Oregon survives Boise State: Ducks' second-half surge just enough to keep upset-minded Broncos at bay

Besides a stacked passing game, Oregon's trenches were regarded as perhaps the best strength of the team. There were multiple defensive linemen and edge rushers vying for All-America status, led by the defensive tackle combo of Bear Alexander and A'Mauri Washington. In Week 1, they just couldn't finish. 

Outside of a 40-yard breakaway from running back Jordan Davison, Oregon averaged only 3.3 yards per carry as a team. The Ducks recorded only three sacks, despite Maddux Madsen holding the ball for extended periods. 

Oregon has struggled in the trenches against elite competition under Lanning, including in both playoff losses over the last two seasons. This was the group that was supposed to break through. There's still time, but early returns are underwhelming. 

Two years ago, Boise State went on the road and nearly stunned Oregon at Autzen Stadium. They again came just short, but the Broncos proved again that they're the class of the Group of Six. 

Boise State competed at every level of the field, from trenches to quarterback to defensive back. They got Oregon's elite receivers to the ground and made high-leverage plays to keep themselves in the game against one of the most talented teams in the country. 

The Broncos have a tough game against Memphis next week, but the performance was impressive enough to take control of the Group of Six's playoff race. And furthermore, the strong performance is great news for the new look Pac-12; having a standard bearer means a lot.

Oregon did plenty right. The Ducks reached nearly 500 yards of offense and got 388 yards from their talented receiver group. But while the production was good, Oregon was horrendous at situational football. 

The Ducks went 0-for-3 on fourth down and committed 10 costly penalties. They struggled to break tackles and make plays in space against a physical Boise State team. Even their star-studded defensive line was bullied for stretches in key spots. 

Oregon is still a national contender and the No. 2 most talented team in the country, per the 247Sports Talent Composite. This kind of performance is just not good enough. 

FINAL: No. 2 Oregon 34, Boise State 27

No. 2 Oregon survived a tight upset bid against Boise State with a 34-27 win in Week 1. Ducks receiver Dakorien Moore broke off a 62-yard touchdown late in the fourth quarter for the go-ahead touchdown, breaking a close game wide open. 

Boise State jumped out to an early 17-7 lead after a pair of touchdown passes from quarterback Maddux Madsen and held the ball heading into the two-minute timeout. However, Oregon was able to get the ball back and score quickly and score again out of the half, ultimately setting up their first lead. 

But despite the Oregon charge, Boise State would not quit. Dante Moore and Madsen traded touchdown passes, and both teams recorded a field goal. However, it was the explosive Dakorien Moore touchdown that proved the difference in a one-score loss. 

Dante Moore threw for 388 yards and three touchdowns as the Ducks tried to blitz Boise State in the passing game. Three different receivers posted at least 82 yards, including 150 yards and a touchdown from Jeremiah McClellan. Madsen posted 181 yards and three touchdowns in the loss. Oregon linebacker Teitum Tuioti added two tackles for loss and a sack. 

Oregon wide receiver Dakorien Moore needed help leaving the field after appearing to hit his head on the turf. The sophomore wide receiver posted six catches for 93 yards and a breakaway go-ahead touchdown in the fourth quarter. After the play, Oregon allowed its first sack of the game and was forced to punt, giving Boise State one final opportunity to tie the game. 

4Q: Oregon 34, Boise State 27

Sophomore wide receiver Dakorien Moore was limited by blanketed coverage, but it took only one play for him to flip the game. Moore took a pass 62 yards and swung the game with a touchdown. 

4Q: Oregon 27, Boise State 27

Once again in the biggest moments, Oregon committed a silly penalty. The Ducks committed a pass interference to help set up yet another physical Boise State drive to set up a 36-yard field goal. Every time that Oregon has thrown a punch, Boise State has responded. 

4Q: Oregon 27, Boise State 24

Oregon managed to get a 43-yard field goal on the board, but fans were left frustrated after a well-thrown double pass by Evan Stewart was mishandled by a slipping Jeremiah McClellan. 

End 3Q: Boise State 24, Oregon 24

Boise State is on the cusp of pulling a monumental upset as they remain tied 24-24 against No. 2 Oregon. After giving up 17 unanswered points, the Broncos drove down the field and scored on a critical fourth down conversion to tie the game. 

Broncos quarterback Maddux Madsen has been poised and accurate, throwing for three touchdowns and running for a few key conversions. The Broncos have been spread all over the field with four different players posting at least 27 rushing or receiving yards. The defense has done a great job getting receivers on the ground and preventing yards after the catch. 

Oregon's offense picked up in the second half as quarterback Dante Moore cleared the 300-yard plateau. Wide receiver Jeremiah McClellan has been a game breaker, posted 150 yards and a touchdown to break the game open. But still, despite nearly doubling Boise State in yardage, Oregon has proven unable to pull away. 

The Ducks have the ball driving deep into Boise State territory entering the fourth quarter. 

Late 3Q: Boise State 24, Oregon 24

Oregon drove down the field with ease to take their first lead of the game, but Boise State has not been fazed. Instead, quarterback Maddux Madsen put the team on his back. Madsen completed passes of 22 and 13 yards, and later drive a 15-yard pass interference to get into the red zone. 

After an excellent pass to the corner of the end zone was bobbled, Madsen simply went back again and connected with Matt Wagner for a physical touchdown pass. 

3Q: Oregon 24, Boise State 17

Oregon receiver Jeremiah McClellan has been the best receiver on the field all day, and he finally finished a touchdown drive to gives the Ducks their first lead of the game. McClellan took a screen pass through traffic and just reached the end zone after a review. McClellan is up to five catches for 99 yards. 

Oregon has desperately needed chunk plays, and running back Jordan Davison was happy to deliver. Davison broke off a 40-yard rush to flip the field and get out of the shadow of Oregon's own end zone. The Ducks could take the lead with a finished drive. 

3Q: Oregon 17, Boise State 17

Boise State's defense stiffened up in the red zone, but a field goal still marks one of the best Oregon drives of the day. The Ducks went 67 yards into the Boise State 10-yard line, and again resets this game in the third quarter. A 10-point swing during the Middle Eight is often a critical key in close games. 

Oregon had another miscue, a false start, but wide receiver Evan Stewart finally made his reintroduction for the Ducks. Stewart caught a 39-yard pass over the middle to flip the field on second down. A drawn pass interference on what would have been an interception keeps the ball moving. Oregon's poised to take the lead for the first time. 

HALF: Boise State 17, Oregon 14

Boise State leads No. 2 Oregon 17-7 at halftime after a strong performance by the Broncos. But while Boise State remains ahead, the Ducks have quickly changed momentum after a brilliant sequence to end the first half. 

Boise State had a shot to perhaps go into halftime with a two-score lead, but two incompletions prevented the clock from running. Instead, Oregon got the ball back, and Dante Moore launched a 27-yard touchdown pass to tight end Jamari Johnson to pull the game within one score. 

Oregon outgained the Broncos in the first half, but miscues have cost them heavily. The Ducks have failed twice on fourth-down conversions and committed four costly penalties. A muffed punt helped deliver points for the Broncos, and the stacked receiving corps has proven unable to separate. 

Outside of a lengthy play by Jeremiah McClellan, Boise State has done an exceptional job of preventing yards after the catch. The Broncos have also recorded three tackles for loss to stifle Oregon's offense. Oregon quarterback Dante Moore completed 17 of 22 passes for 136 yards in the first half. 

Oregon will get the ball to start the second half. 

2Q: Boise State 17, Oregon 7

After a second turnover on downs by Oregon, Boise State once again stood up to the moment. The Broncos drew both an offsides and unsportsmanlike conduct to drive down the field with ease and set up a 29-yard field goal. Now, Boise State's lead is pushed out to two scores and Oregon just hasn't been able to find any consistency punching back. 

Oregon is playing undisciplined football and it's starting to cost them. First, they were called for an offsides after getting pulled on 4th-and-6, keeping Boise State's drive alive. Another defender was called for unsportsmanlike conduct after pushing a Boise State player's facemask, getting Boise State back into field goal range again. Oregon still has time, but Boise State has been the better team. 

2Q: Boise State 14, Oregon 7

Oregon punt returner Evan Stewart missed the entire 2025 season with an injury, and he looks awfully rusty. After fair catching at the three-yard line to start, Stewart muffed a punt that was recovered by Boise State. 

One play later, Boise State running back Sire Gaines took a short pass 38 yards for a touchdown. Boise State is back in control of this game. We have a situation in Eugene. 

2Q: Oregon 7, Boise State 7

The Ducks finally got on the board after the defense helped land great field position after a sack by Teitum Tuioti. Dante Moore completed multiple passes to receiver Jeremiah McClellalan, who has been the Ducks' best offensive playmaker on the day, and Jordon Davison punched it in for a score. Oregon's running game has only mustered 2.9 yards per carry, but the game is now reset. 

End 1Q: Boise State 7, Oregon 0

No. 2 Oregon is down early against Boise State after an inconsistent start. The Ducks allowed a long touchdown drive to open the game behind a strong effort from quarterback Maddux Madsen, and they have struggled to find consistency offensively. Oregon has only one carry for 2 yards and was turned over on downs. 

Oregon quarterback Dante Moore has completed 7 of 9 passes, including a 50-yard bomb to Jeremiah McClellan. However, Oregon is 0-for-3 on third down as Boise State has held up strong. The Ducks will get the ball to start the second half with great field position. 

Boise State's incredible energy kept up on defense. After getting on the board early, the Broncos held Oregon to only 19 yards on their first drive. On fourth down, JeRico Washington went head-to-head with former five-star receiver Evan Stewart and got him to the ground for a turnover on downs. Boise State has been the m ore balanced and more physical team. 

1Q: Boise State 7, Oregon 0

Boise State came to play! Quarterback Maddux Madsen kept plays alive with both his arm and legs to lead a 12-play drive down the field through the heart of Oregon's defense. He finished things off with a nifty touchdown pass to the corner of the end zone and Boise State has its first lead of the game. This was exactly the kind of start that the Broncos needed to build confidence. 

Oregon won the toss and will defer, giving Boise State a critical first opportunity against the Ducks' stacked defense. The Broncos were able to notch a field goal drive their last first drive in Autzen Stadium, and it helped set the tone. 

The last time these two teams met, it was a highly competitive affair. But while Boise State is a popular pick to make the playoff, this is the best Oregon team in history. The Ducks will lean on their stacked defensive front to cause major issues and hit just enough shots in the passing game to cover a big line. Pick: Oregon -24.5 

Boise State is the prohibitive favorite to make the College Football Playoff from the Group of Six after winning a third straight Mountain West title last season. The Broncos have competitive depth all over the field and a handful of big-time talents that could play at the next level. 

As a 24-point road underdog against a loaded Ducks team, the Broncos' viability will be assessed on more than whether they merely win or lose. Even if they don't pull a monumental upset, how they look will play a significant role in shaping the early-season discourse about which Group of Six program will earn an automatic CFP bid in 2026.

What Boise State must show against Oregon to maintain Group of Six CFP favorite status

David Cobb

Over the past three years, the national championship has been won by programs that retained at an elite level, developed major playmakers and boasted numerous seniors. All the stars are aligning for Oregon heading into the season. 

Quarterback Dante Moore would have been the No. 2 pick in the NFL Draft had he declared, but he instead decided to try and lead the program to a national championship. Wide receiver Evan Stewart, defensive tackle A'Mauri Washington and edge rusher Matayo Uiagalelei also opted to return. This is a culminating moment for the last 25 years of Oregon football. 

With the best roster in Oregon history, it could be a title-or-bust season for Dan Lanning, Ducks

Shehan Jeyarajah