DUCKS still quack: oregon vs boise state game recap pt 2

The Oregon Ducks headed into the 2026 season with high hopes in bringing the first National Championship to Eugene. Quarterback Dante Moore returned for another season after being the projected number 2 overall pick in the NFL Draft.

Whether this was because of his NIL deal at Oregon or because he simply did not want to play for the Jets is unknown, but either way, the Ducks are happy to have him back. On Saturday, the Ducks faced the Boise State Broncos in a rematch of a cinematic game from 2024 where Boise State Running Back Ashton Jeanty totaled 200 total yards and 3 touchdowns in a 37-34 loss. 

This Saturday, Oregon narrowly escaped Boise State once again, winning 34-27, after trailing 17-7 late in the second quarter. Boise State struck first on an 11 play, 75 yard touchdown drive on a pass from Quarterback Maddux Madsen to Wide Receiver Cam Bates. The Bronco defense stood strong the rest of the quarter with Oregon drives ending in a turnover on downs and a punt. Boise State would end the first quarter with a 7-0 lead.

Oregon then tied it up early in the second quarter on a 1-yard touchdown run from Running Back Jordon Davison after a big drive from Dante Moore and Wide Receiver Jeremiah McClellan. After a muffed punt from Oregon Wide Receiver Evan Stewart, Boise State scored in one play on a 38-yard touchdown pass to Running Back Sire Gaines. Oregon, once again, turned the ball over on downs after failing a 4th & 1 from the Boise State 47-yard line. 

Boise State then expanded their lead further off a 29-yard field goal from Canaan Moore. The short field goal was set up by an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty from Oregon Safety Peyton Woodyard. The Ducks would receive the ball back with 2:48 in the half, and despite punting on this possession, they would force a three-and-out and start their final drive of the half in Boise State territory with 1:02 on the clock. A 27-yard receiving touchdown from Tight End Jamari Johnson would help narrow the gap for the Ducks heading into the half. It was 17-14 Boise State at halftime following Moore's strike to Johnson.

Oregon would quickly tie up the game with a 26-yard field goal with help from a 39-yard pass from Dante Moore to Evan Stewart. The Ducks would then force a punt and take the lead on a 6 play, 87-yard touchdown drive. On the first play of the possession, Jordon Davison had a 40-yard run that set the Ducks up in Boise State territory. Three big passes from Dante Moore led to the touchdown for Oregon. First, a 22-yard pass to Jamari Johnson, then a 17-yard pass to Evan Stewart, and a 8-yard touchdown pass to Jeremiah McClellan to cap it off. 

However, Boise State would continue to fight, despite giving up the lead. A 75-yard drive, ending in a 7-yard touchdown pass from Maddux Madsen to Tight End Matt Wagner would tie the game. Madsen also connected with Wide Receiver Rasean Jones on this drive for a 22-yard pass. Jones would finish the game with 76 yards off 4 receptions. 

A 51-yard pass to Jeremiah McClellan would set up another field goal for the Ducks, this time a 44-yarder. Boise State, once again showing grit, responded with a field goal of their own. This was a long, competitive, 11-play drive, but one that was helped out by two Oregon penalties. With 7:51 left in the 4th quarter, the Ducks would break the game open with a 62-yard touchdown pass to Wide Receiver Dakorien Moore. From there, the Broncos were out of gas. They had a 3 play, 0-yard drive, were able to force an Oregon punt, but a turnover on downs from Boise State would ultimately seal the game – a drive that ended in 4 straight incompletions.

For Boise State, they showed that they have the squad needed in order to earn the Group of 6 bid into the College Football Playoff. This could not be done without Head Coach Spencer Danielson, who has led the Broncos to three Mountain West Championships in his first three seasons as the head coach. He holds a 24-9 record, six of the losses coming against Oregon, Notre Dame, or in the postseason. Huge props to Coach Danielson for preparing his team to compete against a team that many believe could win the National Championship. The Broncos have experience with Maddux Madsen (181 yards, 3 touchdowns) at the helm, who has totaled 6,767 yards in his career with Boise State. Dylan Riley and Sire Gaines, both running backs, return for another year, coming off a combined 1,936 rushing yard season. It was difficult for Coach Danielson’s squad to establish the run vs arguably the best defensive line in the sport, but we can expect them to run the ball all over teams for the remainder of the regular season. Defensive Back Travis Anderson starred on the defensive side of the ball with 11 tackles and 0.5 tackles for a loss. Linebacker Bol Bol also had a sack for the Broncos. 

After this strong Week 1 performance, we can certainly expect Boise State to find their way back into the College Football Playoff for another season. The Broncos host Memphis this upcoming Saturday, another team that many view as a College Football Playoff contender. Boise State also plays on the road at Western Michigan and Washington State, likely their two next most difficult games. Boise State is currently +350 to make the College Football Playoff on DraftKings, the highest amongst all Group of 6 teams (closest is North Dakota State at +750).

For Oregon, there is no reason to panic. The Ducks struggled in 2024 to start the year, only beating FCS opponent Idaho, by 10 points, and as stated before, beating Boise State by 3 points. The Ducks claimed the number one seed that season, which ended in a blowout loss to the National Champion Ohio State Buckeyes. Last season, Oregon also had an unfortunate draw, losing to the National Champion Indiana Hoosiers in a blowout, after beating James Madison and Texas Tech. 

As expected, Dante Moore has all the weapons necessary to win the Heisman Award. Dante Moore threw for 378 yards and 3 touchdowns on 28/37 passing. Four Oregon pass catchers had 50+ receiving yards: Jeremiah McClellan (6 receptions, 150 yards, 1 touchdown), Dakorien Moore (6 receptions, 93 yards, 1 touchdown), Evan Stewart (8 receptions, 72 yards) and Jamari Johnson (4 receptions, 57 yards, 1 touchdown). It was great to see Evan Stewart back out on the field, who missed all of his 2025 campaign with an injury. Dakorien Moore gave Duck fans a scare in the 4th quarter when he hit his head hard on the turf, but it seems as if he should be good to go next week when the Ducks travel to Oklahoma State. Running Back Jordon Davison ran for 90 yards on Saturday, averaging 7.5 yards per carry. If this Oregon offense can have a dangerous rushing attack, in addition to their elite passing game, there is no doubt that they can have the most explosive offense in the country. 

On the defensive side of the ball, Minnesota transfer Koi Perich starred in his debut with Oregon, totaling 11 tackles. Star Linebacker Matayo Uiagalelei also tallied 8 tackles and a sack vs Boise State. Bear Alexander, the ex-USC Trojan and Georgia Bulldog, also had a sack in his season debut.

The hype in Eugene this offseason was massive, and it should continue to be. The Ducks will be challenged on the road at USC and Ohio State this season, but there is no reason that a close Week 1 game vs a great team should be of any concern for Oregon fans. The Ducks dropped four spots in today’s AP Poll, but this is just a product of recency bias. The Ducks will be just fine, and look to impress next week when they take on the new-look Oklahoma State Cowboys and Drew Mestemaker, who surprisingly dropped their Week 1 game to Tulsa 24-10.