10-9-25 - Gameday - Emerald Media Group

THURSDAY, OCT 9, 2025

OREGON vs. INDIANA EDITION

EUGENE’S ‘DAPPER DUCK’

Inside Oregon fan Chris Smith’s sparkly gameday routine.

BE A PART OF HISTORY.

Grab the gear and make sure you’re ready to tie-dye out Autzen Oct 25th !

GAMEDAY

GAMEDAY, the Daily Emerald’s football edition, is published by Emerald Media Group, Inc., the independent nonprofit news company at the University of Oregon founded in 1900.

EMERALD MEDIA GROUP

1395 University St., rm. 302 Eugene, OR 97403

541.346.5511 | dailyemerald.com

NEWSROOM

Editor in Chief

Tarek Anthony

Print Managing Editor Ryan Ehrhart

Sports Editors

Jack Lazarus

Owen Murray

Copy Chief Olivia Ellerbruch

Sports Writers

Joe Krasnowski

Max Koebel

Rowan Shea

Rachel McConaghie

Harry Leader

Henry Light

Photo Editor

Saj Sundaram

Design Editor

Adaleah Carman

Designers

Eva Andrews

Maya Gooneratne

BUSINESS

President & Publisher

Eric Henry x317

Vice President, Operations Kathy Carbone x302

Creative Technical Director Anna Smith x327

ADVERTISING

Director of Sales and Digital Marketing

Shelly Rondestvedt x303

Account Executives

Torin Chevalier

Camcole Pereira

Ava Stephanian Elliot Byrne

(On The Cover) Photo Courtesy of Chris Smith, a.k.a ‘The Dapper Duck’

(Right) Oregon Ducks running back Dierre Hill Jr. (23) is tackled by the Nittany Lions as Oregon Ducks wide receiver Dakorien Moore (1) tries to block. The University of Oregon Ducks played the Penn State University Nittany Lions at Beaver Stadium in State College, Pa. on Sept. 27, 2025. (Saj Sundaram/Emerald)

PLAYER

OREGON

WEEK 6 INDIANA ROSTERS: INDIANA

vs.

OREGON OFFENSE

DANTE MOORE

AUSTIN NOVOSAD

MAKHI HUGHES

NOAH WHITTINGTON

MALIK BENSON

JUSTIUS LOWE

DAKORIEN MOORE

GARY BRYANT JR.

ISAIAH WORLD

EMMANUEL PREGNON

IAPANI LALOULU

CHARLIE PICKARD

DAVE IULI

MATTHEW BEDFORD

ALEX HARKEY

KENYON SADIQ

OREGON DEFENSE

A’MAURI WASHINGTON

BEAR ALEXANDER

TIONNE GRAY

MATAYO UIAGALELEI

TEITUM TUIOTI

BRYCE BOETTCHER

DEVON JACKSON

BLAKE PURCHASE

ELIJAH RUSHING

DILLON THIENEMAN

AARON FLOWERS

IFY OBIDEGWU

BRANDON FINNEY JR.

THERAN JOHNSON

PEYTON WOODYARD

DAYLEN AUSTIN

OREGON SPECIAL TEAMS

ROSS

INDIANA OFFENSE

PLAYER

ELIJAH SARRATT

E.J. WILLIAMS JR.

OMAR COOPER JR.

CHARLIE BECKER

CARTER SMITH

DREW EVANS

PAT COOGAN

BRAY LYNCH

KAHLIL BENSON

RILEY NOWAKOWSKI

HOLDEN STAES

FERNANDO MENDOZA

GRANT WILSON

ALBERTO MENDOZA

ROMAN HEMBY

KAELON BLACK

INDIANA

HOSEA WHEELER

MARIO LANDINO

KELLAN WYATT

ROLIJAH HARDY

AIDEN FISHER

ISAIAH JONES

JAMARI SHARPE

D’ANGELO PONDS

RYLAND GANDY

LOUIS MOORE

AMARE FERRELL

ANTHONY CHUNG

DEVAN BOYKIN

HOW AGGRESSIVE WERE DAN LANNING’S FOURTH-DOWN DECISIONS AGAINST PENN STATE?

Lanning went five-for-seven after emphasizing aggression on fourth downs in his game plan.

BY HENRY LIGHT Sports Writer

Oregon’s Week 5 win over Penn State put head coach Dan Lanning’s decision-making on fourth downs under a microscope. “We were really clear before the game, regardless of the result, all of our goals are in front of us, we’re coming here to win the game, (and) we’re coming here to be aggressive,” Lanning said.

ESPN’s NFL Game Management Cheat Sheet, a tool that skews more aggressive than most coaches, can measure the true aggressiveness of Lanning’s decisions. The cheat sheet accounts for yards to gain and distance from the end zone to simplify ESPN’s full fourth-down model and recommend fourth-down decisions.

11:14 a.m. First Quarter — 4th-and-1 55 yards from the end zone

Cheat Sheet: Go for it

Lanning: Went for it

Lanning was clear about this decision post-game, “We had a false start on the first fourth down, otherwise we would have converted that one — we had a great play call.” Indeed, the pitch to Jordon Davison gained more than enough on the field, but it was erased by tight end Jamari Johnson’s false start.

0-0, 10:55 a.m. First Quarter — 4th-and-5 59 yards from the end zone

Cheat sheet: Go for it

Lanning: Punt

This is the furthest yard marker from which the cheat sheet recommends going for it on 4th-and-5. Given the situation that neither the cheat sheet nor the model can account for — revealing a play call on the previous play— it is fair that Lanning’s aggressiveness stopped short of this conversion attempt.

0-0, 7:32 a.m. First Quarter — 4th-and-1 59 yards from the end zone

Cheat sheet: Go for it

Lanning: Went for it

The cheat sheet takes 4th-and-1 attempts a step further than most coaches would, recommending going for it in a

typical situation anywhere on the field. Understanding that Lanning came into this game with a particularly aggressive mindset, it is not surprising that he was unfazed by the risk of a turnover in excellent field position that would have dissuaded some coaches. Tight end Kenyon Sadiq motioned across the line and helped the right side open up a massive gap for Dante Moore to convert.

0-0, 3:30 p.m. First Quarter — 4th-and-3 38 yards from the end zone

Cheat Sheet: Go for it

Lanning: Went for it

This one was a no-brainer for both Lanning and the cheat sheet. Outside of field goal range and too far downfield to punt, he drew up a shotgun pass for Moore. Before the play could develop, defensive end Dani Dennis-Sutton stutter stepped and blew by right guard Alex Harkey, forcing Moore out of the pocket. He spun past one defender at the line of scrimmage, but cornerback A.J. Harris and linebacker Amare Cambell combined to stop him a yard short. The turnover on downs led to Penn State’s opening field goal, but Lanning still made the correct decision.

0-3, 11:33 a.m. Second Quarter — 4th-and-2 43 yards from the end zone

Cheat Sheet: Go for it

Lanning: Went for it

Like 4th-and-1, the cheat sheet is more aggressive than most coaches on 4th-and-2, but the combination of Lanning’s aggressive game plan, his increasing comfort with going for it as he got more looks at Penn State’s defense, and Oregon’s proximity to game-tying field goal range, this was fairly straightforward.

Moore timed the pass over the middle to wide receiver Malik Benson perfectly, and as soon as Benson turned to face him, the ball was in his hands for a gain of seven.

0-3, 9:40 a.m. Second Quarter — 4th-and-3 29 yards from the end zone

Cheat Sheet: Go for it

Lanning: Attempted field goal

Although the cheat sheet disagrees with Lanning, it would have recommended a field goal on 4th-and-4 from the same yardage, so this was a tight margin. Accounting for the score, like the full model would have done, the decision to tie the game is understandable.

The 47-yard attempt was one yard short of Atticus Sappington’s career long, but from the right hash marks, he pulled it wide left.

0-3, 5:52 p.m. Second Quarter — 4th-and-1 50 yards from the end zone

Cheat Sheet: Go for it

Lanning: Went for it

The cheat sheet can’t account for “Mo Bamba” echoing through Beaver Stadium as the Ducks lined up on 4thand-1, but Lanning’s openness to playing the song he admitted to disliking at practices during the week prepared the team for the moment.

Lanning’s play action call worked to perfection, stranding six secondary defenders who broke toward the line in anticipation of a run, and leaving Dakorien Moore open for a 20-yard gain.

0-3, 3:47 p.m. Second Quarter — 4th-and-4 24 yards from the end zone

Cheat Sheet: Field goal

Lanning: Field goal

4th-and-4 is the first yardage where the cheat sheet recommends a field goal attempt 24 yards out. Lanning’s decision to resist a conversion attempt that the model would have deemed overly aggressive showed an impressive control of his game plan. If this was Lanning at his most aggressive, he is still willing to make conservative decisions when they’re in his best interest

Sappington got redemption and tied the game from 42 yards out.

Second Half

The cheat sheet doesn’t apply to the two fourth downs that Lanning faced in the fourth quarter due to the amount of converging factors that the model considers. With 7:07 remaining, he made his easiest decision, punting on 4thand-14 from Oregon’s 32-yard line, but five minutes earlier, he made possibly his hardest decision of the game.

On 4th-and-1 from Penn State’s eight-yard line, Lanning opted to keep his offense on the field and press for a 17-3 lead rather than 13-3. Tight ends Zach Grace and Kenyon Sadiq lined up on the right side of the line, with Grace motioning to the left and Sadiq following him once the ball was snapped. Both made key blocks in the backfield, and Davison gained all eight yards for the two-touchdown lead.

(ABOVE) The Oregon defensive line prepare for the Nittany Lions tush-push. The University of Oregon Ducks played the Penn State University Nittany Lions at Beaver Stadium in State College, Pa. on Sept. 27, 2025. (Saj Sundaram/Emerald)

OREGON VS. INDIANA PREVIEW

Two top 10 teams will clash in Eugene.

MAX KOEBEL Senior Sports Writer

The No. 3 ranked Ducks (5-0, 2-0 Big Ten) return to Autzen Stadium where their young roster will be tested against a top 10 team that has combined with Oregon for one regular season loss since the beginning of last season.

The No. 7 Indiana Hoosiers (5-0, 2-0 Big Ten) will be in town looking to prove they are the best team in the conference.

This will be the Ducks’ first home game since becoming the team with the longest active home winning streak in college football with 18 games since 2022. Oregon took over the streak following losses by the previous top two (Georgia - 34 games unbeaten and Washington - 22) in Week 5.

This will also be the first AP top ten matchup at Autzen Stadium since almost exactly a year ago when No. 3 Oregon defeated No. 2 Ohio State 32-31 on Oct. 12, 2024. Just like that Saturday, ESPN’s “College Gameday” will be hosted on Oregon’s campus the morning of the game.

The Hoosiers will certainly be putting that streak to the test when they take the field on Saturday. Their success has been driven by head coach Curt Cignetti, who is in his second year with the team and holds a 16-2 record.

His first Division I job was at Elon University starting in 2017, followed by James Madison University in 2019 before arriving in Bloomington ahead of the 2024 season. Cignetti has never had a losing season with any of the programs he’s coached.

Cignetti has turned to a major offensive force this year in redshirt junior quarterback Fernando Mendoza. Before coming to Indiana in the offseason, Mendoza started 19 games at Cal. He was a part of back-toback 6-win seasons, which sent the Golden Bears to bowl games for the first time since 2019. In his first five starts as a Hoosier, Mendoza has thrown 89 for 122 for 1,208 yards with 16 touchdowns and just one in-

DILLON THIENEMAN’S

FIRST OREGON MOMENT

The Purdue transfer delivered the final cut against Penn State with a game clinching interception — and it’s just the beginning for one of the Ducks’ marquee portal additions.

BY ROWAN SHEA Sports Writer

“It’s like a dream come true,” defensive back Dillon Thieneman said in the post game press conference after securing the 30-24 win for Oregon in double overtime against Penn State.

It was just a dream 10 months ago, but Thieneman has come a long way from where he was on Dec. 7, 2024. That night, Thieneman had something in common with the 10.5 million viewers who tuned their television to CBS and watched Oregon take on Penn State in the 2024 Big Ten championship: he was watching the game from home.

“I was still at Purdue,” Thieneman said. “Watching that game from my apartment… I was definitely disappointed with how the (Purdue) season went.”

With the departure of Johnson and Savage, Lanning had to bring in some veteran talent to go along with redshirt freshman Ify Obidegwu, who spent all of 2024 out with an injury, and true freshmen Na’eem Offord and Brandon Finney Jr.

Then, Thieneman enters. Through four games, Thieneman had 16 tackles for Oregon and was playing solidly against the competition, but that competition wasn’t as strong as Penn State. None of the teams Oregon had played leading up to Penn State constantly targeted players downfield. How would Thieneman, and the rest of the team, do against the No. 3 team in the nation?

terception. He has also rushed for 102 yards and two touchdowns on 30 carries.

Mendoza made his first appearance at Autzen Stadium in 2023, when he went 18/34 passing for 177 yards in Cal’s 63-19 loss to the heavily favored Ducks. Since then, he has grown into one of the top quarterbacks in college football.

Indiana has already passed two major tests in each of its first games in Big Ten play. Three weeks ago, it put up 63 points in a win against No. 9 Illinois. Mendoza threw for five touchdowns in the game. The following week, the Hoosiers faced a tightly contested game in a tough on the road environment against Iowa and survived with a 20-15 win.

Mendoza’s primary targets have been wide receivers Omar Cooper Jr. and Elijah Sarratt, who have combined for 820 yards and 12 touchdowns on 53 receptions. The Hoosiers have also relied on their run game which, similar to Oregon, has tremendous depth. Running backs Roman Hemby, Kaelon Black, Khobie Martin and Lee Beebe Jr. have all seen plenty of action. They have combined for 172 carries for 1,126 yards and seven touchdowns this season.

After coming out of Happy Valley with a win, it can be easy for Oregon fans to overlook the other teams on the schedule, but Indiana has the No. 7 ranking next to its name for a reason. Oregon head coach Dan Lanning has preached “strength in numbers” all season, but it could very well be Indiana’s depth on offense that stumps the Ducks.

“(The Hoosiers) do a lot of things well,” Lanning said. “How they play to their players’ strengths. Their quarterback is playing as good as anybody, they’re extremely well coached on both sides of the ball, they create a lot of havoc on defense.”

(ABOVE) Sept. 20, 2025; Bloomington, Indiana, USA; Indiana Hoosiers wide receiver Elijah Sarratt (13) and Indiana Hoosiers quarterback Fernando Mendoza (15) celebrate after a touchdown during the second half against the Illinois Fighting Illini at Memorial Stadium. (Robert Goddin-Imagn Images)

For the Boilermakers, 2024 was a dismal season. Thieneman, however, was a bright spot for 1-11 Purdue, leading the team in tackles with 104, 70 of those being solo tackles, and registering a sack.

At the end of his time at Purdue, Thieneman had put together two stellar seasons: 210 total tackles, 144 solo tackles and one sack. Thieneman also finished tied for the third most interceptions in college football with six in 2023.

He also earned the accolades to go with it: five-time Big Ten Freshman of the Week (2023), Pro Football Focus All Big-Ten Team, FWAA Defensive Freshman of the Year and third-team All-America honors from AP in 2023.

The 2024 edition of the Ducks started Tysheem Johnson and Kobe Savage in the defensive backfield. Johnson and Savage both had solid numbers of their own and played vital roles in the Oregon secondary, which was ranked in the top ten of multiple Big Ten pass defense categories.

A game that has been circled on the calendars of college football fans for months finally rolled around on Sept. 27. Despite a lackluster offensive start to the game, it picked up in the second half. Defensively, the Ducks made the night very difficult for Penn State’s quarterback Drew Allar, who had only one pass for more than 15 yards in the first half. The lack of deep strikes thrown by Penn State is a testament to the great coverage that Oregon, Thieneman included, exhibited in the backfield.

Regulation culminated in a 17-17 tie after the Nittany Lions clawed their way back into the game; it was only fitting that this highly anticipated matchup between Big Ten powerhouses would have to be decided in overtime.

On the first play of the Nittany Lions’ second overtime drive, Thieneman stepped up. Penn State quarterback Drew Allar was looking to the right side for tight end Luke Reynolds, but the ball never got there. Thieneman, springing into the air, snatched the ball out of its path, securing the win for Oregon, and taking the breath out of 111,000 fans.

Although he was the one that delivered the final cut, Thieneman took very little praise for himself. “No one was going to do it on one play, or it wasn’t going to happen in one moment,” Thieneman said.

In the remaining six weeks of Oregon’s season, Thieneman has the opportunity to build on the great start he’s had to another remarkable season. With the Indiana Hoosiers rolling into Eugene in Week 7, the star of the Oregon secondary is going to have tough competition lining up against wide receivers Omar Cooper Jr. and Elijah Sarrat, who have 408 and 412 receiving yards respectively. Continuing to play to the level he has so far, Thieneman can continue to build his case for being the best defensive back in college football, which would see him take home the Jim Thorpe award, and bolster his chances to be selected as a high first round pick.

SHINING ON AND OFF THE FIELD

How Duck fan Chris Smith takes his fandom to the next level.

BY JOE KRASNOWSKI Senior Sports Writer

Oregon’s athletes aren’t the only thing shining on gamedays.

For hundreds of thousands of fans coming to or watching a television broadcast game at Autzen Stadium or Matthew Knight Arena over the last half-decade, it’s been nearly impossible to miss the Dapper Duck.

That title is a mirrored, shiny creation of Ducks’ super fan Chris Smith, who has been dressing up in a mirrored and colorful suit for Oregon football, basketball and volleyball games since 2019.

It's become an identity “ “

Chris Smith The Dapper Duck

Smith, who operates under the handle @therealdapperduck on Instagram, has become somewhat of a pseudo-mascot for Oregon fans, attending every event he can in incredibly sparkly fashion.

The suit, which he says does not have a name but has evolved to this particularly glistening rendition, has a removable liner on the inside that can be washed. Smith says it also does remarkably well with rain.

“I can really wear it wherever, obviously, the games at Matthew Knight are better,” Smith said. “But now that it’s more of a thing, it’s become an identity.”

Smith grew up in Maine before moving to Santa Cruz, California, and has now lived in Eugene since the 1990s. He has made a life in Oregon, raising his daughter in the city and going to every Ducks sporting event he can.

“Eugene has been so good to me,” Smith said. “From

the beauty to the sports, there’s not much else I could ask for…. I think dressing up and putting on a good show when I can is a good way to give back.”

Smith recently traveled to State College for Oregon’s matchup with Penn State, a trip that he estimated to cost nearly $3,000 for him and his fiancée, Renee. He says his favorite memory as a fan was traveling to the Big Ten Championship last season in Indianapolis — after the game, he shaved both sides of his head with the writing “Big Game, 10 Champs” on each side of his head after the Ducks’ Big Ten Championship win.

Smith works in landscaping, but it’s truly his Saturday and other gameday shifts that stand out the most.

“It’s good fun, and I try to remind myself that it’s all for fun really,” he said. “For me, knowing something as simple as dressing up and wearing a fun outfit can make someone’s day, win or lose.”

As for his title, Smith came up with “The Dapper Duck” with the help of a friend.

“I started doing sequins and stuff for a while. I had been brainstorming with a friend, and then that one came up and we went with it,” he said.

Smith said he has always been interested in fashion, outfits and colors, but in 2017, he decided to take his fandom to a new level.

“I bought a sequin jacket online that was kind of a green and gold mix. I started wearing that to basketball, but more women’s basketball because that was so big… the Sabrina (Ionescu) days mainly, because they were so good,” he said.

Smith says he is an outgoing person, but understands that the suit helps him elevate to another level.

“It’s a bit of my personality, but there’s definitely a character involved in the whole process,” Smith said. “Espe cially with football, because it’s such a big thing. Basket ball, volleyball, it’s a little different outside, really, really big games and matches.”

Although flashy, the suit and Smith’s gameday gig are not free from familial embarrassment, in good fun, of course.

“My friends, of course, love it,” Smith said. “My daughter, she’s a sophomore

at UO now. She loves it too, but she’s a college student, so she’s like ‘can you not wear the jacket all the time’... she’ll go to football games with me, of course, but probably doesn’t love all the attention it sometimes brings.”

The transition to dressing up for Smith, however, was natural.

“I was probably nervous the first couple of times I had done it, because I had just worn jerseys and normal fan stuff,” Smith said. “But now I don’t really even think about it.”

Smith has also begun to incorporate a gold hat that matches the rest of his outfit. He and Renee both tout similarly unique outfits on and off gamedays and enjoy going “all out.”

The suit also serves as a terrific ice-breaker, something that helps him connect with other fans and their kids instantly.

“These past couple of years, Oregon has been beating some schools pretty badly, so it’s a fun way to talk about something outside the game, regardless of the score,” he said.

Of course, it’s always better when Oregon wins, he says.

“I love the Ducks… dressing up just makes it a lot more fun and a unique part of the experience.”

OREGON’S SWISSARMY KNIFE OF RUNNING BACKS

In Oregon’s stacked running back room, each star athlete gives a slightly different advantage to the offense and packs an effective punch in their own way.

BY JACK LAZARUS Sports Editor

What does a team look for in a star running back? Is it the elite breakaway speed, bruising power or versatility that confounds defenses?

Well, that might not be a question Oregon needs to answer at this point, as the Ducks can do it all by committee, and then some. Each running back that’s been featured so far this season adds something unique and effective for the offense.

DO-IT-ALL, LEADER OF THE PACK

NOAH WHITTINGTON

Whittington plays a fairly subdued role in the backfield for someone in the midst of his fourth season in Eugene and sixth as an FBS-level college football player. But that’s exactly how Whittington has carved out a distinct, concrete role with the Ducks.

Whittington missed the third and fourth games of the season with an injury, but came back and carried the ball seven times in Oregon’s win at Penn State. His ability to complement other running backs throughout his time in Eugene has defined Whittington. In no other season has that role been more important, however.

This is the most depth Whittington’s been a part of during his four seasons at Oregon, which means he’s had to specialize more than previous seasons. That’s not an issue, as Whittington’s ability to stay on his feet through contact makes him useful in short yardage, his ability to get outside and kill a defense with speed makes him useful on first and second downs and his ability to run routes and receive makes him an excellent option on passing downs.

CAN BE DESCRIBED AS A “FLEX” IN FANTASY FOOTBALL TERMS

— JAYDEN LIMAR

A true junior, Limar saw playing time in each of his first two seasons, but last season proved his breakout year. He appeared in all 14 games in 2024, which was more a testament to his abilities as a receiver and returner on special teams because of his significant impact there. This season, offensive coordinator Will Stein incorporated his unique pass-catching ability into the offense a lot more. Limar is most effective when he lines up in the backfield, but ends up running a route usually only seen from receivers. These kinds of plays catch defenses off guard and demonstrate Limar’s speed when not running with the ball. Limar sits second for Oregon running backs in passing yards with 49, but leads in receptions with seven through five games.

He has the skills and build to be an effective FBS receiver, but he can also fire through a hole up the middle, break some tackles and get Oregon a tough ten yards. Limar’s third season with the Ducks has shown his unique skillset that, with proper training and discipline, could translate to any of the other skill positions on the offense.

SHORT-YARDAGE BRUISER

— JORDON DAVISON

Through five games, Jordon Davison, a true freshman, has seven rushing touchdowns. That’s tied for seventh in FBS and the most amongst freshmen. Talk about an instant impact. Davison has been able to carve out a role as the team’s power-back.

“We get down by the goal line, nobody is stopping (Davison) from getting one yard, two yards, three yards, four yards, five yards, six yards. He’s a big back and runs with a lot of power,” Whittington said after Davison’s three touchdown performance against Montana State.

Davison’s 6-foot, 236-pound frame makes him a nightmare for opposing defenders and continues to help highlight him as Oregon’s strongest runner.

LIGHTNING LAUNCH, BREAKAWAY SPEED; THE “GOODBYE” BACK

— DIERRE HILL JR

Another true freshman making an impact, Hill leads the team in rushing with 270 through five games. Hill has also added three total touchdowns. His speed has been the major head-turner for many.

Oregon already employed fast, experienced players going into the season, so no one assumed that Hill would assume the “speed-guy” role. Hill’s speed, even at his age, leaves defenders constantly guessing. His ability to find small windows, either on the outside or through the middle, has been the catalyst to some electric plays with the ball in Hill’s hands.

Out of the backfield, Hill’s style appears a lot like former Duck Kenjon Barner, and it would not be surprising if his talent was used on kick returns in the future.

(RIGHT) Oregon Ducks running back Jayden Limar (27) and tight end Kenyon Sadiq (18) celebrate after a touchdown. The University of Oregon Ducks opened their football season against the Montana State Bobcats at Autzen Stadium on Aug. 30 in Eugene, Ore. (Saj Sundaram/Emerald)

AROUND THE BIG TEN: WEEK 6

Big shakeups follow after losses from Penn State and Maryland.

HARRY LEADER

Sports Writer

The Big Ten saw some major shakeups in week six with upsets and middle-of-thetable battles. These matchups were filled with hard-fought showdowns and blowouts around the conference. The Daily Emerald breaks down all the action.

No. 7 Penn State falls to previouslywinless UCLA at the Rose Bowl, 42-37

Things only got worse for James Franklin and the Nittany Lions (3-2, 0-2) as they fell to 0-2 in conference play after a massive victory for the Bruins (1-4, 1-1) under interim head coach Tim Skipper and first-time playcaller (former tight ends coach) Jerry Neuheisel. UCLA transfer quarterback Nico Iamaleava finally found his footing in Los Angeles after he ran for 128 yards and three touchdowns. He also threw for 166 yards and two touchdowns against a Penn State defense that took the Ducks to overtime in their previous loss. Nittany Lions quarterback Drew Allar had a solid game with 200 passing yards and two touchdown passes, but it wasn’t enough to save Penn State from humiliation on the road.

No. 1 Ohio State blows out Minnesota, 42-3

The Buckeyes (5-0, 2-0) continue to dominate in conference play after a stellar performance from quarterback Julian Sayin and wide receiver Carnell Tate. Sayin threw for 326 yards and three touchdowns with Tate accounting for 183 of those yards and one touchdown. The Golden Gophers (3-2, 1-1) struggled in all aspects of the game with quarterback Drake Lindsey unable to even crack 100 passing yards, while the backfield could only muster 68 rushing yards against a strong Ohio State defense.

Washington gets big comeback win against Maryland, 24-20

Jedd Fisch and the Huskies (4-1, 1-1) got a big win on the road against the Maryland Terrapins (4-1, 1-1). Both teams are now 1-1 in conference after Washington dominated late with 21 points in the fourth quarter. Maryland controlled the game for the first

three quarters until Huskies quarterback Demond Williams threw for two touchdowns and running back Jonah Coleman sealed the victory with a goal line touchdown.

Nebraska handles Michigan State, 38-27

The Cornhuskers (4-1, 1-1) put on a show for their fans with running back Emmett Johnson who scored three rushing touchdowns and Carter Nelson returned a block punt for a touchdown. Nebraska quarterback Dylan Raiola had a pedestrian day with 194 yards, one touchdown and one interception. Michigan State (3-2, 0-2) quarterback Aidan Chiles had a rough game throwing two interceptions and took a big hit that sidelined him for a portion of the game. Michigan State may have hope at the quarterback position after backup Alessio Milivojevic threw for 71 yards and a touchdown. Additionally he ran in a goal line touchdown on his only carry.

Michigan wins, 24-10, at the Big House over Wisconsin

The Wolverines (4-1, 2-0) handled business against the Badgers (2-3, 0-2) at home with strong performances from freshman quarterback Bryce Underwood and running back Justice Haynes. Underwood threw for 270 yards and one touchdown, most of those yards coming from receiver Donaven McCulley who caught six passes for 112 yards and scored the lone passing touchdown. Haynes dominated the run game with 117 yards and two touchdowns.

Around the Big Ten: Scoreboard

Illinois (5-1, 2-1) went on the road to West Lafayette and took down Purdue (2-3, 0-2) 43-27. Wide receiver Hank Beatty’s 186 yards was instrumental in the Fighting Illini’s victory over the Boilermakers. They will take on Ohio State at home in Week 7.

Northwestern (3-2, 1-1) played a non conference game against University of Louisiana-Monroe in a 42-7 victory for the Wildcats. Northwestern quarterback Preston Stone had an impressive game with 262 passing yards and three touchdowns. The Wildcats go on the road in Week 7 against a deflated Penn State.

(ABOVE) The University of Oregon Ducks are stopped at the goal line on fourth down by the Montana State Bobcats. The University of Oregon Ducks opened their football season against the Montana State Bobcats at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Ore. on Aug. 30.

(Saj Sundaram/Emerald)

FRESHMAN PHENOM: DAKORIEN MOORE EMERGING AS OREGON’S TOP RECEIVER

With explosive playmaking and elite production, Dakorien Moore has become one of the top freshmen in the nation.

BY RACHEL MCCONAGHIE Sports Writer

It’s no surprise that No. 3 Oregon football’s freshman class is living up to the hype, consistently performing under the pressure and securing starting roles on the field. But heading into Week 7, one name continues to stand out: wide receiver Dakorien Moore.

From the moment he stepped foot in Autzen Stadium for the Spring Game back in April, Dakorien showed he was ready. He quickly became the go-to option for quarterback Dante Moore and the two became known as the “Mooreto-Moore” connection.

In his debut against Montana State, he showed off his versatility with his hands and his feet. On the stat sheet, he caught three passes for 26 yards and rushed twice for 17 more, and yet arguably his most impressive moment came on a play where he never touched the ball.

On a touchdown by redshirt senior wide receiver Gary Bryant Jr., Dakorien pancake blocked a defender and proceeded to drive him 10 yards back allowing Bryant Jr. to find the endzone.

“It’s not natural,” Oregon head coach Dan Lanning said after the game. “Im really proud of that play. He’s blocking the wrong guy, but he’s blocking his ass off.”

Plays like that are what set Dakorien apart. He’s explosive, a team player and shows receiving production.

“We love it and we appreciate each other, but he’s always willing to work and it proves that when the ball’s in his hand, he’s electrifying,” Dante Moore said at the Aug. 30 postgame press conference of his true freshman.

The duo’s chemistry was on full display in Oregon’s blowout win over Oklahoma State on Sept. 6, when Dakorien hauled in a 65-yard touchdown reception, the longest by a Duck this season. But it was his performance against then-No. 3 Penn State that turned heads across the country. In Oregon’s biggest win of the year, Dakorien posted a season-high seven catches for 89 yards, helping the Ducks stay undefeated and in the College Football Playoff race.

Dakorien’s impact has a direct effect on the overall team performance. After five games, Dakorien leads Oregon in both receptions (19) and receiving yards (296), and has found the end zone twice.

“Not only is he electric with the ball in his hands, but he’s electric without the ball in his hands,” senior wide receiver Malik Benson said. “Once people

see that on film, they’ll know he’s not just a pass catcher receiver. He can do it all… and that’s a young guy doing that. If everyone’s doing that, then we’re going to be a scary group to go against.”

Moore has been playing like a veteran, emerging as one of college football’s best freshmen. With seven games left in the regular season and a CFP run on the horizon, Moore will need to maintain his concentration. Playing this many games under this spotlight is not an easy undertaking for an 18-yearold, but it’s the challenge Dakorien will face for the remainder of the season.

(BELOW) Oregon Ducks wide receiver Dakorien Moore (1) catches a pass on the 5 yard line, powering through Oregon State Beavers defensive back Jalil Tucker (22) for a touchdown. The University of Oregon Ducks kicked off against the Oregon State Beavers at 12:01 p.m. at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Ore. on Sept. 20, 2025. (Saj Sundaram/Emerald)

OREGON'S BIGGEST STRENGTHS THIS SEASON

HARRY LEADER Sports Writer

The No. 6 Oregon Ducks took down the No. 3 Penn State Nittany Lions in Pennsylvania on Sept. 27 in a 3024 double overtime thriller. Oregon showed up to Beaver Stadium and proved they were a top-three team, but what has gotten them this far?

THE DEFENSE

Oregon’s win over the Nittany Lions was defense heavy in the first half with both teams only managing to score a field goal apiece, but the Ducks’ defense looked like the better unit. Oregon allowed 69 total yards in the first half and forced three punts as well.

The game was also won by the Oregon defense after junior safety Dillon Thieneman picked off Penn State quarterback Drew Allar to end the game. Thieneman was also a major contributor throughout the game, where he picked up four tackles and one quarterback hurry in the second quarter.

Other key contributors are senior linebacker Bryce Boettcher and redshirt junior defensive tackle Bear Alexander. Boettcher picked up a team-high 12 tackles, more than doubling the next-closest Duck, and assisted a tackle for loss. For his performance, he was named the Burlsworth Player of the Week, given to the best player who began their career as a walk-on.

Alexander was also a major factor in slowing down the

Oregon has been firing on all cylinders to start the season. These are the their biggest strengths driving the success.

Nittany Lions’ star-studded backfield, which put up 297 rushing yards in their previous matchup with the Ducks in the 2024 Big Ten Championship Game but was held to 139 this s eason.

FRESHMEN

This Ducks team is very experienced, but there are also so ma ny young players contributing at a high level. The running back room is very deep this year with redshirt senior Noah Whittington and junior Jayden Limar taking half of the carries, but true freshmen Dierre Hill Jr. and Jordon Davison have exceeded expectations with their share of the rushing duties.

Hill Jr. brings a lot of speed and solid receiving skills to the Oregon backfield. In a deep running back room, his ability to break out in open space makes him a great option for play-action pass plays and outside runs.

Davison brings power to short yardage situations, which can be so valuable for a team with so many running backs. When a team has a player they can look to on hard hitting goal line pushes, they can rest their main backs and play with a high intensity for all four quarters.

“Obviously, (Hill Jr.’s) had some really explosive runs. (Davison’s) been really good in the red area for us, punching in touchdowns. He runs hard. He had some unbelievable blocks on some of those runs for Dierre as well,” Ducks head coach Dan Lanning said at a press conference in September.

One freshman standing above the rest is wide receiver Dakorien Moore. Against Penn State he caught seven passes and led the team in receiving yards with 89 yards. He currently ranks among freshmen as No. 2 in receiving yards nationally and No. 5 in receptions per game.

DANTE MOORE

The biggest takeaway from the Oregon offense was Dante Moore and his decision making. Moore threw for 248 yards on 39 attempts, with only 10 incomplete passes. His ability to read Penn State’s secondary was key in moving the ball upfield and preventing costly turnovers.

Moore also ran for 35 yards on 10 carries, one of which put Oregon on the 8-yard line to set up Davison for a touchdown run the following play. His awareness in the pocket is what separates him from other top quarterbacks and puts him in mid-season contention for the Heisman Trophy.

“I think we have the best quarterback in college football,” Lanning said. “Anybody watch that game? That guy’s composure, his poise… tells you a little bit about that guy.” Moore and the Ducks play No. 8 Indiana on Saturday, Oct. 11 at Autzen Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 12:30 p.m.

(BELOW) Oregon Ducks wide receiver Gary Bryant Jr. (2) and wide receiver Malik Benson (4) jump in the air to celebrate after scoring a touchdown. The University of Oregon Ducks play against the Oklahoma State Cowboys at Autzen Stadium on Sept. 6, 2025. (Saj Sundaram/Emerald)

GABRIEL MAKES FIRST CAREER START, MORE FOR PRO DUCKS IN NFL WEEK 5

The Ducks’ 2024 Heisman Trophy nominee led the way for Oregon alumni with the Cleveland Browns.

BY OWEN MURRAY

Associate Sports Editor

Dillon Gabriel has played more games than anyone in the history of college football and, on Oct. 5, the 2024 Heisman Trophy finalist made his first professional start. Drafted from Oregon in the third round of the 2025 NFL Draft by the Cleveland Browns, Gabriel took over for Joe Flacco before the Browns’ Week 5 trip to face the Minnesota Vikings in London, England.

The Cleveland quarterback room, which includes fifthround rookie Shedeur Sanders and lists Deshaun Watson on injured reserve, was wide-open before the season. After Flacco (who was traded to the Cincinnati Bengals on Oct. 7) opened the year with two touchdown passes and six interceptions through four games, the team announced that Gabriel would start against the Vikings.

“I’m excited for Dillon,” Oregon head coach Dan Lanning said during the Ducks’ bye week. “He’s the guy that works extremely hard, and I know he won’t take it for granted. He’s done an unbelievable job of staying connected with our players here, which is pretty awesome for a guy that’s moving on with the next phase of his life, that he still touches base with our team, but I’m excited for him. I’m excited for his opportunity, and I know he’ll make the absolute best of it.”

On Sunday, Gabriel threw for 190 yards and two touchdowns as Cleveland (1-4) lost, 21-17, to Minnesota (3-2). He located tight ends Harold Fannin Jr. and David Njoku for the two scores and used eight total receivers on 58% efficiency. The Browns, though, couldn’t score after the 3:05 mark in the third quarter and lost on a Jordan Addison touchdown with 25 seconds left.

The 24-year-old averaged 8.9 yards per attempt during his college career, including 9.37 in his year at Oregon, but hit just an average of just 5.8 against the Vikings. He’s now thrown for three touchdowns this season — he connected with fellow rookie Dylan Sampson in a blowout loss to the Baltimore Ravens in Week 2 — and remains an option in Cleveland.

Elsewhere, Bo Nix (24-39, 242 yds, TD) and the Denver Broncos dealt the previously undefeated Philadelphia Eagles their first loss, 21-17. Former Ducks receiver Troy Franklin (3 rec., 35 yds) continued to stake his claim as a threat among the Broncos’ room, and now has 231 yards on 21 receptions this season after totaling only 28 and 263 in 16 games last season.

Deforest Buckner had his first sack of the season to go with six total tackles as the Indianapolis Colts continued their resurgence with a 40-6 beatdown of the Las Vegas Raiders, while Tez Johnson caught four passes for 59 yards in the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ 38-35 win over the Seattle Seahawks. Bucky Irving, the second-year breakout star who leads the Buccaneers in rushing yards (237) and triples the next-closest back in carries, was held out with an injury.

Justin Herbert (22-29, 166 yds, TD, INT, 60 rush ing yds.) was held to just 5.7 yards per attempt and sacked four times as the Los Angeles Chargers fell, 27-10, to the Washington Commanders. Troy Dye led the Chargers in tackles with 11, and had three tackles for loss to lead the game, but the Los Angeles offense didn’t score after the first quarter and gave up 27 unanswered points.

Finally, New England Patriots corner back Christian Gonzalez returned from injury to appear on “Sunday Night Foot ball” against the Buffalo Bills, where he made six tackles and registered a pass de fensed in the 23-20 win.

(RIGHT) Sep 14, 2025; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Dillon Gabriel (8) drops back to pass during the second half against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium.

(Peter Casey/Imagn Images)