Oregon suffers sluggish start on the shores of Lake Michigan

Northwestern won the toss and deferred. the Ducks starting on offense against the wind. Jayden Limar bulled ahead for seven yards straight ahead. He's running stronger as a junior.

A second down pass to Limar came up short of the sticks. Out of a two-back set, Jordon Davison bulled ahead for the first down, then Dakorien Moore took a crossing route for another. A play-action pass missed over the middle.

The Ducks faced a third and long with protection breaking down. Moore dumped it off to Davison over the middle for no gain, Oregon having to punt on the opening series for the first time this year.

James Ferguson-Reynolds smarted chipped a 39-yard punt down at the ten, pinning the Wildcats instead of booting it into the end zone.

Moore started 3-4 for 13 yards. On the opening posssession they appeared to miss Whittington's burst, but it's early.

The Wildcats started with a first down, combining a slant pass to Griffin-Wilde with a short funn by Caleb Komolafe, who gained 8 on an inside run, then a second first down on 3rd and 2. The Wildcats drive reached the 34, the Ducks playing with a muted energy, yet to make a defensive play.

On 2nd and 6, NU went empty. Bryce Boettcher knocked away a pass over the middle. Komolafe ran over the right side for the first down., reviewed, down short. NU wnet for on 4th and 1, pushing it over on a quick direct snap to the tight end.

Three first downs brought the ball to the Northwester 45. A double pass failed, well-covered by Ify Obidegwu. The Ducks met a run at the line of scrimmage, but Joseph Himon pushed the pile ahead for 7 yards. Tackling looked shoddy and uninspired.

On 3rd and 8 Bryce Boettcher gathered in a tipped pass and returned it to the 23. Luke Moga came in at quarterback, running right for two yards, Jayden Limar broke loose for 14 on a run up the middle. Dakorien Moore caught a low pass from Moore and took it down to the three, eluding two defenders.

Third and goal at the one. A quick pitch left to Jayden Limar fools the Cats and he strolled into the end zone for a 7-0 lead at the 2:18 mark.

A special teams bust set the Wildcats up with a 39-yard kickoff return out to the NU 45 Special teams had been a strength against MSU and OSU, but coverage failed here, another sign of reduced energy.

The Ducks stacked up a run left, 2nd and 8. Good coverage downfield led to a checkdown for a 6-yard loss. Stone threw high and wide on an out route, three and out. Northwestern's punt sailed into the end zone for a touchback.

Moore started 4-5, but for just 20 yards. On first and 10 from the 20, Another pass to McClellan gained just a yard.

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