Autzen Zoo
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Ducks reach 3-0 with with room to grow

ByDale Bliss|
Sep 13, 2025; Evanston, Illinois, USA; Oregon Ducks linebacker Jerry Mixon (54) intercepts a pass against the Northwestern Wildcats during the second half at Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images
Sep 13, 2025; Evanston, Illinois, USA; Oregon Ducks linebacker Jerry Mixon (54) intercepts a pass against the Northwestern Wildcats during the second half at Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images | David Banks-Imagn Images

Oregon led Northwestern31-0 after the third quarter, but this wasn't the clean dominating kind of win the Ducks cruised to over Montana State and Northwestern.

Dan Lanning said after the game on the Fox telecast, "I've got a little sour taste in my mouth with the way we ended. We gotta be able to win the fourth quarter, but ultimately, I thought I saw some good play. There's gonna be some stuff we can build off of."

The Ducks were driving to start the fourth, but Dante Moore underthrew a pass into tight coverage at the goal line, intercepted by linebacker Mac Uilhein, who had dropped deep. For the game he was 16-20 passing for 178 yards, one touchdown and one interception. The pick was the first bad ball he had put in harm's way all year.

For the game the Wildcats gained 323 yards, and throughout they made chunks on the ground, but 166 of those yards came in the last 11:27 of the fourth quarter, after Oregon had built a 34-0 lead and substitiuted freely.

Still, regardless of who is playing, Lanning wants the Ducks to play to a standard and execute. The standard slipped in the fourth quarter, outscored 14-3 in a way that will mute national enthusiasm for the Ducks as a national title contender.

However there were many positive moments, and this is a game the Ducks can build off of. They won without their A game, without Noah Whittington and they didn't commit a single penalty.

Jerry Mixon is emerging as a rising star after his second interception of the year and a stop at the goal line, He piled up five tackles, including a tackle for loss. True freshman Dierre Hill continues to dazzle as a breakway running threat, five carries for 94 yards. Young cornerbacks Brandon Finney and Ify Obidegwu looked strong in coverage.

Sophomore safety Aaron Flowers led the team with seven tackles, showing the ability to force the run.

It wasn't their A game, it wasn't a wire-to-write domination, but the Ducks won by three touchdowns on the road. while rotating 75-80 players again, including their No. 3 and No. 4 quarterbacks. The reps for the reserves should play dividends later and provide teaching opportunities.

After a 3-0 start, it's on to Oregon State

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