Autzen Stadium set the stage for an electric night as the No. 7 Oregon Ducks faced the Boise State Broncos. Despite the smokey air, nothing could extinguish the determination of these two teams. Both squads came into the game with much to prove, and the Ducks were particularly eager to claim their first win against Boise State in program history.
05.jpeg)
Oregon, fresh off a 24-14 win against Idaho, knew they had to tighten up their offensive efficiency, especially in the running game. Boise State entered the matchup on the heels of a 56-45 victory over Georgia Southern, led by standout running back Ashton Jeanty, who played a pivotal role once again.
The first quarter was a back-and-forth battle with the Ducks striking first when quarterback Dillon Gabriel rushed for a yard to score a touchdown. Despite some early struggles, including a couple of sacks and penalties, Oregon found ways to keep Boise State at bay, heading into the second quarter with a narrow 7-3 lead.
07.jpeg)
Boise State's offense found its rhythm in the second quarter as Jeanty pushed in a 3-yard touchdown to give the Broncos a temporary lead. However, Oregon quickly responded with a 34-yard touchdown pass from Gabriel to wide receiver Evan Stewart, reclaiming the lead. Despite their offensive push, the Ducks faced multiple challenges, with sacks on Gabriel and key penalties stalling drives. By halftime, Boise State held a slim 20-14 lead.
The third quarter brought even more drama. The Ducks tied the game at 20-20 with a massive 59-yard touchdown pass to Traeshon Holden, though a missed extra point kept the game deadlocked. Oregon's defense stepped up with critical stops, and special teams delivered with a thrilling 85-yard punt return by Tez Johnson, putting the Ducks up 27-20 heading into the fourth.
13.jpeg)
The final quarter saw both teams trading blows, with Jeanty breaking free for a 70-yard touchdown, leveling the score at 34-34. A tense sequence followed, where Oregon's Noah Whittington returned a kickoff for 100 yards, although it was called back after review. The pressure was on, and both defenses made crucial plays to prevent further scores, keeping the fans on edge.
With only seconds left in the game, Oregon's kicker Atticus Sappington nailed a 25-yard field goal, securing the Ducks' thrilling 37-34 victory over Boise State. It was a historic win for the Ducks, and tight end Terrance Ferguson closed in on his personal milestone, just two receptions shy of 100 career catches.
31.jpeg)
The Ducks overcame adversity, including key injuries and penalties, to pull off a hard-fought win in front of their home crowd. The victory not only marked Oregon's first win against Boise State but also solidified their place as a formidable force in the college football rankings.
