THURSDAY, OCT. 1, 2026
BYE WEEK EDITION
LOOKING
INWARD What are the positives and negatives behind Oregon’s 3-1 start?
SPORTS DESK REPORT CARD PG. 6 KRASNOWSKI: HEADING HOME TO COVER OREGON VS. USC PG. 8
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(ON THE COVER) Duck quaterback Dylan Raiola (8) looks to the stands. The University of Oregon Ducks took on West Coast rivals, the USC Trojans in a game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, on Sept. 26, 2026. (Katie Poluyansky/Emerald)
(LEFT) Evan Stewart on the field during the Sept. 26, 2026 game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. The University of Oregon Ducks defeated the USC Trojans 41-27. (Katie Poluyansky/Emerald)
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BIG TEN RANKINGS Five categories that each MIDDLE OF THE PACK team sits at through Week 4 Minnesota, Illinois, Nebraska, of the college football season. Wisconsin, Penn State By Colin Ernst Sports Writer
The Big Ten has produced each of the last three college football champions, so to keep tabs on potential teams that can win it all in the 2026 season, keeping an eye on the universities in this conference might be a good place to start. Although most teams have only played one conference matchup, this week’s slate of games surely shook up the outlook of the conference. Here is an early grouping of the Big Ten conference after four weeks of the season.
PLAYOFF CONTENDERS
Ohio State, Indiana, Oregon The cream of the crop, all of these programs have been championship hopefuls or winners in the last two seasons. Indiana had a shaky second half against Northwestern, but with Curt Cignetti and a dominant front seven on the defensive side of the ball, nothing seems to be slowing down the Hoosiers. Their biggest question now is how they’ll move forward after losing the Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza. Despite losing seven of their defensive starters to the draft in April, the Buckeyes defense still looks like one of the best in college football. On the other side of the ball, the perennial greatness of Jeremiah Smith allows this Ohio State team to always be dangerous. Despite a comeback loss to the University of Texas, Ohio State is still at the top of the Big Ten. A slow start to the year dropped the Ducks from their preseason No. 2 ranking. Although a win at USC and a scary hit on quarterback Dante Moore should help rally the troops to perform at the level they were projected to be at. One piece that will surely help is Jamari Johnson, who, in his first game back from injury, led both squads in receiving with 119 yards.
BOWL TEAMS
Iowa, Michigan, Northwestern, UCLA, USC These teams should all have legitimate hope to compete in and win a bowl game come late December. Michigan and Iowa just finished on an improbable walk-off back-shoulder touchdown in a game that could have gone either way. Both defenses look extremely stout, and if they can manage to get their offenses on track, both teams can be real threats. Despite USC losing to Oregon at home this Saturday, it would be silly to write off an offense as potent as theirs, especially considering that the Trojans’ receiving core was missing Trent Mosley and Corey Simms. UCLA and Northwestern might be a surprise in this category. However, Northwestern’s late-game rally against the Hoosiers showed grit, and Aidan Chiles looked virtually unstoppable in the second half. UCLA has spent the last four weeks beating up on their opponents, scoring no less than 28 points in each of their matchups. Their true test comes soon: a visit to Eugene to play in Autzen Stadium.
All of these teams have shown the potential to move up into the next category, but have not been as consistent or faced as tough of competition. Illinois is the only team with fewer than three wins in this category, but showed signs of life against an elite Ohio State team and has a top-10 receiving-yards leader in Collin Dixon. Minnesota and Penn State both find themselves at 3-1, but are coming off two very distinct outcomes. Penn State lost their white out game for the second year in a row, this time an upset courtesy of the Wisconsin Badgers. Meanwhile, Minnesota pulled out a gutsy win against a questionable Washington team. Wisconsin just took down Penn State in Happy Valley and can use that moment to forget about a blowout loss early in the year to Notre Dame. Nebraska remains undefeated this year after taking down Michigan State 31-13, but has failed to play against a real deal opponent. Their first challenge will come against Indiana in two weeks.
STRUGGLING
Washington, Rutgers, Michigan State The teams in this group have looked uninspiring for the majority of the season. Michigan State started the year 2-0, but has since dropped in their last two games to Notre Dame and Nebraska. Although a relatively light schedule looking forward could play into their favor. Demond Williams Jr.’s choice to enter the transfer portal seems to have thrown the feng shui of this Huskies team off. Even though they started the year 3-0, Washington had a close call against Utah State and is coming off a loss to an unranked Minnesota team where they went 1-of-10 on third downs. Rutgers started the season on a dud, losing backto-back games against the University of Massachusetts Amherst and Boston College, two programs that have struggled in recent years. Since then, however, the Scarlet Knights played a tough game against a ranked USC, losing only by a touchdown, and beat Howard.
GOOD LUCK NEXT YEAR Purdue, Maryland
Unfortunately for the teams that have landed in this category, their seasons will need a big turnaround in order to find real success. Purdue and Maryland have both taken bad 50-point beatings from a UCLA team that seems to be turning things around after back-to-back losing seasons; however, Purdue’s offense definitely did a better job of punching back. Overall, both of these squads lack firepower on both sides of the ball. (RIGHT) Oregon senior tight end Jamari Johnson (9) lands a touchdown for the Ducks. The University of Oregon Ducks took on West Coast rivals, the USC Trojans, in a game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Sept. 26, 2026. (Katie Poluyansky/Emerald)
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SPORTS DESK REPO
A look at some of Oregon’s strengths and weaknesses four games in. By Daily Emerald Sports Desk
Oregon football has dealt a historically bad upset loss, with the Ducks’ star quarterback showing a tell of which play his offense would run and social media boards calling for coordinator changes after a shaky 3-1 start to the season. At least things are never boring in Eugene. To encapsulate the whirlwind 16 quarters of football Oregon has played, The Daily Emerald sports staff has collected eight thoughts, four positive, four negative, to help you digest everything in the Ducks’ football stratosphere.
BEL PEREZ
Sports Writer
REASONS FOR OPTIMISM: Still early in the season, too early to jump to conclusions
COMMENTS: There’s a lot of space for fans to overreact about how the Ducks have played so far. Following two shallow and uninspiring performances from the Ducks after playing Boise State and Oklahoma State, this doesn’t look like the team that people hoped it to be after a devastating last year. But on the bright side, the season is young, and it’s too early to draw firm conclusions if the team isn’t as good
HANNAH HIIVA
as many hoped. After the 84-0 victory against the Portland State Vikings, the Ducks looked like the team that many people were expecting. All of this shows that the players and their motivation to succeed are still strong. It might’ve been an expected victory, but for the Ducks to win as big as they did against the Vikings, the team still has the caliber to play a complete and competitive game.
Sports Writer
REASONS FOR OPTIMISM: Strong sense of camaraderie
COMMENTS: Their strong sense of camaraderie is noticeable through both wins and losses. Even after setbacks, such as their loss against Oklahoma State, the Ducks continue to encourage and uplift one another rather than allowing challenges to divide them. A strong example of this was seen in the game against USC, the team rallied together for Dante Moore, surrounding him before he was carted off the field. They came together “for 5,” demonstrating their strong belief that they are more than just players on
CADENCE WOODEN
a team. They also celebrate one another’s successes. This kind of camaraderie helps create an environment where players can continue to be motivated. It also reminds them that they do not have to face difficult moments alone. This support also builds trust among players, allowing them to rely on one another both on and off the field. They have each other’s backs, allowing them to focus on working together and moving forward rather than dwelling on past mistakes.
Sports Writer
REASONS FOR OPTIMISM: Roster depth
COMMENTS: Oregon has strength in their roster depth, and that’s been proven early on this season with younger players who have shown they can step into bigger roles when needed with injuries that occurred early on. Freshmen like Messiah Hampton and Kendre Harrison have played well in recent snaps. Hampton helped Oregon with six catches for 71 yards and two touchdowns against Portland State. Oregon also had other
MAX KOEBEL
contributions from other young players throughout the Portland State game, showing that the Ducks have a deep roster and aren’t limited to just their starters to produce. Dylan Raiola made his mark in the USC game after Dante Moore was injured in the first half. With 19 completions on 25 attempts for 289 passing yards and 2 touchdowns. If the younger players continue to develop Oregon’s ceiling could rise as the season goes on.
Senior Sports Writer
REASONS FOR OPTIMISM: Coaching
COMMENTS: While many people may point to the changes in Oregon’s coaching staff as a weak spot through the first month of the season, it can also be looked at as an area of strength when you consider everything the Ducks have accomplished since Dan Lanning became the head coach in 2022. The fact that Oregon’s offensive and defensive coordinators from last year both departed to pursue head coaching jobs is a reflection of the job they did in Eugene. The Ducks have gotten progressively closer to a National Championship each season under Lanning, with last year’s elimination occurring in the semifinals. This is not
the first time Lanning has endured a slow start to a season, and he has always gotten them to at least 10 wins. Lanning is 51-9 overall as a head coach, with Week 2’s loss to Oklahoma State University being the first to an unranked opponent. In two of the past three seasons, Oregon has had a program record number of players drafted into the NFL, with the current record sitting at 10 in the 2025 Draft. Despite how the season began, Oregon fans can feel confident that the new coordinators will rise to the same standard as the guys before them with Lanning at the helm.
THURSDAY, OCT. 1, 2026
ORT CARD COLIN ERNST
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UPCOMING GAMES Sports Writer
10/10 UCLA
AUTZEN STADIUM
REASONS FOR CONCERN: Penalties
COMMENTS: Despite the Ducks’ big win over Portland State last Friday, Dan Lanning made a point to address the teams accumulation of laundry on the field in the post-game press conference: “We had penalties that showed up that could have hurt us in a real competitive situation.” Oregon’s head coach is right to be worried about his team’s lack of discipline, because penalties have hurt them in competitive situations this year. In their close call open-
ROWAN SHEA
er against Boise State, the Ducks’ committed 10 penalties for 90 yards. Those penalty yards helped Boise State keep the game within one score until the final whistle, despite Oregon’s offense outgaining them by over 200. In their win over USC, the Ducks cleaned up their act, only drawing five penalties. To continue to take care of business, Oregon will need to stay sharp and disciplined.
Senior Sports Writer
10/17 NEBRASKA
AUTZEN STADIUM
10/24 ILLINOIS
CHAMPAIGN, ILL.
10/31 NORTHWESTERN AUTZEN STADIUM
REASONS FOR CONCERN: Defense
COMMENTS: The Ducks defense was one of the best on paper coming into the season. But as the season rolls on, the defense flip-flops on each drive. There are times where they enter a drive and show that they are one of the best; they are flying all over the passing game, locking down the run game and pressuring the quarterback.
JONAH FURINO
But on other drives, they play sloppily. They get called for way too many penalties, they let the run slip through without much competition and the deep ball works all too well. When the Ducks are on, they are amazing. But it’s all about stringing together those good drives, and Oregon needs more of that to be a real contender.
Sports Writer
11/7
OHIO STATE
11/14
MICHIGAN
COLUMBUS, OHIO
AUTZEN STADIUM
11/20 MICHIGAN STATE EAST LANSING, MICH.
REASONS FOR CONCERN: Slow starts
11/28 WASHINGTON AUTZEN STADIUM
COMMENTS: Excluding the win over Portland State, the Ducks have yet to have a hot start. Against Boise State, they conceded the first touchdown and responded with a turnover on downs of their own. The Ducks were playing catch-up for most of the game against the Broncos. In their loss to Oklahoma State, they gained a total of four yards in the opening drive. Oregon entered halftime down 17-24 in that game, with a deficit of over 200 total yards. Their poor first half came back to bite them when they made mistakes
HENRY LIGHT
they couldn’t afford down the stretch to ultimately lose the ball game. In the USC game, the Ducks ended the first quarter only up 3-0. The second half showcased Oregon’s best offense of the season, but they couldn’t get it going early on. We’ve seen flashes of a great Oregon offense, but not for the full length of a football game. The Ducks need to start games with the same sense of urgency and execution that we’ve seen them close out games with.
Associate Sports Editor
REASONS FOR CONCERN: Game planning
COMMENTS: The most shocking part of Oregon’s loss to Oklahoma State was the complete failure in one of Dan Lanning’s strong suits: game planning. That afternoon in Stillwater was the most disorganized and unmotivated performance by a Lanning-led Ducks team, and it justifiably prompted questions about every facet of the fifth-year coach’s style. A typically explosive offense
looked lethargic, a typically fired-up defense lacked effort and a typically confident program had to wear a telling loss. The Ducks look back on track after a culture-defining win over USC, but their unexplainably flat showing in Week 2 exposed this group’s floor. Players and coaches alike will need to vigilantly retain the progress they’ve made to avoid those questions growing louder.
(LEFT) Oregon quarterback Dylan Raiola (8) celebrates a successful touchdown attempt. The University of Oregon Ducks defeated West Coast rivals, the USC Trojans 41-27 at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Sept. 26, 2026. (Katie Poluyansky/Emerald)
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OPINION
KRASNOWSKI: HEADING HOME TO COVER OREGON VS. USC Dante Moore, Dylan Raiola and one memorable trip to USC. By Joe Krasnowski Sports Editor
First there was the contact, and next the contrast, and soon the hush that fell over the Coliseum. I don’t think it’s possible to be ready to process what happened Saturday. Not with all the emotions, pomp, and the eyes of the nation suddenly on a pair of kids my age, involved in one of the most emotional moments in recent Oregon football memory. Not with what I thought could happen in Oregon’s 41-27 win over USC. I said, and wrote, pregame how I had virtually no read on the matchup, but what ended up happening might as well have been served to me in hieroglyphics. Pity, sympathy and a whole lot of emotion swirled through my head as Dante Moore got hit around the Oregon 10-yard line and wouldn’t get up. More than anything, I can’t imagine playing football just a few seconds after the doors of the ambulance carrying Moore closed. After more than a decade of coverage of football’s concussion crises, athletes, fans and journalists are well acquainted with the toll the game takes on players. Football, of course, can be beautiful. But what played out in the second quarter was a harsh reminder of its ugly side. And still Oregon won. The Ducks won, and it wasn’t pretty. The Ducks won, and it was beautiful. I do my best to keep fandom out of my writing. To be honest, I want Oregon to do well mostly so I can continue to cover taut games. But Saturday was different. I really wanted this one. I grew up about 30 minutes away from the Coliseum, and USC fans aren’t exactly known for being the most considerate or modest.
Saturday didn’t change much about that paradigm either. This isn’t the space to overly criticize Desman Stephens II for the gross hit on Moore. Nor will I try to explain the football X’s and O’s of such a fast play. I will, however, comment on humanity. Something that, objectively, the Ducks showed a great deal more of Saturday. “I’m praying our player’s healthy,” head coach Dan Lanning said. “I’m praying their player can learn from that situation.” USC head coach Lincoln Riley said that he did not see USC’s clear celebrations after the play. How appropriate. He did add that Stephens II was on the USC sideline in the second half “because he’s on our football team.”
Well, the better football team won Saturday, and whatever drawing board Riley needs to go back to might as well have been broken by now. Yes, there was something beautiful about transfer quarterback Dylan Raiola, who had gone through all types of adversity before landing in Eugene to sit a year leading the Ducks on a remarkable run. But it was made even more important by the human level of the game: a family of brothers putting on a show with shoves flying, nerves rattling, hearts banging as the West Coast crosstown rivals met. I’m lucky to have been there.
(Joe Krasnowski/Emerald) The Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on game day. The University of Oregon Ducks defeated the USC Trojans 41-27 at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Sept. 26, 2026.
FURINO: THE SUN IS SETTING ON THE DUCKS Oregon’s playoff path is already narrowing. By Jonah Furino Sports Writer
(Katie Poluyansky/Emerald) Oregon senior tight end reaches to catch a pass from quarterback Dylan Raiola (8) for a Duck touchdown. The University of Oregon Ducks take on West Coast rivals, the USC Trojans in a game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Sept. 26, 2026.
After Oregon lost to Oklahoma State in Week 2, the world thought the Ducks were doomed. Since then, Oregon has looked much stronger, but has the Oklahoma State loss already sealed their fate? Everybody has their own speculations about whether Oregon will make the playoffs, and what they need to do to make it. My answer: They won’t. For one, the defense is not where it should be. The 84-0 demolition of Portland State doesn’t move me. In the other three games, the Ducks have shown that they are vulnerable to conceding big, momentum-swinging plays. It’s not just one area of the defense either. Against Oklahoma State, they gave up a 75-yard rush from quarterback Drew Mestemaker on the first play. In the USC game, the Ducks gave up a 31-yard touchdown pass in the second quarter, losing them the lead. The whole Oregon defense just doesn’t seem calibrated right now. My second issue with Oregon is that they can’t start hot. In their three competitive games, they trailed at halftime against Boise State and Oklahoma State, and only led by three against USC. They’ve shown flashes of a great team, but not for the full length of a game. The quarterback situation for the Ducks isn’t helpful either. Oregon pulled off its first impressive win of the season against the Trojans, but there was baggage that came with it; star quarterback Dante Moore left the game in the second quarter after suffering a concussion. In comes Dylan Raiola, who, in terms of backups, is probably the best-case scenario.
I don’t think Raiola is much of a downgrade, if at all. Against the Trojans, he didn’t miss a beat, throwing for 289 yards and two touchdowns in just three quarters. Raiola looked like a legitimate option, one who can lead an Oregon team to win games in Moore’s absence. However, Moore’s injury is still a problem, in that it throws off the rhythm of the team. The offense now has to get used to Raiola as their quarterback. Thankfully, Moore’s injury happened early in the season, and right before the Ducks’ bye week, meaning he has time to recover. Still though, switching from one quarterback to another, and back to the original quarterback, is unnatural for everyone involved. The biggest reason I don’t trust Oregon to make the playoffs isn’t actually team-related; it’s schedule-related. By the end of the regular season, when it’s all said and done, Oregon beating Michigan won’t be a strong win, and neither will the win over USC. Michigan just lost to Iowa on a final-second touchdown, dropping them out of the top-25. Both the Wolverines and the Trojans still have to go through Ohio State, Indiana and Penn State. Their resumes are likely to take a hit, which means Oregon’s resume is likely to take a hit as well. It’s a chain reaction. This means that Oregon has to beat Ohio State to make the playoffs. It’s a win and you’re in, lose and you’re out situation. Ohio State showed that they are vulnerable, blowing a 23-3 lead in one quarter against Texas. However, Oregon is way more vulnerable, and they will have a difficult time taking down the Buckeyes on the road. Assuming the Ducks suffer their second loss of the season in Columbus, they’re going to miss the playoffs.
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A Montana State player dodges incoming Oregon Ducks defensive back Jadon Canady (22), sending Canady to the ground. (Saj Sundaram/Emerald)
Former Ducks qu Makaia appear on
The Ducks run out of the tunnel before the start of the game. (Saj Sundaram/Emerald)
PENN STA
MINNESOTA
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RESULTS
The Ducks offensive line huddles together. (Julia Massa/Emerald)
11.15.2025
AUTZEN STADIUM
Key Players DIERRE
HILL JR. + Running Back (#23)
FOR A CO
99
RUSHING YARDS AND 12 RECEIVING
Oregon Ducks running backs Dierre Hill Jr. (23) (Above) Jordan Davison (0) (Below) celebrate after scoring respective touchdowns.
42 13
(Saj Sundaram/Emerald)
OREGON MINNESOTA CFP NO. 8
1 RUSHI 1 REC TOU
"That was easily the loudest stadium I have ever been to. It seemed like the entire crowd desperately needed to prove something to the Ducks and world. Words can't describe 111,000 fans screaming their heads off. In the end, only "Fire Franklin" could be heard from the Nittany Lion faithful." - Jack Lazarus, Sports Editor
Oregon Ducks tight end Kenyon Sadiq (18) celebrates his second-quarter touchdown. The University of Oregon Ducks defeated the University of Minnesota Golden Gophers 42-13 in a Friday night matchup at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Ore. on Nov. 14, 2025. (Julia Massa/Emerald)
(RIGHT) The Penn State University Nittany Lion holds up a “Stadium Pulse” sign, as seen in EA’s "College Football" video game series. (Saj Sundaram/Emerald)
WASHINGT RESULTS
Key Player ATTICUS
RELIVE OREGON’S 2025 SEASON TODAY
SAPINGTON
Oregon’s senior kick memories for the him make four kick 51 yards against Wa rewrote — at least i of a loss two years as he watched his ca sail through from
Kicker (#36)
Oregon Ducks wide receiver Gary Bryant Jr. (2) and Indiana Hoosiers defensive back Devan Boykin (12). (Anna Liv Myklebust/Emerald)
"I can confidently say that I was the happiest Oregon student in Autzen Stadium on Oct. 11. While I would have loved to upload the version of my recap that was coming together after Brandon Finney Jr’s pick-six, nothing could have ruined my first time experiencing “Shout” from high above the away sideline."
- Joe Kr
Spor
4-4 ON F
Henry Light
A FOURT
Sports Writer
A SPECIAL PUBLICATION OF A SPECIAL PUBLICATION OF
dailyemerald.com
Oregon Ducks linebacker Jerry Mixon (54) tackles Indiana Hoosiers quarterback Fernando Mendoza (15). (Anna Liv Myklebust/Emerald)
52-Y
FIELD
Oregon Ducks quarterback Dante Moore (5) runs the ball past Indiana players. (Anna Liv Myklebust/Emerald)
The crowd that had roared back to life began losing numbers, and the Ducks’ comeback hopes were critically damaged. Ten plays later, with Oregon chasing the game, Dante Moore threw another pick — this time to Isaiah Jones — and the game was all-but-over.
MARKED A C Oregon kicker Atticus Sappington (36) points to the sky. (Tyler Graham/Emerald)
DAN LANNING S
FIRST W
- Henry Light,
HUS STAD
Sports Writer
JORDAN DAVISON:
8 CARRIES 59 YARDS
BRYCE BOETTCHER:
11 TACKLES
– THE FIRST FOR THE
(LEFT) Oregon Ducks linebacker Jerry Mixon (54) tackles Indiana Hoosiers quarterback Fernando Mendoza (15). (Anna Liv Myklebust/Emerald)
(LEFT) Oregon Head coach Dan Lanning shakes Oregon fa
Section 6: Indiana
MINNESO
KENYON SADIQ:
8 CATCHES 96 YARDS
RESULTS
AND ONE TOUCHDOWN
"There’s nothing more surreal in student journalism than being a reporter at Autzen Stadium. The views from the press box are stunning. Standing on the sideline as the game is finishing up almost feels like you’re part of the action, especially when we ran across the field with the players the moment the clock hit zero. Finally, discussing the game with Dan Lanning and some of the key players presented a rare opportunity that I will carry for years to come."
Key Player DANTE
MOORE Quarterback (#5)
Max Koebel Sports Writer
Oregon tight end Kenyon Sadiq (18) lays out for a catch. (Corey Hoffman/Emerald)
NOAH WHITTINGTON
8 CARRIES 72 YARDS
AND ONE TOUCHDOWN
Oregon quarterback Dante Moore (5) looks for an open pass. (Corey Hoffman/Emerald)
After a three-and-out from the Minnesota offense, the Ducks took the ball back and went 66 yards on four plays. It ended with a 39yard run by Davison where he ran through the middle of the defensive line and cut around the safeties to find the end zone for his second score of the game. - Max Koebel, Sports Writer
27-30
306 PASSING YARDS
2 TOUCHDOWNS
Oregon wide receiver Jeremiah McClellan (11) attempts to break a tackle by Minnesota Golden Gophers defensive back Jai’Onte’ McMillan (24). (Julia Massa/Emerald)
Ducks quarterback Dante Moore (5) throws th
DANTE M
MARCUS
2012 R
FOR SINGLE-GAME C
WITH
Oregon Ducks tight end Jamari Johnson (9) and teammates celebrate a first-half touchdown. (Corey Hoffman/Emerald)
Oregon quarterback Dante Moore (5) and head coach Dan Lanning talk to the media after the game. (Corey Hoffman/Emerald)
Oregon running back Jordon Davison (0) runs the ball to the endzone. (Julia Massa/Emerald)
IN THE MIN
Section 10: Minnesota
INDIANA
PAGE 10
Indiana Hoosiers football players celebrate with their fans after beating the Oregon Ducks 30-20. (Anna Liv Myklebust/Emerald)
Oregon Ducks tight end Kenyon Sadiq (18) celebrates a touchdown. (Saj Sundaram/Emerald)
KENYON SADIQ
6 CATCHES 72 YARDS
AND TWO TOUCHDOWNS
NOAH WHITTINGTON
19 CARRIES 104 YARDS
AND ONE TOUCHDOWN
10.11.2025
AUTZEN STADIUM
30 OREGON 20
INDIANA AP. NO. 7
AP. NO. 3
Oregon dominated in the trenches, overcoming an injury to center Iapani Laloulu to score on three of its first four possessions. Only adding another highlight reel play on a day full of them was a wildcat formation touchdown run by Boettcher, a linebacker, which capped off a drive that included five penalties, a missed kick and a touchdown respotted to the one-yard line. - Joe Krasnowski,
Oregon Ducks quarterback Dante Moore (5) prepares to throw the ball. The University of Oregon Ducks were defeated by the Indiana University Hoosiers 30-20 at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Ore. on Oct. 11, 2025. (Anna Liv Myklebust/Emerald)
Sports Writer
Oregon Ducks offensive linemen Charlie Pickard (70) and Alex Harkey (71) celebrate running back Noah Whittington’s (6) touchdown. (Saj Sundaram/Emerald)
Oregon t zone for a
Oregon Ducks wide receiver Malik Benson (4) falls as USC Trojans cornerback
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OREGON FOOTBALL WELCOMES STUDENTS BACK TO CAMPUS WITH VICTORY OVER USC Students returned to Eugene, gathering across campus to experience Oregon football together. By Hannah Hiiva Sports Writer
For the first time this season, Oregon football and a full campus of students came together on the same weekend. After an exciting two days of move-in, Saturday, Sept. 26 marked the first Oregon football game with students back in Eugene. Although the Ducks were hundreds of miles away in Los Angeles to take on USC, students and Duck fans gathered around campus and throughout Eugene to experience the game together. One of those gatherings took place on the Memorial Quadrangle, where fans watched the Ducks’ road game. As the 4:30 kickoff approached, students settled into the grass decked out in yellow and green Oregon gear. There is something about a group of people coming together around something they care deeply about, and that could be felt on the quad. After each play, big or small, applause could be heard, all in support of the Ducks. That same support was evident and especially meaningful when Dante Moore was injured in the second quarter after taking a hard hit while sliding after an 11-yard run. As Moore received treatment on the field before being taken away on a stretcher and later to the hospital, the students
responded by holding up five fingers in his honor. While many students could be seen gathered on the quad, it is far from the only way students spend an away game Saturday. Some gather with friends in their dorms or apartments surrounding campus, while others head to bars and restaurants throughout Eugene to watch the game together. No matter the place, students find their own ways to create a greater sense of community around Oregon football, even when the players are hundreds of miles away. There is no single right way to spend an Oregon football Saturday, what matters is coming together to support the Ducks. For students, an away game is more than simply watching a game on a screen, it’s about who they share the experience with. First-year Keerthi Tera experienced her first Oregon football game on campus with friends. “It was such a lively experience seeing the amazing culture of gameday, and it was a great way to meet people during the first week of school.” Freshman Laila Bristol had a similar experience. “I think watch parties are a really good way to meet people that you might not have met otherwise, it’s a great way to connect.” Although the Ducks were not playing on Autzen turf, Duck fans created a gameday atmosphere of their own. From cheering alongside strangers to watching the game
(Katie Poluyansky/Emerald) Oregon football head coach Dan Lanning high-fives the crowd as the Ducks exit the field. The University of Oregon Ducks defeated West Coast rivals, the USC Trojans 41-27 at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Sept. 26, 2026.
with new and old friends, watch parties both on and off campus give students a chance to experience the excitement of Oregon football hundreds of miles away from the field. For students who had arrived only days earlier, it was a chance to begin the school year in the best way possible, surrounded by friends, fellow students and football.
WEST COAST RECRUITMENT IS GETTING CROWDED West Coast programs are climbing up in their recruitment rankings, which could, down the line, create some more competitive recruiting for Oregon. By Cadence Wooden Sports Writer
For years, the West Coast watched some of its best football talent leave home. Now, the recruiting battle is starting to look a lot more local. USC’s No. 1 class may be the first sign that West Coast recruiting is making its way back up to the playing field. USC enters the 2026 season with the No. 1 class in the Rivals Industry Team Recruiting Rankings, while Oregon finished fifth nationally. USC’s class included 35 commit-
ments, 22 of which were rated four- or five-star prospects by the Industry Ranking. Oregon’s smaller 23-player class included 16 four- or five-star recruiters. The movement isn’t only taking place in USC and Oregon though. Now in the 2027 cycle, Oregon sits No. 4 nationally in the Industry Team Recruiting Rankings with 25 commits, including two five-stars and 15 four-stars. UCLA is No. 17, Washington No. 20 and California No. 23. Looking into Oregon’s recruitment success has been in line with head coach Dan Lanning. The Ducks have
consistently recruited nationally while continuing to pull heavily from California and the rest of the West Coast. The difference in the next two years is that Oregon’s regional competition is growing. UCLA has made itself known in this 2027 cycle. The Bruins currently have 23 commitments, including 10 fourstar prospects. Rivals marked UCLA’s defensive back class as being one of the strongest parts of its recruiting surge. The growth isn’t limited to the California area; Washington is also building their roster. The Huskies are now sitting at No. 20 for the 2027 rankings nationally with 24 commitments, including eight four-star prospects. The recruitment numbers are suggesting that the fight for young talent is developing across the region. USC’s 2026 class is the clearest example of what the future has to hold for West Coast recruitment. This could play a significant role in the future for Oregon because California has been one of the Ducks’ more important recruiting territories. If this new pattern is consistent with Southern California staying home and the other West Coast schools remaining competitive, Oregon could be facing a much harder regional recruitment environment than it has in previous years. For right now, Oregon remains a step ahead in the current 2027 Industry rankings. Their classes routinely compete with programs from the SEC, Big Ten and ACC, which helps give Lanning a much wider recruiting footprint than just California and Oregon. But the neighborhood is becoming more crowded. USC has already shown what a No. 1 class can look like. UCLA has climbed into the national top 20. Washington and Cal are both sitting inside the top 25. The rankings still have room to move a lot before signing day, but overall the current numbers are showing something that will seem like an overall outlook. The West Coast is becoming crowded again. And for Oregon, staying on top of the region may now require fighting off more than just the Trojans.
(LEFT) Oregon running back Dierre Hill Jr. (6) strides to the endzone. The University of Oregon Ducks defeated West Coast rivals, the USC Trojans 41-27 at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Sept. 26, 2026. (Katie Poluyansky/Emerald)