Iowa Football Opponent Preview: #6 Oregon Ducks

It’s time for some November football at Kinnick Stadium. That’s been a scary sentence for opponents visiting Iowa City, as the Hawkeyes have pulled off a number of big-time upsets over the years. Kirk Ferentz and Co. will try to add another chapter into that book on Saturday, with the 6th-ranked Oregon Ducks coming to town. A win for Iowa would vault them into the College Football Playoff conversation head into the final three weeks of the regular season.

Head coach Dan Lanning and the Oregon Ducks enter this week with a 7-1 overall record and a 4-1 mark in Big Ten play. Their resume is an interesting one to study. At one point, they had a road win over a top ten Penn State squad, but that has fallen off a cliff, and now, the top win under their belt is a road win over 5-3 Northwestern. Their lone loss came back on October 11th, with #2 Indiana defeating them 30-20 in Eugene. The Ducks are coming in off of a bye week, but last time out, they defeated Wisconsin 21-7, holding the Badgers to 196 yards of total offense.

Last Game: #6 Oregon 21 Wisconsin 7

This will be just the 4th all-time meeting between the Hawkeyes and Ducks, with Oregon winning the last meeting, 40-18, in Eugene back in 1994. Although that historical info means nothing, there is some historical info that does. In the month of November, under Kirk Ferentz, the Hawkeyes are 5-1 against top ten teams. That being said, Iowa has not defeated a ranked opponent since the ’21 season and have lost 11 consecutive games against ranked opponents.

Oregon is currently a 6.5-point favorite (per BetMGM), and it will be just the tenth time in the last 11 years that the Hawkeyes are home underdogs (5-4 ATS). Under Dan Lanning, the Ducks are 16-1 straight up and 12-5 against the spread as a road favorite. The lone loss came at #22 Oregon State (-3) back in ’22 regular season finale. It’s also worth noting that Oregon is 9-0 in the Central/Eastern Time Zone over the past four seasons.

DUCKS OFFENSE

2025 Numbers: 34.9 PPG, 157.9 RUSH, 279.5 PASS, 437.4 TOTAL

Quarterback

Coming into the season, there were many questions regarding UCLA transfer quarterback Dante Moore and if he was going to be able to lead the Oregon offense. As a true freshman for the Bruins, Moore threw nine interceptions in nine games, while he totaled just eight pass attempts as a sophomore. Although it took a couple of seasons and a change of scenery, the former five-star recruit is finally living up to the hype that surrounded him out of high school, leading Oregon to a 7-1 record.

In eight starts, Moore has completed 145-of-203 (71.4%) passes for 1,772 yards and 19 touchdowns to just four interceptions. He has thrown for three or more touchdowns in five games, including a season-high four touchdown passes in a 41-7 win over Oregon State. Dante also tossed for three scores against Montana State, Oklahoma State, Penn State and Rutgers. In the Ducks lone loss to Indiana, Moore completed 21-of-34 (61.8%) passes for 186 yards and one touchdown, but threw two interceptions.

Iowa defensive coordinator Phil Parker has dialed up the blitz more often this season, so it’s worth taking a look at how Moore has favored against pressure. Against the blitz, he has completed 43-of-65 (66.0%) passes for 615 yards and five touchdowns to one interception. Meanwhile, under pressure, he has completed 22-of-38 (57.9%) passes for 332 yards and two touchdowns to one interception.

Running Back

The Ducks have a deep running back room, and much like Iowa, they’ve gotten to use it a bit, with a couple of injuries giving opportunity to others. If everyone is healthy for Saturday against Iowa, it’s possible that four different backs get carries. Their top four rushers have combined for 1.391 yards and 20 touchdowns on 180 carries (7.73 ypc).

Their lead back, junior Noah Whittington, missed a couple of games due to injury, but leads the team, averaging 9.7 touches per game. He has rushed for 433 yards and four touchdowns on 51 carries, while his 8.5 yards per carry leads the Big Ten. He’s ran the ball well the last two weeks, rushing for 125 yards against Rutgers and 97 yards against Wisconsin, including getting 27 total touches. Expect him to get the most touches on Saturday.

The back with a nose for the end zone, true freshman three-star Jordon Davison has rushed for 352 yards and ten touchdowns on 51 carries (6.9 ypc). Davison has really broken out over the last three games against Indiana (59 yds), Rutgers (100 yds) and Wisconsin (102 yds). His ten touchdowns are second-most amongst Big Ten running backs. Davison, along with true freshman four-star Dierre Hill Jr give the Ducks plenty to look forward to in the future. He’s rushed for 357 yards and three touchdowns on 36 carries (9.9 ypc). Hill had a season-high 82 yards on ten carries against Penn State.

Finally, there’s junior Jayden Limar. He’s second in the running back in touches per game (8.3) but has missed the last two games due to injury. Dan Lanning said Limar would be out for a “little bit” prior to the Rutgers game and said it was not a season-ending injury. If he is able to go, Limar has rushed for 248 yards and three touchdowns on 42 carries (5.9 ypc), while he leads all Oregon backs with eight catches for 54 yards (6.8 ypr).

Wide Receiver / Tight End

The Ducks ranks 98th in the country in pass attempts per game (27.9), spreading those targets out to predominately to five pass catchers that have each tallied at least 20 targets this season. Their top five have earned 145-of-208 (69.7%) targets, while their four running backs have taken up just 13.0% of targets.

Oregon’s receiver room is led by five-star freshman Dakorien Moore, who has totaled 28 receptions for 443 yards (15.8 ypr) and three touchdowns. He has four games with 5+ receiving yards, including a season-high seven catches for 89 yards against Penn State. Moore has been a favorite target for Dante Moore, earning 20.7% of the target share. While Moore is the top option for the Ducks, they have a trio of pass catchers around him, which is what makes their passing attack a dangerous one. This first of the trio, former USC transfer Gary Bryant Jr has had a productive season thus far, catching 24 passes on 27 targets for 275 yards (10.2 ypr) and four touchdowns, which is good for second-most on the team.

The other two names to know are Florida State transfer Malik Benson and redshirt freshman Jeremiah McClellan. A two-time transfer, most recently from FSU, Benson has caught 18 passes for 277 yards (15.4 ypr) and three touchdowns but has gotten just nine targets and four catches over the last four games. Meanwhile, the redshirt freshman McClellan has caught 14 passes for 216 yards (15.4 ypr) and a touchdown. He has five catches for 104 yards over the last three games.

Among Big Ten tight ends, Oregon’s Kenyon Sadiq ranks near the top of the Big Ten in production. He has caught 22 passes on 28 targets for 311 yards (14.1 ypr) and five touchdowns. Sadiq ranks first amongst Big Ten tight ends in touchdowns, second in receiving yards and third in catches. The Ducks also have Louisville transfer Jamari Johnson as a secondary target at tight end. He has caught nine passes for 133 yards and one touchdown.

Offensive Line

Through eight games, the Ducks front ranks 1st in the country in pass blocking grade (87.3) and 29th in run blocking (68.7) per Pro Football Focus. The offensive line has given up just 62 pressures on 255 drop backs (24.3%), which ranks 3rd in the Big Ten only trailing Ohio State (20.7%) and Maryland (20.9%). Oregon ranked 9th in the country in rush yards per game (237.0). The Ducks offensive line is led by left guard Emmanuel Pregnon (80.8) who ranks eighth amongst all Big Ten offensive lineman according to Pro Football Focus. Right tackle Alex Harkey (70.5) is 27th, while left tackle Isaiah World (70.3) is 29th and center Iapani Laloulu (69.7) is 32nd in the conference.

DUCKS DEFENSE

2025 Numbers: 19.4 PPG, 130.1 RUSH, 185.9 PASS, 316.1 TOTAL

Defensive Line

The Oregon defensive front has not quite lived up to some of the preseason expectations, ranking 100th in the country in sacks per game (1.62). Just two players on the Ducks defensive line have recorded multiple sacks this season. Against the run, the rank 27th in the country giving up 114.8 yards on the ground per game.

Surprise, surprise, those lone two players that have recorded multiple sacks are the two guys that have combined for 44 of 73 (60.3%) pressures generated by the Ducks front. Junior edge Matayo Uiagalelei (358 snaps) was impressive last season earning First Team All-Big Ten honors, finishing with double-digit sacks (10.5) and tackles for loss (12.5). He leads the Oregon defensive front with 14 tackles, 5.0 tackles for loss, 4.0 sacks and 25 quarterback pressures, which ranks tenth-most in the Big Ten. On the opposite end of the line, it’s junior edge Teitum Tuioti (341 snaps). He has racked up 35 tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks and 19 quarterback pressures. Despite being on the D-Line, Uiagalelei and Tuioti are second and fourth in snaps played on the defense.

On the interior, junior A’Mauri Washington (325 snaps) and former USC transfer Bear Alexander (262 snaps) are going to play the majority of the snaps. They’ve put up decent production at the tackle spot, with Alexander tallying 33 tackles and 5.0 tackles for loss. Meanwhile, Washington has 20 tackles, 3.0 tackles for loss and one sack, as well as eight quarterback pressures and four batted passes.

The other names to know off the edge is sophomore Blake Purchase (194 snaps) and sophomore Ashton Porter (122 snaps). They have combined for 30 tackles and 3.5 tackles for loss. Porter was a four-star recruit out of high school, while Purchase was a three-star prospect. A couple interior names to know are true freshman three-star Tionne Gray (145 snaps) and sophomore Terrance Green (140 snaps). They’ve combined for 23 tackles and 1.5 tackles for loss.

Linebackers

Oregon runs a 4-2-5 defense under coordinator Tosh Lupoi, with senior Bryce Boettcher (349 snaps) spearheading the Ducks unit. A second-year starter, Boettcher tallied a team-best 94 tackles last season and is well on his way to eclipse that this season, averaging 8.0 tackles per game. He has recorded a team-best 64 tackles, including three games with 10+ tackles, while he also has two tackles for loss and one interception.

The Ducks other starter at linebacker, playing the MONEY position, is junior Jerry Mixon (239 snaps). After playing minimal snaps in his first two seasons, Mixon has tallied 23 tackles and two interceptions, including five tackles and an interception against Northwestern. One other name to know at linebacker is junior Devon Jackson (241 snaps). He made a couple of early starts but still has played a large chunk of snaps as a non-starter, tallying 24 tackles, which is good for sixth-most on the team.

Defensive Backs

The Oregon secondary, through eight games, has been very impressive, allowing opponents to complete just 55.7% of passes for 2,603 yards (11.12 ypr) and 15 touchdowns, but rank 4th in the country with 12 interceptions. They’re 92.0 coverage grade ranks 5th in the country per PFF.

At corner, the Ducks top cover man, true freshman four-star Brandon Finney Jr (288 snaps) has been impressive in his first year. In coverage, he’s allowed just three catches on 21 targets for 28 yards (1.3 ypt) and has an interception. The other corner spot is manned by Ify Obidegwu (185 snaps) who has allowed seven catches on 16 targets for 90 yards (5.6 ypt) and one touchdown. At the slot corner spot, Ole Miss transfer Jadon Canady (239 snaps) has allowed ten catches on 21 targets for 63 yards (3.0 ypt). The Ducks three starting corners have held opposing quarterbacks to 50.0% completion and giving up just 3.12 yards per target.

A couple of other names to know at the corner position, Northwestern transfer Theran Johnson (182 snaps) has missed two games and hasn’t quite had the same impact that Oregon hoped for after he put up a Second Team All-Big Ten season a year ago. He’s been good in coverage in the snaps he’s gotten, allowing six catches on 13 targets for 93 yards (7.1 ypt). Then there’s true freshman five-star Na’eem Offord (137 snaps). He has allowed five catches on seven targets for 91 yards (13.0 ypt).

Wrapping up the Oregon defense with the safeties, Purdue transfer Dillon Thieneman (364 snaps) leads the Ducks in snaps played and is the starter at strong safety. A three-year starter in the Big Ten, Thieneman is third on the team with 37 tackles and one interception. In coverage, he has allowed nine catches on 14 targets for 114 yards (8.1 ypt) and two touchdowns. Over at free safety, true freshman four-star Aaron Flowers (325 snaps) is second on team with 38 tackles and one interception. He’s allowed five catches on nine targets for 69 yards (7.7 ypt) and one touchdown. The Ducks roll their safeties down into the box a lot, with Thieneman and Flowers playing 40.5% of 689 snaps in the box.

DUCKS SPECIAL TEAMS

Kicker Atticus Sappington: 14/16 FG, 41/43 PAT, LNG 42

Kicker Andrew Boyle: 2/4 FG, 12/12 PAT, LNG 50

Punter Ross James: 37 punts, 1,682 yards, 45.5 AVG, 7 In20, LNG 69

Kick Returner Noah Whittington: 8 returns, 232 yards, 29.0 AVG, LNG 100

Punt Returner Tez Johnson: 13 returns, 155 yards, 11.9 AVG, LNG 85

FINAL THOUGHT

What an opportunity for the Iowa Football team. Think back to about a month ago when the Hawkeyes were 3-2 going into their first bye week. Fans were asking if they’d even make a bowl game, but here they are at 6-2, with a chance to bust into the College Football Playoff discussion. The big key in this game will be Iowa’s ability to extend drives and move the ball down the field via the passing game. Iowa managed to beat Penn State with just 68 passing yards, but it’s hard to imagine a scenario where Gronowski rushes for 130 yards again. The big factor at play here is the Hawkeyes success in November. Since the ’19 season, they are 21-3 in November, while Kirk Ferentz is 5-1 against top ten teams in November at Kinnick Stadium.