Oregon Ducks Beat Minnesota at Home on Friday Night

The No. 9 Oregon Ducks and coach Dan Lanning won their second-to-last home game of the season against the Minnesota Golden Gophers for a 42-13 Friday-night victory. This is the first and only Friday game this season Autzen Stadium will host during the regular season, and the first time the Ducks have ever played the Gophers at home.

Starting quarterback Dante Moore set a program record for single game passing accuracy with a 90 percent (27-30) for 306 yards and two touchdowns. With wide receivers Dakorien Moore and Gary Bryant Jr. out due to injury, tight end Kenyon Sadiq let the charge for receptions. Sadiq finished with 96 yards and one touchdown off eight catches, including one short middle connection from Moore that was caught by Sadiq with one hand while on his knee.

Nov 8, 2025; Iowa City, Iowa, USA; Oregon Ducks kicker Atticus Sappington (36) reacts with holder James Ferguson-Reynolds (46) after kicking a field goal during the second quarter against the Iowa Hawkeyes at Kinnick Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images | Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images

On the rushing game, running back Noah Whittington led the charge with 72 yards and one touchdown off eight carries. Running back Jordon Davison also continued his scoring trend, getting two touchdowns and 57 yards off seven touches. Davison has one or more touchdowns in all but two of Oregon's games so far this season.

Defensively, the Ducks were hot against the rush, and equally effective against the pass, though sometimes it felt like there was a stall in momentum. Five Ducks got pass breakups while three recorded quarterback hurries. Defensive back Brandon Finney Jr. and linebacker Teitum Tuioti both recorded sacks against Minnesota quarterback Drake Lindsey. Bear Alexander also recorded an impressive tackle for loss in the first half.

FOURTH QUARTER

FINAL: Oregon beats Minnesota 42-13.

Q4 00:00: Minnesota runs out the clock after a five-yard rush from Cam Davis.

Q4 00:21: Oregon punted the ball back to the Golden Gophers. Minnesota regains possession at the 25-yard line after a touchback.

Q4 00:29: Under 30 seconds remaining as Oregon faces a fourth down with three yards to go. Ducks lead 42-13.

Q4 02:00: Two-minute warning after Ducks running back Jay Harris rushed for a one-yard loss.

Q4 03:01: Minnesota punted the ball back to Oregon after Kingston Lopa recorded a tackle for loss on third down.

Q4 05:14: First down Iowa after a short rush by Cam Davis.

Q4 06:35: Oregon punted on fourth down with three yards to go. Minnesota will take over at their own 10-yard line.

Q4 09:26: Brock Thomas is in for the Ducks at QB. Dante Moore's night is done.

OREGON 42, MINNESOTA 13

Q4 11:10 OREGON SCORES: Jay Harris rushes in a 12 yarder for an Oregon touchdown. Kick is good.

Q4 11:39: Dante Moore runs for a 3 yard QB keeper, gets up with a limp in the right leg but stays in the game.

THIRD QUARTER

Q3 00:16: Teitum Tuioti sacks Lindsey for a loss of 9 yards.

Q3 00:32: Minnesota's Drake Lindsey is called for intentional grounding, and Brandon Finney gets a QB hurry. Second down and 22 yards to go for the Gophers.

OREGON 35, MINNESOTA 13

Q3 02:53 OREGON SCORES: Dante Moore takes a short right pass to Jeremiah McClellan for a 13-yard touchdown. The Minnesota defender covering McClellan, who thought the Duck receiver was out of bounds, started celebrating, but McClellan comes up acting victorious. After further review, the receiver was ruled in bounds with his left toe in the endzone. Kick is good. Drive was 75 yards off 10 plays.

Q3 03:30: Oregon takes their first timeout of the half.

Amazing 1 handed catch from Kenyon Sadiq on 3rd down pic.twitter.com/2iwYLh5PLF
— LandonTengwall (@LandonTengwall) November 15, 2025

Q3 04:13: Dante Moore throws a short middle pass to Kenyon Sadiq, who catches the ball on one knee with one hand.

Q3 05:54: Malik Benson catches a pass from Dante Moore through a hard tackle, official timeout for an injured defensive player (one of the players involved in the tackle).

OREGON 28, MINNESOTA 13

Q3 08:21 MINNESOTA SCORES: Lindsey passes to Javon Tracy for a 10 yard touchdown. Kick is good.

Q3 10:24: Darius Taylor picks up a 23 yard gain and first down to the Oregon 23 yard line.

Q3 10:29: Minnesota calls a timeout, their first of the half. Gophers are using a lot of running back Darius Taylor against the Ducks.

Q3 13:29: Matayo Uiagalelei gets a tackle for a loss of two yards, bringing up third down for Minnesota.

HALFTIME

SECOND QUARTER

Q2 00 :13: Teitum Tuioti bats down a pass from Lindsey to make it fourth down and 10 yards for the Gophers. Minnesota punts.

Kenyon was gonna get that touchdown 😤

Sixth of the year for @KenyonSadiq makes it 28-6 just before halftime!#GoDucks pic.twitter.com/HbwCYJA0Fd
— Oregon Football (@oregonfootball) November 15, 2025

OREGON 28, MINNESOTA 6

Q2 00:37 OREGON SCORES: Dante Moore passes short right to Kenyon Sadiq for a three yard Oregon touchdown. Kick is good.

Q2 00:42: Minnesota calls a timeout. Their second of the half.

Q2 00:31: Dante Moore throws a short middle pass to Kenyon Sadiq, who runs the ball into the endzone. He is called down at the three yard line. After an official review, the ruling stands. Oregon is first down and three yards to the endzone. Clock is called back.

Q2 02:00: Two minute timeout.

OREGON 21, MINNESOTA 6

Q2 02:25 MINNESOTA SCORES: After an incomplete pass from Lindsey, Brady Denaburg punches in a 26 yard field goal. Minnesota's 7:06 drive had 13 plays for 67 yards.

Q2 03:15: Minnesota makes it to the redzone, as Jameson Geers gets a one yard gain and a tackle from Teitum Tuioti and Aaron Flowers.

Q2 06:55: Brandon Finney called for Pass Interference, giving Minnesota an automatic first down. This is Oregon's fourth penalty for 35 yards so far.

Q2 07:45: Deep pass by Lindsey broken up by Dillon Thieneman, who is called for Pass Interference. Minnesota gets 15 yards and a first down.

"YOU CAN'T CAGE HIM" ‼️

How did Noah Whittington stay on his feet during this @oregonfootball 40-yard touchdown run 😱 pic.twitter.com/65zKdwNyCh
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) November 15, 2025

OREGON 21, MINNESOTA 3

Q2 09:31 OREGON SCORES: Noah Whittington breaks through multiple defenders (5+) to run in an Oregon touchdown. There was a bit of "hot potato" with Whittington's grip in the endzone, but Whittington had two steps where the ball was back in control before dropping it once again, so the call is upheld. Extra kick is good.

OREGON 14, MINNESOTA 3

Q2 11:39 MINNESOTA SCORES: Brady Denaburg kicks a 46 yard field goal. Minnesota's drive is 7 plays for 14 yards.

Q2 12:04: Lindsey passes deep middle to Jameson Geers for a 25 yard first down. Tackled by Dillon Thieneman. After review, the pass is deemed incomplete. Minnesota is fourth down and 10. Gophers will attempt a field goal.

Q2 12:47: Fame Ijeboi rushes for a one yard loss, tackled by Bear Alexander.

Q2 14:57: Dante Moore passes to Cooper Perry short right, who fumbles and Minnesota's Karter Menz recovers. Gophers' ball.

FIRST QUARTER

Q1 00:28: Isaiah World called for Illegal formation as he is across the line of scrimmage. Second down and 25 yards for the Ducks.

Q1 01:06: Dante Moore sacked for a loss of 10 yards by Anthony Smith. Second down and 20 for the Ducks.

Q1 03:55: Dante Moore on a no-huddle passes short left to Jordon Davison for a first down and 14 yard gain.

Q1 04:15: Dante Moore lobs a shovel pass to Dierre Hill Jr. for a second down and 5 yard remaining. Gain of 5 yards.

Q1 05:32: Nasir Wyatt gets a QB hurry on Lindsey. Gophers punt on fourth down.

Q1 07:23: Jerry Mixon called offsides for a 5 yard penalty taking Minnesota to their own 30 yard line. First down.

TOUCHDOWN!

Another one for @Jord0n2 as he goes 39 yards for his second score of the game! 14-0 Ducks.#GoDucks pic.twitter.com/82mbNWzHvb
— Oregon Football (@oregonfootball) November 15, 2025

OREGON 14, MINNESOTA 0

Q1 07:23 OREGON SCORES: Jordon Davison runs for a 39 yard Oregon touchdown. Ducks' drive went for exactly 2:00, with 4 plays for 66 yards.

Q1 07:53: Dante Moore does a quarterback keeper to the left side of the field for an Oregon first down and 12 yard gain.

Q1 10:00: Minnesota's Drake Lindsey slips in the backfield for a loss of 6 yards and a fourth down. Gophers punt.

TOUCHDOWN!

11th of the year for @Jord0n2 gives Oregon an early 7-0 lead. #GoDucks pic.twitter.com/x0XvcVLwhL
— Oregon Football (@oregonfootball) November 15, 2025

OREGON 7, MINNESOTA 0

Q1 10:48 OREGON SCORES: Jordon Davison punches in a one yard touchdown. This 4:12 drive for Oregon consisted of 9 plays for 75 yards.

Q1 11:56: Oregon calls their first timeout of the night.

Q1 12:38: On second down, Dante Moore passes a 38 yard first down to Malik Benson to the Minnesota 24 yard line.

Oregon won the coin toss and chose to receive the ball to start the game.

PREGAME

Oregon offensive tackle Alex Harkey appears to be starting again for the Ducks, according to his involvement in pregame warmups. Harkey was listed as questionable on Oregon's official availability report. The Ducks might also get tight end Kenyon Sadiq back from injury against Minnesota, according to GoDucks.com editor Rob Moseley:

Kenyon Sadiq is moving well in warmups. Looks like the UO offense could get a key weapon back tonight. #GoDucks
— Rob Moseley (@DuckFootball) November 15, 2025

Oregon Ducks Injury Report

Questionable

Kenyon Sadiq, tight end
Devon Jackson, linebacker
Tionne Gray, defensive lineman
Alex Harkey, offensive lineman

Out

Dakorien Moore, wide receiver
Gary Bryant Jr., wide receiver
Sione Laulea, defensive back
Evan Stewart, wide receiver
Trey McNutt, defensive back
Da'Juan Riggs, running back
Jayden Limar, running back
Gernorris Wilson, offensive lineman
Dillon Gresham, wide receiver
Jack Ressler, wide receiver

Minnesota Gold Gophers Injury Report

Questionable

Rushawn Lawrence, defensive lineman

Out

Kenric Lanier II, wide receiver
Garrison Monroe, defensive back
Simon Seidl, defensive back
Aluma Nkele, offensive lineman
Theorin Randle, defensive lineman

Iowa defensive coordinator Phil Parker and assistant head coach Seth Wallace speak to Oregon Ducks head coach Dan Lanning Nov. 8, 2025 after the Ducks defeated the Hawkeyes in a Big Ten Football game at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa. | Julia Hansen/Iowa City Press-Citizen / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Iowa Win Recap

For the 8-1 (5-1, Big Ten) overall Ducks, they enter this game after a nail-biting win against the Iowa Hawkeyes on the road. Special teams were a huge theme for Oregon against the Hawkeyes, with kicker Atticus Sappington punching in 125 yards and 9 points in field goals, including the 39 yard game winner on the final play for the Ducks.

Oregon quarterback Dante Moore, who fought the Hawkeyes through a broken nose, put up a 62 percent passing accuracy, one of the worst accuracies he's had this season, for 112 yards and one interception.

Against the Hawkeyes, starting running back Noah Whittington stepped up to run the rock, going for 118 yards off 17 carries. Running back Dierre Hill Jr. got the sole offensive touchdown of the day with a 19 yards hard fought rush.

Offensive lineman Gernorris Wilson stepped in for injured right tackle Alex Harkey, and continued to help the trenches excel for Oregon minus one false start in the first half.

Iowa Hawkeyes defensive back TJ Hall (2) shakes hands with Oregon Ducks quarterback Dante Moore (5) Nov. 8, 2025 after a Big Ten Football game at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa. | Julia Hansen/Iowa City Press-Citizen / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Dante Moore Talks About Iowa's Final Two Minute Drill

During a weekly media availability, Moore admitted he had never done a two-minute drill to finish a game before. That drive include a 24-yard first down throw to wide receiver Malik Benson that stands out as one of many highlights in the final few for Oregon.

“And during that moment, I didn't feel nervous at all, to be honest. We took the field as a whole huddle, like everybody was looking at me. I tell everybody, take a deep breath. Like, just embrace this moment. Of course, Atticus made a great kick at the end, give all the credit to him. He was on fire that day, especially with the weather, the conditions it was in. But I don't know, I kind of was thinking about Patrick Mahomes too.”

Sep 24, 2022; East Lansing, Michigan, USA; Minnesota Golden Gophers head coach PJ Fleck waves to fans at Spartan Stadium before playing MSU. Mandatory Credit: Dale Young-Imagn Images | Dale Young-Imagn Images

Minnesota's PJ Fleck Comments on Dan Lanning

Minnesota coach PJ Fleck had quite the amount of praise for Lanning in his pregame press conference before facing the Ducks.

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"I think Lanning doesn’t get enough credit for how he connects that football team, how invested they are, how good they are, how well they play collectively together. Especially on the defensive side of the ball. We know he’s a really good defensive mind. He’s a great person, he’s a great coach," said Fleck.

Ducks Break Out New Helmet Combination

For the first time in the modern era, the Oregon Ducks released a white and green striped helmet with an Oregon "O" on the side. The helmet, featuring a white marble base, is the third marble helmet Oregon has worn in program history, and the third time the Ducks wore a marble helmet this season.

The Oregon Ducks celebrate after defeating the Iowa Hawkeyes Nov. 8, 2025 during a Big Ten Football game at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa. | Julia Hansen/Iowa City Press-Citizen / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Oregon's History with Minnesota

This will be the first time Oregon faces off against Minnesota since the 2003 Sun Bowl, where Oregon lost to the Gophers 31-30 in El Paso, Texas.

The Gophers currently lead the series with the Ducks, being 3-1 for the overall record. Oregon's only win against Minnesota came in the Sun Bowl in 1999, where the Ducks clinched the "W" going 24-20.

Oregon's first game against Minnesota happened in 1961 in Minneapolis. The Gophers have never played the Ducks in Autzen Stadium until this weekend.