Against the toughest defenses the Ducks have faced this year, the offense has not been productive. In five of their games, they've been held to 26 points or less.
In their first meeting with Indiana, the Hoosiers held them to one offensive touchdown and two field goals, 4.1 yards per play.
Power Outage: Oregon offensive output against strongest defenses
Penn State 17 (regulation, 14 points in double overtime)
Indiana 14 (plus one defensive score)
Wisconsin 21
Iowa 18
UW 26
Texas Tech 23
Source: goDucks.net on X
Oregon has been explosive but not consistent. Their touchdown against the Hoosiers came on a 44-yard pass to Malik Benson, off play-action and a designed rollout. The rest of the game was a tense slog for Will Stein and his group, unable to handle pressure from IU's defensive line and linebackers.
Dante Moore fakes QB keeper before setting up and launching deep to Malik Benson on a Seam Route 2025 Oregon v Indiana 🧶 #nfl #HighSchoolFootball #collegefootball #offensivecoordinator #playdesign #cfb26 #week7 #OregonDucks #GoDucks #DanteMoore #MalikBenson pic.twitter.com/rlu9cimSzG
— Play Designer Pro (@playdesignerpro) October 15, 2025
As it often is, offensive success has been tied heavily to the running game. Over the season, the Ducks offensive line and running backs have combined for 5.5 yards a carry and 206 yards per game. However, against Indiana, Washington and Texas Tech, the run game went to sleep.
Ineffective ground attacks
Opponent, result | Att-Yds rushing | Yds per carry |
|---|---|---|
Indiana, L 20-30 | 30-81 | 2.7 |
Washington, W 26-14 | 42-106 | 2.5 |
Texas Tech, W 23-0 | 47-64 | 1.4 |
The totals include sack yardage. Seven times this season the Ducks have rushed for 200 or more yards. In a rout against Rutgers they bludgeoned the Scarlet Knights for 415. They've been a team that bullies under undermanned defensive fronts, but struggles to move the ball against active linebacker groups and stout defensive tackles.
Indiana is No. 2 in the country in stopping the run, allowing 2.82 yards a carry. Since the first game of the season only one opponent has gained more than 100 yards on the ground, when Penn State pierced them for 117 and two touchdowns in a last-minute Hoosier victory, 27-24.
While it doesn't matter how a team wins a football game, Oregon is unlikely to claim their first national championship unless Will Stein, the running game and the offense come to life. In particular, gaining yards on first down opens up the offense, while an inability to move the ball increases the burden on Oregon's defense, particularly against opponent known for relentless execution and consistency.
Stein flew to Lexington Sunday to begin his new job as Kentucky head coach, while Tosh Lupoi spent a day at Cal meeting with players, coaches and recruits. They have to build a staff and guide their new teams through the portal.
Though both of those men earned those promotions and they've served admirably in Eugene, their divided focus remains an additional challenge for the Oregon program. Indiana's coordinators are staying put.
Cal HC Tosh Lupoi is indeed getting to work in Berkeley
— Thomas Dunn (@Thomasdunn24) January 4, 2026
Here he is meeting with Kansas transfer Jon Jon Kamara on a visit per Kamara’s Instagram pic.twitter.com/iNQ9qEuYtA
The dual responsibilities didn't hamper Lupoi in the leadup to the Texas Tech game. He coached his best game at Oregon, the first shutout in a bowl game for UO since 1917.
The teams that have had offensive success against the Hoosiers have moved the ball through the air. The coverage on the side opposite D'Angelo Pounds has been exploitable. Stein, the Oregon offensive line and quarterback Dante Moore have to find a few creases, or create them.