Ducks put away stubborn Wisconsin as super backup Brock Thomas leads two drives

On the first play of the second half Noah Whittington took at toss sweep behind solid downfield blocks and scampered for 35 yards. On the second he pushed through the middle for ten.

On the third Dante Moore kept and got popped in the nose. As he bled Austin Novosad warmed up but Brock Thomas went in. A stretch play gained nothing. Thomas hit Dakorien Moore for 24 yards to the 15.

A personal foul on Poncho Laloulu backed it up 15 to the 20, first and ten. Davison took a stretch play right to the end zone with Alex Harkey pancaking two defenders, 14-0. A quick 6-play, 75-yard drive restored order.

Thomas is, apparently, the legit No. 2 quarterback. The pass to Moore was way above the line, a nice throw on 3rd and 9.

With Thomas still in the game, Whittington broke loose on another toss sweep left behind two good blocks by Kenyon Sadiq, stepping out of bounds at the Oregon 49, a 36-yard gain. Blocking broke down two plays later, Whittington thrown for a four-yard loss to set up 3rd and 11. Moore caught a carom for a first down on a ball nearly picked, a 19-yard gain and Thomas' second conversion on 3rd and long.

A high snap resulted in a loss and put the Ducks behind the chains, 3rd and 17. Thomas threw underneath to Moore for a short gain and James Ferguson-Reynolds punted from the 38, fair caught at the 4, a brilliant pooch punt in a 14-0 game.

The Aussie kicker hasn't had a touchback in eight games, and this one was a crucial edge for his defense in tough conditions, heavy rain with temperatures dropping into the 40s.

With a chance to pin the Badgers, the Ducks gave up 6 on first down, a run off right tackle against a soft edge. Devon Jackson stepped up into the hole and stopped second down cold. On 3rd and 5, Boettcher put a helmet on the ball and popped it loose, recovered by a Badger tackle for a loss of 5.

The Ducks got the ball at the UO 46, knowing a drive would put the game away. With Thomas still at quarterback, two runs by Whittington gained little. A pass interference penalty bailed out the possession, and a roughing the passer by Wisconsin's Darryl Peterson with targeting tacked on 15.

Dierre Hill ran right and busted loosed for 27 down to the UW 10 for a first down as the quarter ended.

After the break Jordon Davison bounced a tough run down to the two. On second down Thomas faked a handoff inside and tossed a soft pass to tackle Gernorris Wilson wide open in the end zone for a 1-yard touchdown, Thomas's first as a Duck, Wilson's second. He'd put on a number 35 jersey and lined up at tight end.

The crowd started filing out after "Shout," safely listening to Jerry Allen in their cars as Oregon led 21-0.

Second down pressure by Na'eem Offord and a sure third down tackle by Dillon Thieneman set up 4th and 3 Simmons threw a hitch for a first down to the 39. Holding pushed the ball back. On 3rd and 14, Simmons launched a pass for 42 yards to the Oregon 1, an underthrown ball, a prayer as the rush collapsed the pocket.

Mason Lance caught a two-yard pass for the first Wisconsin touchdown in 15 quarters, ruining the shutout. Oregon has given up scores 13-13 times in the Red Zone, 10 touchdowns. Alarming also is the Duck defense giving up another 12-play, 75-yard drive in the fourth quarter. It's a pattern, not a good one.

On 4th and 14 Ferguson-Reynolds tossed a pass to a wide-open Roger Saleapaga for a 41-yard touchdown but holding on Matayo Uiagalelei took the TD off the board.

Oregon punted, and on the first play from scrimmage Daylen Austin intercepted a pass over the middle. A personal foul took the ball all the way to the Wisconsin 12. The Ducks took three kneel downs and headed in for a dry tee shirt.