Oregon gets a chance to bounce back and begin a drive to the playoffs when they travel to Rutgers Saturday.
No. 8 Oregon (5-1, 2-1 Big Ten) at Rutgers (3-3, 0-3 Big Ten) 3:30 p.m. PT from SHI Stadium in Piscataway, New Jersey.
TV: Big Ten Network, play-by-play Paul Burmeister, analysts Chris Simms and Michael Robinson, sideline reporters Brooke Fletcher and Rhett Lewis.
Odds: Oregon -17.5 (opened at 15.5). Over/Under 60.5. MoneyLine Ducks -1000 (wager $1000 to return $100 plus original bet.) Rutgers +600 ($100 wager returns $600 plus original bet if the Scarlet Knights win.)
Key stats: Rutgers ranks dead last in the Big Ten in yards per play defense, surrendering 6.98 yards per play and 385 yards a game, 15th in the league in scoring defense at 27.5 points per game.
They are also dead last in pass defense, allowing an opponent passer rating of 157.
Quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis leads a potent offense, however. The Scarlet Knights crank out 444 yards a game, 6.04 yards per play and 35.7 points per game.
Kaliakmanis, "The Greek Rifle," throws 35 times a game and averages 298 yards a game, completing 66 percent of his passes, good for 11 touchdowns against three interceptions. Junior Ian Strong, 6-3, 211 and sophomore KJ Duff, 6-6, 225 are his principal targets, with 537 and 479 yards respectively.
Rutgers QB Athan Kaliakmanis looks like a completely different player in 2025. He’s always had a strong arm but he’s learning how to throw with touch. Footwork has been better, and accuracy has taken a step forward.
— Ryan Roberts (@RiseNDraft) October 4, 2025
Needs to stack games but he’s playing very well right now. pic.twitter.com/CzGcjoxGvy
Coach Greg Schiano's squad again features a strong running game. Sophomore Atwan Raymond, 5-11, 205, has carried the ball 102 times for 560 yards, 5.5 yards per attempt with nine rushing touchdowns.
It's a great opportunity for the Ducks to find their fire as a defense. Last week Rutgers lost on the road to Washington, 38-19 after leading 10-0 early.