiency, early run fits, and penalty control, but the blueprint for November football showed up: run it when they know it’s coming, defend the paint, and squeeze win probability when the elements (and opponent) demand it.