It was a tale of two halves at Autzen Stadium on Halloween, as the Oregon Ducks fell into a 20-6 hole at home against Northwestern. It was a fright, and the Ducks' offense sans Drew Mehringer didn't show many signs of improvement.
But Oregon turned out to be the last survivor in the slasher film, pulling out a 34-26 victory at home. The Ducks' defense stepped up in the second half, and so did Dylan Raiola. The former five-star quarterback had his best day as a Duck, throwing for 336 yards and three touchdowns, including a 75-yard strike to Dakorien Moore in the fourth quarter.
Moore had his best day as a Duck as well, making seven catches for a career-high 128 yards and two scores. It was Moore's first game topping 100 yards receiving in his Oregon
career.
But by far the biggest surprise was freshman tailback Brandon Smith, who paced the Oregon backfield for the second half after Jordon Davison and Dierre Hill Jr. went down with injuries. Smith rushed for 82 yards and had another 32 yards as a receiver, and even punched in the go-ahead touchdown in the fourth quarter.
Oregon had trouble containing Northwestern's Aidan Chiles, but the pressure got home in the fourth quarter as the Ducks played their most complete football in the final quarter.
Check out the top reactions across social media to Oregon's comeback win at home to upset Northwestern.
Return of Chip Kelly
Visor Sales are going to sky rocket in Eugene again pic.twitter.com/QnDpV5xhMn
— Barstool Ducks (@BarstoolDucks) October 31, 2026
When You See It
NOOO pic.twitter.com/a8DR21EGsu
— Sickos Committee (@SickosCommittee) October 31, 2026
Early Deficit
Northwestern may already have gained an insurmountable lead
— H𝐎mer (@OregonHomer) October 31, 2026
Slinging It
Oregon decides to go with Uncle Rico against Northwestern.
— Sam Urai (@pinchasofpower) October 31, 2026
Missing Chip
Every week Chip Kelly invents a formation that nobody has ever used before and scores a touchdown out of it https://t.co/mjPEKHyaSr
— Rodger Sherman (@rodger) October 31, 2026
Special Teams, Special Plays
DIERRE HILL 53 YARD KICKOFF RETURN pic.twitter.com/qWGRSgfKGy
— FD (@flooduck) October 31, 2026
Welcome Back, Jalen Lott
BIG play by Jalen Lott eye
— Oregon Updates (@oregon__updates) October 31, 2026
Next play is a fumbled snap pic.twitter.com/CqGQ6vGuaq
Miscues
Our team is allergic to any success
— Doug Scott (@DouglasTS) October 31, 2026
Every good play must immediately be followed by a WTF moment
Down Big
Don’t check the Northwestern-Oregon score
— Josh Pate (@JoshPateCFB) October 31, 2026
Civil War
A former Oregon State QB is torching the Ducks today with 212 passing yards and 35 rushing yards in the 2nd quarter.
— WestCoastCFB (@WestCoastCFB) October 31, 2026
Freshman Phenom
JALEN LOTT HUGE CATCH pic.twitter.com/H94J3N3BiF
— FD (@flooduck) October 31, 2026
Dakorien Moore TD
Said it all week: give your stud WRs a chance to make a play.
— Logan Brown (@LoganABrown) October 31, 2026
Oregon is doing it more today, and Dakorien Moore is making it happen. pic.twitter.com/OZw4ZBc124
Taking Shots
I might faint. Did we just throw a 1 on 1 ball to Moore for a touchdown? That’s good offense.
— Geoff Schwartz (@geoffschwartz) October 31, 2026
Halloween Thriller
Dylan Raiola and Dakorien Moore hit MJ's "thriller" dance after Oregon's first TD 😆 🕺 pic.twitter.com/yFMrfq7AnH
— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) October 31, 2026
Ducks Phones Home
The Oregon Duck might've just won Halloween
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) October 31, 2026
🎥: @GoDucks pic.twitter.com/YrjvU6LjVI
Frustration
This team is gonna end me. pic.twitter.com/fJbfvUErTV
— Geoff Schwartz (@geoffschwartz) October 31, 2026
Fumble
Oregon's ball security is just awful. A great strip by Brus.
— Dale Bliss (@AutzenZoo_Bliss) October 31, 2026
Brandon Smith Is Here
HUGE RUN FOR THE TRUE FRESHMAN BRANDON SMITH pic.twitter.com/mFsODCLBhp
— FD (@flooduck) October 31, 2026
Raiola Dime to Jamari
Dylan Raiola has dropped a few of these in today nicely. Still throwing off his back foot a bit, but if it gets to Jamari Johnson, good chance he'll come down with it. pic.twitter.com/dDlq8f5PJn
— Logan Brown (@LoganABrown) October 31, 2026
Benjamin's PBU
Davon Benjamin is going to be on the Mt Rushmore of Oregon DBs by the end of his career.
— Trevor Harding (@trevor8520) October 31, 2026
Pin this.
Improvement
Did Oregon finally remember how to call plays?
— Duck Sports On3 (@DuckSportsSD) October 31, 2026
Breakout
The Brandon Smith Game.
— Andrew Nemec (@AndrewNemec) October 31, 2026
Ducks Lead
BRANDON SMITH TOUCHDOWN OREGONNNN🦆 pic.twitter.com/XRQEU1oKWo
— FD (@flooduck) October 31, 2026
The Return of the Quack
Oregon might be back
— Fantom Ducks (@FantomDucks) October 31, 2026
JStew Seal of Approval
Running back freshman for oregon Brandon Smith is special!
— Jonathan Stewart (@Jonathanstewar1) October 31, 2026
Turned Up the Nas
Nasir Wyatt is relentless. pic.twitter.com/x7ABpkF1hD
— Logan Brown (@LoganABrown) October 31, 2026
75-Yard TD for Dakorien
The funniest possible outcome of this season is everybody struggling in November but the Ducks and Oregon getting in at 9-3. pic.twitter.com/8As58qxZhP
— Tom Fornelli (@TomFornelli) October 31, 2026
Back From The Dead
Jamari Johnson with an unreal catch 😱 @oregonfootball
— Big Ten Football (@B1Gfootball) October 31, 2026
Watch on Peacock pic.twitter.com/5nHzattxvp
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This article originally appeared on Ducks Wire: Oregon Ducks fans react to comeback win vs. Northwestern
