Ducks Digest

Oregon Ducks Dan Lanning Has 'Sour Taste' After Beating Northwestern 34-14

Opening up their first conference game of the season on the road, coach Dan Lanning, quarterback Dante Moore, and the Oregon Ducks faced their first taste of adversity in a close win against the Northwestern Wildcats.
Ally Osborne|
Sep 13, 2025; Evanston, Illinois, USA; Oregon Ducks head coach Dan Lanning leads his team on the field against the Northwestern Wildcats at Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images
Sep 13, 2025; Evanston, Illinois, USA; Oregon Ducks head coach Dan Lanning leads his team on the field against the Northwestern Wildcats at Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images | David Banks-Imagn Images

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Oregon DucksNorthwestern Wildcats

Oregon Ducks coach Dan Lanning finally got to see his team face adversity as the No. 4 nationally ranked Ducks took down the Northwestern Wildcats on the road for a surprisingly close 34-14 win. Though the Ducks led 31-0 till the third quarter, the Wildcats defense held the Ducks offense under 400 total yards of offense while their two-headed rushing attack kept time of possession in the Wildcats' favor.

"I've got a little sour taste in my mouth with the way we ended. We gotta be able to win the fourth quarter, but ultimately, I thought I saw some good play. There's gonna be some stuff we can build off of," Lanning said on the FOX Sports broadcast after the Ducks clinched the win.

Oregon's rushing game ebbed and flowed throughout the game with starter Noah Whittington on the sidelines due to a "questionable" injury listing before the game. Jayden Limar stepped in first at running back, but didn't have the best day going 38 yards and one touchdown for 11 touches. True freshman running back Dierre Hill Jr. shined, leading the Ducks in rushing yards with 94 yards and one touchdown off five attempts.

Aug 30, 2025; Eugene, Oregon, USA; Oregon Ducks running back Dierre Hill Jr. (23) runs with the ball during the second half a
Sep 13, 2025; Evanston, Illinois, USA; Oregon Ducks running back Jayden Limar (27) runs against the Northwestern Wildcats during the first half at Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images | David Banks-Imagn Images

In the passing game, Dante Moore had an almost impressive report card, going 16-20 with 178 yards and one touchdown throwing. However, the Heisman Trophy hopeful was picked off for the first time this season in the second half. Wide receivers Malik Benson, Dakorien Moore, and tight end Kenyon Sadiq held it down for the majority of targets.

Defensively, Oregon had a slow game compared to the past two contests with sprinkled highlights. Defensive back Aaron Flowers led the team with seven total tackles. Teitum Tuioti and Bear Alexander teamed up on a sack that changed the tides for Oregon's momentum and led to a scoring drive. Bryce Boettcher also returned an interception for a double digit run.

The Oregon Ducks’ equipment staff loads the truck before setting out for Northwestern on Sept. 9, 2025.
The Oregon Ducks’ equipment staff loads the truck before setting out for Northwestern on Sept. 9, 2025. | Ben Lonergan/The Register-Guard / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Check below for a rundown of the game. The newest updates lie at the top.

FINAL: OREGON 34, NORTHWESTERN 14

OREGON 34, NORTHWESTERN 14

Q4 02:00 NORTHWESTERN SCORES: Dashun Reeder, a true freshman, runs in a 79-yard touchdown for the Wildcats. Extra point is good.

Q4 02:00: Two minute time out.

Q4 03:06: After Brock Thomas plays a drive with two passes batted down at the point of scrimmage, the Ducks punt back to Northwestern.

Q4 05:51: Brock Thomas in at quarterback for the Ducks.

OREGON 34, NORTHWESTERN 7

Q4 06:24 NORTHWESTERN SCORES: Caleb Komolafe rushes for a one yard touchdown on a fourth and one situation for the Wildcats. Kick is good.

Q4 08:44: Preston Stone throws a "Hail Mary" deep for Drew Wagner who catches for 40-yards and a first down at Oregon's 10 yard line.

OREGON 34, NORTHWESTERN 0

Q4 11:32 OREGON SCORES: Atticus Sappington kicks a 25 yard field goal after a 4 play five yard drive. Luke Moga and the secondary team is currently in place for offense.

Q4 15:00: Mac Uihlein intercepts Dante Moore with a botched pass to Dakorien Moore. This is Dante Moore's first interception of the season.

FOURTH QUARTER

Q3 02:08: Jadon Canady gets a pass break-up to force the Wildcats to punt.

OREGON 31, NORTHWESTERN 0

Q3 03:00 OREGON SCORES: True freshman Jordon Davison picks up his fifth touchdown of the season so far with a two yard rush. Atticus Sappington kick is good.

Q3 04:39: Jeremiah McClellan puts in the extra effort to reach for the endzone off a 9 yard short pass from Dante Moore, but the touchdown is not called. Oregon first down.

Q3 05:31: Jerry Mixon picks off Preston Stone, his second straight week with a pick. Mixon returns for 36 yards. Ducks' ball.

OREGON 24, NORTHWESTERN 0

Q3 07:44 OREGON SCORES: Dierre Hill Jr. rushes for 66-yards to punch in a touchdown. Kick is good.

Q3 08:47: Teitum Tuioti & Bear Alexander get a much needed sack against Preston Stone for a loss of eight yards. Stone throws an incompletion right after the play to turnover on downs to the Ducks.

Q3 13:01: Brandon Finney gets a pass break-up against Northwestern.

THIRD QUARTER

HALFTIME

OREGON 17, NORTHWESTERN 0

Q2 00:36 OREGON SCORES: Dante Moore passes 24-yards to Kenyon Sadiq for an Oregon touchdown. Kick is good from Atticus Sappington.

Q2 00:42: Dante Moore is tackled with his helmet knocked off. Ducks call timeout to keep Moore in the game.

Q2 01:36: After a Dante Moore 20-yard pass to Malik Benson, Northwestern calls their second time out of the half.

Q2 03:35: Dante Moore passes deep right to Dakorien Moore for 20-yards and a first down.

Q2 04:51: Official timeout.

Q2 05:41: Matayo Uiagalelei sacks Preston Stone for a loss of 4 yards and forcing a punt back to Oregon. Ducks' ball.

OREGON 10, NORTHWESTERN 0

Q2 09:32 OREGON SCORES: Atticus Sappington makes a 42-yard field goal. This drive was 12 plays, 42 yards.

SECOND QUARTER

Q1 00:32: Official timeout.

Q1 00:38: Northwestern punts back to Oregon for 59 yards.

Q1 02:11: Timeout.

Q1 02:18: Atticus Sappington kick returns for 59-yards and Northwestern's Joseph Himon II returns for a 39-yard solid run.

OREGON 7, NORTHWESTERN 0

Q1 02:21 OREGON SCORES: Jayden Limar punches in a 1-yard rushing touchdown. This drive for the Ducks was 5 plays for 23 yards. Kick is good from Atticus Sappington.

Q1 05:09: Bryce Boettcher picks off Northwestern's Preston for a 29 yard run to the Northwestern 23-yard line. Oregon's ball.

Q1 06:46: Northwestern's Lawson Albright gets a 3 yard "tush push" looking run to pick up a first down on a fourth down and one opportunity.

Q1 NOTE: The weather has cleared at Martin Field and the sun is out.

Q1 11:32: Ducks make their second ever punt of the season. That drive picked up only 26 yards with 7 plays. Wildcats' ball.

Q1 14:40: Makhi Hughes in for Noah Whittington to kick return.

FIRST QUARTER

Northwestern wins the coin toss and differs.

PREGAME

The Ducks entered this game on a home game hot streak, with a 69-3 domination of the Oklahoma State Cowboys the week prior and a 59-13 takedown of the Montana State Bobcats to open up the season; both at Autzen Stadium.

Oregon, favored by 26.5 points against the Wildcats per DraftKings, is expected to continue using fresh faces and a barrage of talent just like their previous games in the season. Against the Cowboys last week, nine different Ducks scored touchdowns with Oregon (631 total yards) eclipsing the Cowboy's (211 total yards) production on the field offensively.

OREGON DUCKS INJURY REPORT

OUT:

Evan Stewart, wide receiver
Trey McNutt, defensive back
Dorian Brew, defensive back
Dylan Williams, linebacker
Brayden Platt, linebacker
Bryce Boulton, offensive lineman
Dillon Greshman, wide receiver
Jack Ressler, wide receiver

QUESTIONABLE

Sione Laulea, defensive back
Theran Johnson, defensive back
Noah Whittington, running back
Austin Novosad, quarterback
Kawika Rogers, offensive lineman

Jan 1, 2024; Glendale, AZ, USA; Oregon Ducks quarterback Austin Novosad (16) against the Liberty Flames during the 2024 Fiest
Jan 1, 2024; Glendale, AZ, USA; Oregon Ducks quarterback Austin Novosad (16) against the Liberty Flames during the 2024 Fiesta Bowl at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

DUCK TEAM CAPTAINS

Wide receiver Gary Bryant Jr., cornerback Theran Johnson (Northwestern transfer), interior offensive lineman Emmanuel Pregnon, and defensive lineman A'Mauri Washington are the Oregon captains for this game.

Northwestern Loses Top Running Back

Northwestern Wildcats running back Cam Porter exited the week 2 matchup against the Western Illinois Leathernecks with a lower-body injury.

On the Monday before the Ducks play the Wildcats, Northwestern coach David Braun announced Porter will miss the remainder of the 2025 season. Porter entered the season as his third being team captain. In 2023, he led the team with 651 rushing yards and also led with 501 rushing yards last season.

Kenny Farr, Oregon’s football equipment administrator, checks cases as the Oregon Ducks’ equipment staff loads the truck befo
Kenny Farr, Oregon’s football equipment administrator, checks cases as the Oregon Ducks’ equipment staff loads the truck before setting out for Northwestern on Sept. 9, 2025. | Ben Lonergan/The Register-Guard / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Preparing for a 9 a.m. PT Kickoff

The Ducks face their potentially earliest kickoff of the season with a 9 a.m. PT kick time. Though the Wildcats have the advantage as the home team, the Ducks prepared throughout the week to acclimate to the time difference before flying to Evanston, Illinois.

"They've been telling us it's going to be 9 a.m. our time," said freshman defensive back Ify Obidegwu during a Tuesday media availability. "We got to get the rest. Go to sleep early now, waking up early. Today we woke up, the whole DB corps woke up at 5 a.m. We got here at 5 a.m. so we all woke up around 4 a.m. That's the time we going to be waking up anyway when that day comes so we're mentally preparing ourselves throughout the week."

"As far as the mentality you're coming with you want to think start fast so you can build now. That's how I'm thinking about preparing for such an early game like that. So when I come out on Saturday at 9 a.m. I'm punching somebody in the mouth right from the jump," USC transfer offensive lineman Emmanuel Pregnon added.

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Bypassers look at and take photos with an inflatable University of Oregon Duck mascot on the White River in front of the NCAA
Bypassers look at and take photos with an inflatable University of Oregon Duck mascot on the White River in front of the NCAA Headquarters on Tuesday, July 23, 2024, in downtown Indianapolis. The float weighs in at 1,600 pounds and takes 1.5 hours to inflate. | Brett Phelps/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK

Will the Inflatable Duck Make An Appearance?

Duck fans online whipped up a frenzy as they requested the 65-foot-tall Oregon Duck inflatable that debuted at 2024's Big Ten media days on the Indianapolis White River make an appearance on Lake Michigan, which borders Northwestern's temporary venue, Martin Stadium.

According to Oregon coach Dan Lanning, the inflatable duck rumors are being blown out of proportion.

“I have no clue. It would be cool to see it out there. Doubtful," Lanning said during a Wednesday media availability.

“I have thought about that,” Northwestern head coach David Braun said. “We’re going to have to figure something out. We can’t have any ducks floating around on game day.”

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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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