Ducks Digest

Oregon Stuns Iowa’s Upset Bid With Last Second Field Goal

Facing the final four games of their regular season, the No. 6 Oregon Ducks hit the road to face the No. 20 Iowa Hawkeyes. In a back and forth rain-filled showdown, a 39-yard field goal from Atticus Sappington clinches the game for Oregon.
Ally Osborne|
Nov 8, 2025; Iowa City, Iowa, USA; Oregon Ducks quarterback Dante Moore (5) warms up before the game against the Iowa Hawkeyes at Kinnick Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images
Nov 8, 2025; Iowa City, Iowa, USA; Oregon Ducks quarterback Dante Moore (5) warms up before the game against the Iowa Hawkeyes at Kinnick Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images | Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images

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Oregon DucksIowa Hawkeyes

After the bye week, the No. 9 Oregon Ducks stare down the final four games of their regular season, starting with a road matchup at Kinnick Stadium against the No. 20 Iowa Hawkeyes. Through rain-filled and windy conditions in Iowa City, both teams fought to the bitter end, with kicker Atticus Sappington making a 39-yard field goal to seal the deal for Oregon, winning 18-16.

In fact, 9 of Oregon's 18 points came from Sappington, who kicked for a combined 125 yards in field goals against the Hawkeyes.

The Hawkeyes brought a rush heavy offense and No. 3 nationally ranked defense (Oregon is No. 4) which presented quite the challenge for Oregon, holding the Ducks to 3-10 on third downs. Oregon's defense, however, was also a forced to be reckoned with. Linebacker Teitum Tuioti, despite an injury in the second half, had several instances of putting pressure inside the pocket and toward Iowa quarterback Mark Gronowski.

Iowa Hawkeyes tight end Hayden Large (88) runs for extra yards after a catch Nov. 8, 2025 during a Big Ten Football game at K
Iowa Hawkeyes tight end Hayden Large (88) runs for extra yards after a catch Nov. 8, 2025 during a Big Ten Football game at Kinnick Stadium against the Oregon Ducks in Iowa City, Iowa. | Julia Hansen/Iowa City Press-Citizen / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Linebacker Jerry Mixon shined for Oregon on defense, leading the team with 13 total tackles and 9 solo tackles. Middle linebacker Bryce Boettcher delivered a crucial sack against Gronowski, while Brandon Finney forced two fumbles on the day.

Offensively, Oregon struggled with major losses due to injury, as Gernorris Wilson stepped in for an injured Alex Harkey at right tackle. Leading wide receiver Dakorien Moore was ruled out for this game prior to kickoff, with Malik Benson and Jeremiah McClellan stepping up for receiver duties. Tight end Jamari Johnson stepped up in the abscense of Kenyon Sadiq, who was listed questionable and did not play, despite being on the sidelines in uniform.

Dante Moore turned in his third least accurate game of the season, going 62 percent in passing for 112 yards and one interception. Moore, who showed during Oregon's Wisconsin game that he does not fair well in heavy weather games, continued to fight till the end for the Ducks, even with a limp appearing the the third quarter after a 49 yard quarterback keeper run.

Follow along below for the live updates throughout Oregon's game against Iowa. The latest updates are at the top.

Nov 8, 2025; Iowa City, Iowa, USA; Fans brave the elements at Kinnick Stadium before the game between the Iowa Hawkeyes and t
Nov 8, 2025; Iowa City, Iowa, USA; Fans brave the elements at Kinnick Stadium before the game between the Iowa Hawkeyes and the Oregon Ducks. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images | Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images

FINAL SCORE: OREGON 18, IOWA 16

FOURTH QUARTER

Q4 00:00: Atticus Sappington's kick return is fumbled by Iowa's Braeden Jackson. Oregon clinched the win.

OREGON 18, IOWA 15

Q4 00:03 OREGON SCORES: Atticus Sappington drills a 39-yard field goal to put the Ducks on top.

Q4 00:07: Oregon calls a timeout.

Q4 00:23: Malik Benson catches a 24 yard first down pass from Dante Moore. Ducks in field goal range.

Q4 01:06: Noah Whittington gets a 3 yard first down.

Q4 01:51: Iowa's two point conversion is under further review due to the receiver being out of bounds. Call is overturned. Oregon is down by one with 01:51 on the clock.

OREGON 15, IOWA 16

Q4 01:51 IOWA SCORES: Gronowski runs it in for a quarterback keeper 3 yard touchdown.

Q4 01:55: Gronowski's throw is incomplete with no one around in the endzone. Fourth down and three.

Q4 02:00: After the two-minute time out, the Hawkeyes are 3rd and goal at the three yard line.

Q4 07:11: Gronowski makes a 40 yard pass to DJ Vonnahme for an Iowa first down.

Q4 08:42: Oregon's Jeremiah McClellan makes a crucial drop with the ball directly targeted to his body with a pass from Moore. Ducks punt.

Q4 09:00: Roger Saleapaga called for a holding penalty. Third down for the Ducks.

OREGON 15, IOWA 10

Q4 12:39 IOWA SCORES: Iowa's Drew Stevens kicks a 58-yard field goal, one of the longest in Iowa history.

Q4 12:51: Gronowski is hurried by A'Mauri Washington, bringing up a fourth down.

THIRD QUARTER

Q3 00:05: Ify Obidegwu called for a pass interference. 15 yard penalty and automatic first down. Oregon has 4 penalties for 47 yards this game.

Q3: Teitum Tuioti is back in the game for Oregon.

OREGON 15, IOWA 7

Q3 00:46 OREGON SCORES: Atticus Sappington sinks a 40-yard field goal for the Ducks.

Q3 05:32: Dante Moore takes a quarterback keeper 49 yards to the Iowa 36-yard line. Moore does have a slight limp after the play.

Q3 07:15: Brandon Finney forces a fumble with a tackle. Bear Alexander rips out the ball. The call is given in Iowa's favor, but Dan Lanning challenges the call. Call is overturned. Oregon's ball.

Q3: Teitum Tuioti went down hurt and is on the sideline. He is up and walking around.

Q3 08:44: After a 12 yard first down for Iowa (barely, as his foot could be argued out of bounds), Oregon is called for a face mask personal foul from Jacob Breeland. After official review, the play is upheld. 15 yard penalty and automatic first down for Iowa.

Q3 13:42: Iowa breaks up a pass from Dante Moore to Jeremiah McClellan for a fourth down and an Oregon punt.

HALFTIME | DUCKS 12, IOWA 7

SECOND QUARTER

OREGON 12, IOWA 7

Q2 00:00 OREGON SCORES: Atticus Sappington caps off the second quarter with a 46-yard field goal.

Q2 00:02: Timeout Iowa. Oregon prepares for a field goal.

Q2 00:12: Timeout Iowa.

Q2: Noah Whittington is becoming the go-to running back to counter the Hawkeyes' defense with 38 yards off two carries.

Q2 01:32: Senior Iowa DB Xavier Nwankpa goes to the sideline with an injury.

Q2 02:00: Two-minute time out.

NOTE: Gary Bryant Jr. is in the locker room with an ankle injury.

Nov 8, 2025; Iowa City, Iowa, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes quarterback Mark Gronowski (11) prepares to throw a pass against the Oregon
Nov 8, 2025; Iowa City, Iowa, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes quarterback Mark Gronowski (11) prepares to throw a pass against the Oregon Ducks during the first quarter at Kinnick Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images | Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images

OREGON 9, IOWA 7

Q2 05:43 IOWA SCORES: Gronowski throws to DJ Vonnahme for a 3 yard Iowa touchdown. Extra point attempt is good.

Q2 06:30: After only having 3 passing yards so far this game, Mark Gronowski sends a dart to Jacob Gill for a 38 yard first down into the red zone.

OREGON 9, IOWA 0

Q2 11:46 OREGON SCORES: Dierre Hill Jr. runs left behind Isaiah World and Emmanuel Pregnon to score a 19 yard touchdown. The play is under review. The ruling is upheld. Oregon sinks their extra point.

FIRST QUARTER

Q1 01:01: Teitum Tuioti pressures the Iowa pocket once again to put Gronowski on the run. Gronowski is then hurried by Ashton Porter for a fourth down. Iowa punts.

Q1 01:44: Teitum Tuioti gets a sack on Iowa quarterback Mark Gronowski.

Q1 05:22: Dante Moore throws an interception into the endzone, with Iowa's Deshaun Lee getting the ball for the Hawkeyes.

Q1 07:18: Gary Bryant Jr. goes to the sidelines with an injury. Yet another pertinent offensive injury for Oregon.

OREGON 2, IOWA 0

Q1 09:55 OREGON SCORES on a safety: On the kick return, the Iowa long snapper's ball goes over the kicker's head and bounces to the endzone. The kicker bats the ball from the one yard line. Officials are looking at illegal batting of the ball. After review, Oregon is given a safety.

Q1 13:03: Oregon's first drive also hits three unsuccessful plays to punt it back to the Hawkeyes. Several overthrows from Dante Moore.

Q1 13:25: After two tackles in a row from Bryce Boettcher, Iowa punts to Oregon off a three play, fourth down drive.

Iowa starts with the ball. Oregon won the toss and differed.

PREGAME

Nov 8, 2025; Iowa City, Iowa, USA; Oregon Ducks quarterback Dante Moore (5) throws a pass against the Iowa Hawkeyes during th
Nov 8, 2025; Iowa City, Iowa, USA; Oregon Ducks quarterback Dante Moore (5) throws a pass against the Iowa Hawkeyes during the first quarter at Kinnick Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images | Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images

Oregon Ducks Game 9 Captains

Wide reciever Gary Bryant Jr., offensive lineman Emmanuel Pregnon, linebacker Teitum Tuioti, and middle linebacker Bryce Boettcher are the game nine captains for Oregon.

INJURY REPORT FOR OREGON DUCKS

Out

Dakorien Moore, wide receiver
Sione Laulea, defensive back
Evan Stewart, wide receiver
Trey McNutt, defensive back
Da'Jaun Riggs, running back
Jayden Limar, running back
Dillon Gresham, wide receiver
Jack Ressler, wide receiver

Questionable

Kenyon Sadiq, questionable
Devon Jackson, linebacker
Alex Harkey, offensive tackle

INJURY REPORT FOR IOWA HAWKEYES

Out

Jarriett Buie, wide receiver
Lucas Allgeyer, offensive line

Questionable

None

Oregon running back Jordon Davison celebrates a touchdown as the Oregon Ducks host the Wisconsin Badgers on Oct. 25, 2025, at
Oregon running back Jordon Davison celebrates a touchdown as the Oregon Ducks host the Wisconsin Badgers on Oct. 25, 2025, at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Oregon. | Ben Lonergan/The Register-Guard / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Could Oregon See a Snow Game vs Hawkeyes?

According to the Weather Channel, Iowa City is expected to have a day temperature high of 46 degrees and an evening temperature low of 25 degrees with 100 percent chance of rain around kickoff.

The Weather Channel also reports 5-20 mile per hour winds throughout the day, so expect a wet and windy game for Oregon.

Iowa Hawkeyes fans fill the stadium for a football game against the Minnesota Golden Gophers Oct. 25, 2025 at Kinnick Stadium
Iowa Hawkeyes fans fill the stadium for a football game against the Minnesota Golden Gophers Oct. 25, 2025 at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa. | Julia Hansen/Iowa City Press-Citizen / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Kinnick Stadium Sells Out

To add to the difficulty of playing at Kinnick Stadium, the 69,250 seat venue is sold out as of Tuesday for Oregon vs Iowa.

Iowa is currently 4-1 for home games on the season. Since 2021, Iowa has gone 26-7 for games played at Kinnick. From 2008-2021, the Hawkeyes under current head coach Kirk Ferentz were 5-1 against AP ranked top-five opponents at home.

An Oregon Uniform First

Against the Hawkeyes, Duck fans may notice a first-of-it's-kind detail in Oregon's uniforms: white helmet wings.

According to designer Jonah Henderson, this is the first time in program history white wings are used on an Oregon helmet. The wings are already causing controversy online with Oregon fans. Henderson also referred to the uniform as the "Apple Crisp."

This year, Oregon accomplished several firsts with their uniforms. Against Wisconsin, Oregon debuted their first ever tie dye uniforms honoring rock band, The Grateful Dead. This year also marked the first two times Oregon ever debuted marble helmets against Oregon State and Rutgers.

MORE: Weather Concerns Mount For Oregon's Game Vs. The Iowa Hawkeyes

MORE: Ranking Oregon Ducks New Uniform Combination For Iowa Game

MORE: Injury Status of Iowa Quarterback Mark Gronowski In Flux Before Oregon Game

Oct 16, 2025; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Amazon Prime Thursday Night Football game analyst Kirk Herbstreit stands on the field du
Oct 16, 2025; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Amazon Prime Thursday Night Football game analyst Kirk Herbstreit stands on the field during halftime of the game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals at Paycor Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Katie Stratman-Imagn Images | Katie Stratman-Imagn Images

Kirk Herbstreit Makes Bold Iowa Game Prediction

While appearing on the Pat McAfee show on Thursday, ESPN College Football expert Kirk Herbstreit shared a bold prediction in a quiet manner about the Ducks.

"Hey, shhhh. Oregon loses Saturday," Herbstreit whispered to the camera.

"I'm telling you, we all love Dan Lanning, we all love the Ducks and their potential, but there's just something about certain teams in Iowa when you go to November," Herbstreit said. "If it were a night game, it would be a given. It'd be a loss. . . . I'm telling you, Iowa, typical Iowa, it's going to be ugly."

McAfee also shared his thoughts on the matchup later on in the program with ESPN's College GameDay analyst Stanford Steve.

"Iowa has maybe the biggest game that they've had in a long time during the regular season," McAfee said.

Oregon quarterback Brock Thomas, left, hands off the ball to running back Jordon Davison as the Oregon Ducks host the Wiscons
Oregon quarterback Brock Thomas, left, hands off the ball to running back Jordon Davison as the Oregon Ducks host the Wisconsin Badgers on Oct. 25, 2025, at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Oregon. | Ben Lonergan/The Register-Guard / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Oregon's History vs Iowa

Oregon and Iowa have played against each other three times. Their last meeting occurred in 1994 at Autzen Stadium, where the Ducks won 40-18. Oregon last played the Hawkeyes in Kinnick Stadium in 1989, where the Ducks won 44-6. The Ducks lead the series 2-1. Their first matchup happened in 1949 in Iowa City.

Published | Modified
Ally Osborne
ALLY OSBORNE

A reporter for Oregon Ducks on SI, Ally Osborne is a born and raised Oregonian. She graduated from the University of Oregon's School of Journalism and Communications in 2021 after interning for the Oregon Sports Network with experience working on live sporting broadcasts for ESPN, FOX Sports, the PAC 12 Network, and Runnerspace. Osborne continued her career in Bend, Oregon as a broadcast reporter in 2021 for Central Oregon Daily News while writing for Oregon Ducks on SI. Since then, Osborne is entering her third season reporting for the publication and is frequently the on-site reporter for home games at Autzen Stadium in Eugene. She is currently the host of lifestyle shows "Everyday Northwest" and "Tower Talk Live" for KOIN 6 News in Portland, Oregon. Osborne also works as a sports reporter for KOIN 6's "Game On" sports department. In her free time, Osborne is an avid graphic designer, making art commissions for athletes across her home state. Osborne's designs have even become tattoos for a few Duck athletes.

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