The Oregon Ducks picked up their seventh win of the season on Saturday at Autzen Stadium with a 21-7 victory over the Wisconsin Badgers but it’s safe to say offense didn’t play up to standard.
The constant rain and the injury to quarterback Dante Moore certainly played a role in Oregon’s below-average performance, but offensive coordinator Will Stein’s unit still ended up generating multiple big plays on the ground, something that has become a theme this season.
Even if Moore does end up missing some time, Oregon’s running backs have shown off some explosiveness that is statistically unmatched across the rest of college football, which could give quarterback Brock Thomas something to lean on if he is thrust into the starting role.
Oregon running backs Jordon Davison, left and Dierre Hill Jr. warm up as the Oregon Ducks host the Wisconsin Badgers on Oct. 25, 2025, at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Oregon. / Ben Lonergan/The Register-Guard / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
According to Rob Moseley of GoDucks.com, Oregon leads college football this season with 24 runs of 20+ yards. This included four explosive runs in the win over Wisconsin, as the running back room all took turns getting their chance at gashing the Badgers’ defense.
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All four primary running backs — Noah Whittington, Jordon Davison, Dierre Hill Jr. and Jayden Limar — have had at least one run of 50+ yards this season. Searching for explosive? Look no further.
The Ducks have had a committee approach at running back this season but it clearly hasn’t impacted that group’s statistical output. If anything, it’s led to an increase in production, as Oregon is on pace to top its rushing total from last season when Jordan James operated as the primary ball carrier en route to a 1,000-yard season.
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Oregon coach Dan Lanning has had a 1,000-yard rusher each season since arriving to Eugene, though that’s likely to end this year. Still, there’s one name that has set himself apart this season for running backs coach Ra’Shaad Samples.
Oregon Ducks running back Jordon Davison reacts after defeating the Penn State Nittany Lions at Beaver Stadium. / Matthew O’Haren-Imagn Images
Whittington is Oregon’s leader rusher (433) headed into the second bye week, but he is tied with the true freshman Davison in carries (51). Still, it’s Davison who leads the team with 10 rushing touchdowns, adding two more against the Badgers.
Davison arrived to Eugene as a four-star recruit and has looked every bit the part. He’s posted 51 carries for 352 yards and 10 touchdowns this season.
His production on long runs might come as a surprise to college football fans, but Davison saw it coming from himself based on what he’s been doing in practice.
“Whole time I knew I could do it,” Davison said. “It’s happened a couple times in practice, so I feel like everybody on the team wasn’t surprised. Like I knew I could do it. I’m confident in myself, and I know my capability as a player.”
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Oregon Ducks running back Dierre Hill Jr. carries the ball against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights during the second half at SHI Stadium. / Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
He has built a nice chemistry with Hill Jr., who has tallied 36 carries for 357 yards and three touchdowns this season.
“It’s kind of crazy, because coming in, they was like, who do I want to play with? And we was like watching each other’s film, and it was a couple backs, and I actually chose Dierre,” Davison said. “And his film stuck out to me. And then we was connecting before we got here, and then as soon as we got here, it just clicked, like, that’s my right-hand man. People probably think like, it’s just on the field, but we together every day, off the field, all the time.”
After the bye, the Oregon running backs will get another chance to show off their explosiveness when the Ducks visit the Iowa Hawkeyes.
Heading into the bye week, the Iowa Hawkeyes look better at their current juncture than they have all season, especially considering their worrying 3-2 start and the flurry of negative media attention that came their way after that second loss.
At 6-2 (4-1 in the B1G), the black and gold have dwindled the (previously much larger) tie for fourth place in the conference down to just themselves and the Michigan Wolverines. Of the two teams, Iowa appears to face a more favorable immediate outlook in the way of opportunities to break that tie and, in time, move into pedestal position in the conference.
Much of the Hawkeyes’ eventual fate hinges on their incoming, post-bye matchup with the sixth-ranked Oregon Ducks. Much like their previous ranked duel this season against the now-second-ranked Indiana Hoosiers, the battle against the Ducks will be held in Iowa City in front of one of the nation’s most persistently loud, present fanbases.
Chalk it up to good luck, smart scheduling or both; whichever way you spin it, Iowa’s current favorable outlook is only amplified by the extended stretch of home games in which they currently operate.
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To boot, Oregon’s trip in to town is shaping up to be as influential on the wider B1G slate, if not more so, than the team’s aforementioned loss to Indiana. Unfortunately for excited fans, though, no official time or televised designation has yet been set.
Iowa Hawkeyes defensive back Zach Lutmer (6) / Julia Hansen/Iowa City Press-Citizen / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
While the game was anticipated by many to take Big Noon Kickoff priority, the conference announced at the beginning of this week that their final decision regarding kickoff time and television partner will be put on a six-day hold.
It may seem like a small issue, but for an Iowa team that has spent much of this season vying for national relevancy — somehow, an AP ranking still eludes them — the bigger the stage for a potential upset win, the better.
Especially on the heels of their retrospectively season-defining home victory over the Minnesota Golden Gophers in a 41-3 rout, the Hawkeyes argument for league-wide attention hasn’t been so convincing since their B1G championship appearance back in 2023.
That game was a loss, and this one could be, too; but either way, it’d be beneficial for this Iowa team to sit under the heat of the national spotlight if they truly wish to live up to their “College Football Playoff dark horse” title.
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The Oregon Ducks are 7-1, going 4-1 in the Big Ten conference, following a win against the Wisconsin Badgers. The Ducks are heading into a bye week, and will have four games remaining when they return.
With the Ducks’ remaining schedule, Oregon will have to keep up the momentum after the bye to ensure a College Football Playoff appearance.
Oct 25, 2025; Eugene, Oregon, USA; Oregon Ducks head coach Dan Lanning encourages players during warm ups before a game against the Wisconsin Badgers at Autzen Stadium. The Ducks are wearing uniforms celebrating the Grateful Dead. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images / Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images
Iowa Hawkeyes (6-2)
After the bye, the Ducks will travel to Kinnick Stadium to face the Iowa Hawkeyes. Iowa holds a 6-2 record, currently on a three-game win streak. One of the Hawkeyes’ losses was against the No. 2 Indiana Hoosiers, and Iowa kept it close.
Last time Oregon had a bye, they suffered their first loss of the season, and how the Ducks perform after rest will be something to watch for once again. The Hawkeyes will also be coming off a bye week, giving both teams an equal amount of rest before the matchup.
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Oregon head coach Dan Lanning speaks during the coaches press conference in Los Angeles Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2024, ahead of the Rose Bowl. / Ben Lonergan/The Register-Guard / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Minnesota Golden Gophers (5-3)
On Nov. 14, the Ducks will face the Minnesota Golden Gophers. While this may be the easiest remaining opponent on paper, Minnesota has a 5-3 record and has had some big wins this season. The Golden Gophers were able to take down the Nebraska Cornhuskers and should not be counted out.
The positive side for the Ducks is that the matchup will be at Autzen Stadium, giving Oregon the help from their home crowd. Oregon’s defense has a chance to make another statement, but the offense will have to get back to the explosiveness they have shown in the past.
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USC Trojans (5-2)
Oct 28, 2023; Berkeley, California, USA; USC Trojans head coach Lincoln Riley walks on the field before a game against the California Golden Bears at California Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images / Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images
The No. 23 USC Trojans have had an up-and-down season, but still hold a 5-2 record heading into week 10 of the college football season. The Trojans have had some big wins, but USC’s defense has struggled to stop the run, which is something the Ducks can take advantage of.
USC has a talented group of offensive weapons, and Oregon’s defense will face a tough test. The Ducks’ defense will have to show up defending both the pass and the run, as USC may be the toughest offensive opponent remaining on Oregon’s schedule. The matchup will be Oregon’s final home game of the season, creating a tough atmosphere for the Trojans.
Washington Huskies (6-2)
The Washington Huskies have been one of the most underrated teams in college football. While they have two losses, the Huskies have also pulled off some big wins, such as defeating then-No. 23 Illinois, 42-25.
Although Oregon may be the favorite entering the game, the matchup will take place in Washington to close out the regular season. With the Huskies’ success, Oregon will have to play hard, as it could end up determining the program’s fate for a CFP appearance.
Sep 20, 2025; Eugene, Oregon, USA; Oregon Ducks quarterback Dante Moore (5) warms up before the game against the Oregon State Beavers at Autzen Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images / Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images
While the weather did impact the matchup against Wisconsin, Oregon quarterback Dante Moore did exit the game with an injury. The good news for Ducks’ fans is that Oregon coach Dan Lanning provided a positive update on Moore’s status after the game.
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“I think we could have pushed to get him back in, but he’s good, he got a bloody nose. He got hit pretty good, and he looks like he’s in great shape now,” Lanning said.
Moore will get some extra rest through the bye, and the Ducks’ quarterback should be good to go to finish out the season. Moore will have a big test ahead with Oregon’s schedule, but he will also have the chance to prove he can lead the program to success against challenging opponents.
