Updated 9:35 PT
Oregon’s home game against Minnesota was spared the weather dramatics of the past two games. After some overnight rain, the sun was out much of the day and we were treated to an unusually
mild, mid-November day, with partly cloudy skies and 57-degree temperatures at game time.
Before the game, there was continued, very concerning news on the injury front. The Ducks still have a lot of players out right now.
Oregon won the toss and elected to receive to begin the game.
The Ducks chose to test Minnesota’s secondary in the first drive. Pass plays of 38 yards to Malik Benson and 23 yards to Kenyon Sadiq set up a 1-yard Jordon Davison touchdown run.
The Ducks kickoff was a touchback, and Minnesota began their first drive on the 25-yard line. The Oregon defense was all over the Gophers, and the punt after going three-and-out put the Ducks on their 34-yard line to start the second drive.
Oregon only needed four plays, with runs of 13 yard by Dante Moore, followed by a scorching, 39-yard burst by Davison for his second TD of the night.
The Gophers finally managed a first down, then shot themselves in the foot with a holding penalty. Facing 4th and 20, they punted.
With 5:25 on the clock, Oregon looked like they were moving the ball, but then stumbled with a Dante Moore sack and an illegal formation penalty. They faced 3rd and 17 to begin the 2nd quarter. Oregon 14, Minnesota 0.
To begin the quarter, Will Stein decided to run a cute play, and it turned into a fumble recovery for the Gophers.
With the gift of wonderful midfield position, Oregon’s defense had difficulty stemming Minnesota’s momentum. Then, the Gophers’ normal offense showed up and they were forced to kick a 46-yard field goal.
This time, the Ducks wasted no time in charging down the field, and Noah Whittington ran a beautiful – and scary – 40-yard run for the touchdown.
Minnesota responded with their longest drive of the game, aided by a questionable PI calls. The Gophers could get nowhere in the red zone, and had to settle for their second FG of the night.
Oregon took over the ball with 2:25 left to the half. It was an important drive, given that Minnesota would take possession after the half.
The Ducks leaned heavily on the pass for this drive, only running as a means to chew up the clock. The drive culminated with a touchdown pass from Dante Moore to Kenyon Sadiq.
Minnesota was only able to get a first down before punting the ball. The Ducks ran a play and that brought us to halftime. Oregon 28, Minnesota 6.
The halftime score reflected Oregon’s dominance on the field. The Ducks had 332 total yards, to 94 for Minnesota. Dante Moore was passing well, going 18-20 for 200 yards and one TD.
On the Gophers’ first drive of the half, it looked as if Oregon had placed a completely different defense on the field. Minnesota drove 80 yards far too effortlessly. The Ducks were able to stop neither the run nor the pass, and Minnesota mounted their first touchdown of the night.
The Gophers nearly chewed up half the quarter on that one drive alone. Oregon went pass-heavy again, and got the ball to the Minnesota 16-yard line with great catches by Malik Benson and Kenyon Sadiq.
Two play later, a touchdown catch – with just a toe inbounds – by Jeremiah McClellan brought Oregon’s score to 35.
Oregon’s defense woke back up on the Gophers’ next possession, and at the end of the 3rd quarter, Minnesota was looking at 3rd and 31 on their 15-yard line. Oregon 35, Minnesota 13.
The Gophers punted again on 4th and 21, and the Ducks took over on their 30.
Oregon’s next drive was relaxed and methodical, with efficient runs mixed with receptions from the TE room. The next touchdown was a rushing TD, with Jay Harris getting in on the action.
Minnesota had all but given up. They went 3-and-out again, and Oregon got the ball back with 9:26 left to go in the game.
With the starters off the field, the Ducks made a first down but had to punt after seven plays.
The Gophers were content to run the ball and get the game over with. Stalled at their 26-yard line, they punted.
Oregon took the ball over with 2:44 left in the game. They were also content to run and bled the clock to 29 seconds. Minnesota ran down the clock after the punt, and that took us to our final score, Oregon 42, Minnesota 13.
Check back as we update with stats updates, and coach and player interviews!
Updated 9:35 PT
