Bryson Blue
Author
The No. 6 Oregon Ducks (4-0) blew out the Oregon State Beavers (0-4) 41-7 in their final rivalry game until 2027. Once the Ducks took flight, there was no catching them for the Beavers. Now, until at least 2027, the Beavers will have to live with knowing their rivals got the best of them.
After a shaky game last week against the Northwestern Wildcats, Oregon came home and took care of business. The Ducks slid two spots in the AP Top 25 rankings, and will hope to recover some ground after the win.The Beavers are still winless on the year, and will hope to turn the season around fast.
The Ducks started the game slowly, by their standards. Ducks’ quarterback Dante Moore threw a 22-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Dakorien Moore, who strong-armed his way across the plane. At the end of the first quarter, the Beavers finally responded with a solid drive ending in a rushing touchdown from running back Anthony Hankerson. The score was tied 7-7 after one quarter of action.
In the second quarter, the Ducks’ offense started to speed things up. Moore looked comfortable, throwing his second touchdown of the half to monster tight end Kenyon Sadiq. The defense did its part, keeping the Beavers in check, not allowing them to score again. Moore ran the 2-minute offense with ease to end the half, resulting in a rushing touchdown from RB Jordan Davison, his sixth of the season. Going into halftime, the Ducks lead their rivals 21-7.
The Ducks dominated the Beavers in the third quarter, as the defense shut everything down behind star linebacker Bryce Boettcher. Oregon pulled out some trickery as well. Just when it looked like the Beavers were forcing the Ducks to punt on a fourth-and-4 situation, punter James Ferguson-Reynolds faked it and took it 21 yards to secure the first. Moore paid off the drive with a 13-yard strike to WR Jeremiah McClellan for a touchdown. The Ducks completely shut down the Beavers in the third, and Atticus Sappington nailed a 24-yard field goal to put the Ducks up 31-7.
Oregon had no plans of letting up on its rivals to start the fourth quarter. RB Makhi Hughes ripped a 19-yard rush, and Moore followed it up with his fourth touchdown pass in a bomb to WR Gary Bryant Jr. Up 38-7, Oregon’s secondary was not letting anyone get open, forcing another Oregon State punt. For the rest of the game, Oregon was on cruise control. The defense even came up with a fumble recovery at the hands of Bear Alexander. Sappington added another field goal, as the Ducks won 41-7.
The point in the game where the tides changed for the Ducks is when Ferguson-Reynolds faked the punt and set Oregon up to score. After that drive, Moore took over the game, and the Beavers didn’t stand a chance. The Ducks scored 34 unanswered points after the first quarter and won the game.
The standout players for the Ducks were their QB Moore and LB Boettcher. Moore had his best statistical game yet, throwing for 305 yards, 4 TDs and completing 67 percent of his passes. Looking calm and collected, Moore did everything he was supposed to. Boettcher led the defense in tackles with 10, played super aggressively, and didn’t let the Beavers have their way.
For the Beavers, their RB Hankerson and LB Takari Hickle were the bright spots. Hankerson ran for 38 yards on 14 carries, scoring the Beavers first and only touchdown of the game. On defense, Hickle lead Oregon State in tackles with 11.
The Ducks start their season 4-0, but will face their biggest test next on Saturday, September 27, against the Penn State Nittany Lions. Depending on how the top 5 in the rankings shake out this week, the Ducks could move up a spot. But there is no doubt, no matter what they rank, they must be ready to play in Happy Valley.
Oregon State falls to 0-4, and things are looking grim. They will face the Houston Cougars on Friday, September 26. If they can find a way to win, that might just be what the Beavers need to course correct this ship they are sailing in 2025.
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