2 weeks Ago By Ryan Clarke
EUGENE — For the second time in program history, Oregon football is 12-0. The No. 1 Ducks finished the regular season undefeated with a ferocious, 49-21 win over the Washington Huskies on Saturday night at Autzen Stadium.
Oregon tied a program record and the top FBS mark this season with 10 sacks on the night, its defense once again setting the tone in Dan Lanning’s first win over Washington. After a wire-to-wire performance against its rivals, Oregon marches on to Indianapolis for the Big Ten championship game next Saturday against No. 4 Penn State.
On a chilly night in Eugene, the Ducks started with a steady diet of running back Jordan James against the Huskies (6-6, 4-5), scoring an opening drive touchdown on a nine-yard run by Noah Whittington to make it 7-0. Washington freshman quarterback Demond Williams came out fearless on the Huskies’ first drive, chucking the ball downfield to Jeremiah Hunter for a 34-yard gain on the opening play. That drive led to a 26-yard field goal by Grady Gross to make it 7-3.
As Oregon’s next drive stalled on a drop by Evan Stewart, the mobility of Williams became a problem for the Oregon defense. Bryce Boettcher was able to stall the drive with a sack, though, and Oregon got it back early in the second quarter. Noah Whittington attempted a hurdle on the ensuing drive that resulted in a fumble, however, recovered by the Huskies at the Oregon 23.
A sack by Matayo Uiagalelei and Teitum Tuioti forced a 41-yard field goal attempt for the Huskies, which Gross hit to bring the score to 7-6. Oregon blew the game open as the second quarter progressed. After Traeshon Holden picked up 40 yards and stretched just short of the pylon, a one-yard run by James made it 14-6 Ducks.
Just a few seconds later, Williams fumbled on the exchange with his running back, and Derrick Harmon fell on it for Oregon at the Washington 19. James laid the wood on Washington defensive back Ephesians Prysock on the ensuing drive, adding to his highlight reel of power runs this season. The Ducks scored on a one-yard run by James to go up 21-6.
A would-be two-point conversion thrown to Patrick Herbert by Kenyon Sadiq was called back, forcing an extra point instead. Oregon’s defense forced a three-and-out, and Dillon Gabriel soon punched in a four-yard run to make it 28-6 Ducks with 5:01 left in the second quarter. Washington mounted a response late in the second as Williams led the Huskies downfield, finishing it off with a one-yard touchdown run from running back Jonah Coleman.
After a two-point conversion, Oregon led 28-14 heading into the half. A late, 56-yard field goal attempt by Andrew Boyle was no good as time expired in the second quarter. The Duck defense came out in the second half with its collective hair on fire, getting after Williams in the backfield.
Jordan Burch — back from injury — picked up two sacks to punish the young signal-caller and send the Huskies to the sideline with their tails between their legs. Tez Johnson — also back from injury for Oregon — picked up his first catch on the next drive, and his second went for a score. The Ducks’ senior wideout reached the end zone on a nine-yard crossing route to extend Oregon’s lead to 35-14 late in the third.
A 10-play, 80-yard drive for the Ducks chopped off nearly six minutes. Oregon’s relentless effort on the defensive side continued on the next Washington drive. Harmon picked up a sack, and Burch later shared one with freshman Jaeden Moore, much to the delight of the Ducks sideline.
Washington had no answer for Oregon’s pass-rushers. Gabriel kept the engine running for the Duck offense, eventually finding Terrance Ferguson for a 16-yard touchdown to extend the lead to 42-14 early in the fourth. Oregon’s defensive reserves held serve, making way for Dante Moore to come in at quarterback for the Ducks.
Not content to just work the clock down, Oregon drove aggressively with Moore at the helm, scoring on a one-yard run by Da’Juan Riggs to make it 49-14 with five minutes to go. Washington picked up a garbage time touchdown on a pretty, 28-yard pass from Williams to a wide open Giles Jackson to bring the game to its final margin, 49-21. The 2024 Ducks join the 2010 squad as the only Oregon teams to complete a 12-0 regular season.
The 2010 team lost in the BCS National Championship to Auburn. Top performance: Matayo Uiagalelei (6 tackles, 3 solo, 2 sacks) Key contributors: Dillon Gabriel (16-23, 209 yards, 2 TD); Jordan James (15 rush, 99 yards, 2 TD); Terrance Ferguson (4 receptions, 48 yards, TD); Bryce Boettcher (11 tackles, 4 solo, sack); Jordan Burch (3 tackles, 2 solo, 2 sack); Derrick Harmon (3 tackles, 1 solo, sack, fumble recovery). Key play: Jordan Burch picks up his second sack in the same drive to shut down Washington’s offense in the third quarter.
It was over when: Oregon’s vaunted defense walked out of the tunnel for the second half. Big Ten championship game: No. 1 Oregon (12-0, 9-0 Big Ten) vs.
No. 4 Penn State (11-1, 8-1) When: Saturday, Dec. 7 Time: 5:00 p.
m. PT Where: Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis TV channel: CBS Stream: Watch this game live for FREE with Fubo (free trial) or with DirecTV Stream (free trial). If you already have a cable provider, use your login information to watch this game on cbssports.
com . Oregon Ducks football 2024 season schedule, scores Sign up for The Ducks Beat newsletter -- Ryan Clarke covers the Oregon Ducks and Big Ten Conference. Listen to the Ducks Confidential podcast or subscribe to the Ducks Roundup newsletter .
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