Ducks Digest

Three Main Takeaways From Oregon Ducks' Domination Of Oklahoma State

The Oregon Ducks have control of their destiny after the first two statement wins over the Big Sky Conference's Montana State Bobcats and the Big 12 Conference's Oklahoma State Cowboys. There are not many glaring faults for coach Dan Lanning's group heading into their first Big Ten Conference matchup against the Northwestern Wildcats next weekend.
Arden Cravalho|
Oregon quarterback Dante Moore speaks to a television reporter as the Oregon Ducks host the Montana State Bobcats on Aug. 30, 2025, at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Oregon.
Oregon quarterback Dante Moore speaks to a television reporter as the Oregon Ducks host the Montana State Bobcats on Aug. 30, 2025, at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Oregon. | Ben Lonergan/The Register-Guard / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

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Oregon DucksOklahoma State CowboysNorthwestern WildcatsPenn State Nittany LionsIndiana Hoosiers

It seems fair to say that Oklahoma State Cowboys coach Mike Gundy, along with his redshirt freshman quarterback Zane Flores in his first college football career start, were not prepared for what the Autzen Stadium atmosphere can truly be like.

A 13-0 start for the Oregon Ducks two minutes into the game started off the thrashing. The 69-3 final score tells the simple story.

That was the largest margin of defeat for the Cowboys' program since 1907, the same year that Oklahoma became an official state (courtesy of 247 Sports' Chris Dukes).

Oregon wide receiver Dakorien Moore celebrates the Ducks’ win as the Oregon Ducks host the Oklahoma State Cowboys
Oregon wide receiver Dakorien Moore celebrates the Ducks’ win as the Oregon Ducks host the Oklahoma State Cowboys on Sept. 6, 2025, at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Oregon. | Ben Lonergan/The Register-Guard / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Complete turnaround to start the 2025 season

Remember how close the Idaho Vandals and Boise State Broncos' matchups were in 2024? Night and day when comparing the two starts against the Montana State Bobcats and Oklahoma State Cowboys in 2025. A 128-16 point differential for coach Dan Lanning's group shows they mean business out of the gate.

Wide receiver Dakorien Moore has stolen the show early on. He became the first Oregon true freshman to get his first receiving and rushing touchdown in the same game since the great running back De'Anthony Thomas on Sept. 17, 2011, against the Missouri State Bears.

Moore's full capability can be relied both on the ground and air, finishing with 94 total yards on just two receptions and a decisive hand-off leading to the pylons untouched.

Oregon's running back room is deep

Oregon running back Noah Whittington warms up as the Oregon Ducks host the Oklahoma State Cowboys
Oregon running back Noah Whittington warms up as the Oregon Ducks host the Oklahoma State Cowboys on Sept. 6, 2025, at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Oregon. | Ben Lonergan/The Register-Guard / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

The young talent out of the 2026 class continues to make a splash. True freshman duo Dierre Hill Jr. and Jordon Davison have combined for 99 rushing yards on 15 carries and five touchdowns through the first two games for the Ducks.

Running backs coach Ra'Shaad Samples is putting his positional group in a spot for the most overall potential down the road. It's a blessing of how many options are available, but it all starts with senior Noah Whittington setting the tone for the younger guys. He had himself quite an early impact, finishing with a team-high 91 yards on four carries and the first score that had Autzen Stadium rocking.

Still, question marks continue to circle around about how much Tulane Green Wave transfer Makhi Hughes will make an impact this season. He was the most highly-touted offensive recruit out of the transfer portal, but came into today as the No. 5 back on the depth chart. Hughes finished with 30 rushing yards on nine touches.

Lanning might just be waiting for the opportune time to awaken a sleeping giant. Hughes has shown that he's more than capable of breaking out like he did unexpectedly during his time in the AAC in New Orleans.

MORE: Oregon Ducks’ Dan Lanning Gets Final Word in Mike Gundy Back and Forth

MORE: Oklahoma State's Mike Gundy Addresses Loss Against Oregon Ducks After NIL Remark

MORE: Multiple Oregon Ducks Score First Career Touchdowns In Blowout Victory Over Oklahoma State

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MORE: Oregon Ducks Blast Mike Gundy’s Comments Inside Autzen Stadium As Fans React

Dante Moore continues to show glimpses of leadership, as advertised

In the second blowout victory already for the Ducks, redshirt sophomore quarterback Dante Moore got more opportunities against the Cowboys to show off more of his arm strength and dart-like accuracy. It's much too early, but the Heisman Trophy candidate looks all the part through the first two weeks. No interceptions, six touchdowns, and an 81.6 quarterback rating.

These dominating experiences in the non-conference go a long way before the important Big Ten Conference opponents show up on the nearby schedule: the Penn State Nittany Lions at Beaver Stadium on Sept. 27 and the Indiana Hoosiers at Autzen Stadium on Oct. 11.

Of course, can't forget about those Oregon State Beavers on Sept. 20 before all that.

Oregon Ducks quarterback Dante Moore (5) throws a pass during the first half
Aug 30, 2025; Eugene, Oregon, USA; Oregon Ducks quarterback Dante Moore (5) throws a pass during the first half against the Montana State Bobcats at Autzen Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images | Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images

Moore's decision to transfer in from the UCLA Bruins in 2023 and learn the system for a year under the now Cleveland Browns' Dillon Gabriel proved how invaluable that was today. He looked crisp, in control like a well-seasoned veteran. More quarterbacks around the country should take note when thinking about leaving for their second, even third, definitely fourth college football program.

An intriguing part of Moore's connection in the wide receiver room comes from the upperclassmen, Gary Bryant Jr. and Malik Benson. Those two names have been around and know what it takes after being a part of some of the best-named programs around the nation, like the USC Trojans with Bryant, the Alabama Crimson Tide, plus the Florida State Seminoles with Benson.

Alex Harkey celebrates at the end of the Oregon Spring game at Autzen in Eugene
Alex Harkey celebrates at the end of the Oregon Spring game at Autzen in Eugene April 26, 2025 | Chris Pietsch/The Register-Guard / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Despite the Ducks' statement victory for the Big Ten Conference's dominance over the Big 12 Conference, questions still arise. Will Texas State Bobcats transfer Alex Harkey be 100 percent on the offensive line for next week against the Northwestern Wildcats? His impact under offensive line coach A'lique Terry, along with USC Trojans transfer Emmanuel Pregnon and Nevada Wolfpack Isaiah World, is vitally important for the fruitful success of the offense.

Oregon moves away from the West Coast for the first time this season against the Northwestern Wildcats at the temporary on-campus field along the shore of Lake Michigan, Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium. It's scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 13, at 9 a.m. PT on FOX.

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Arden Cravalho
ARDEN CRAVALHO

Arden Cravalho is a reporter for Oregon Ducks on SI. He has been writing extensively about college athletics beginning in 2018, specifically as the lead writer and editor for SB Nation's 'The Slipper Still Fits.' Arden is a graduate of Gonzaga University and brings a deep understanding of college sports to his writing. Residing in San Francisco, California, Arden is also a part of the California Golden Bears' athletic department as a Ticket Sales and Service Account Executive. His overall experience and dedication to college athletics are evident in his insightfulness and analysis throughout all of his work.

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