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GAME RECAP - Oregon Outlasts USC, 42-27

by: Ted Leroux28 minutes ago
Kenyon Sadiq
Oregon Ducks tight end Kenyon Sadiq against the USC Trojans. (Photo by: Max Unkrich/ScoopDuckOn3)

This is what a West Coast War is all about, and Oregon proved they continue to be the premiere program in the Pacific Time Zone.

USC opened the game strong against the Ducks’ defense, converting three third downs on the opening drive. The Trojans marched 75 yards on 11 plays and capped the drive with an 8-yard touchdown pass from Jayden Maiava to Makai Lemon—Oregon’s first allowed touchdown on an opening drive all season.

The Ducks responded in a big way on the ensuing possession, averaging more than 10 yards per play. Dante Moore connected on a pair of passes of 20 yards or more, and the drive finished on the ground with touchdown machine Jordon Davison powering in from 11 yards out to tie the game at 7.

Oregon kept the momentum going after a USC three-and-out, engineering another touchdown drive capped by a Kenyon Sadiq score to give the Ducks their first lead of the afternoon, 14–7, at the end of the first quarter.

When the second quarter began, the offensive fireworks continued—though in a more unconventional fashion. After a 40-yard connection from Maiava to Tanook Hines, Lincoln Riley dipped into the playbook for some creativity, with Makai Lemon showing off his arm by firing a 24-yard strike to Hines for the touchdown, tying the game at 14 apiece.

The Trojans found an unconventional way to score—and the Ducks answered with one of their own. For the first time since last season’s early match-up against Boise State, Oregon’s return game provided a spark as Malik Benson ripped off an 85-yard punt return for a touchdown, putting the Ducks back in front, 21–14.

Early on, getting off the field on third down was a challenge for the Oregon defense. But a timely third-down interception by Ify Obidegwu shifted momentum and set the Ducks up with a chance to extend their lead. Despite a flurry of penalties, Oregon capitalized, taking a 28–14 advantage into the locker room after a 1-yard touchdown plunge by Bryce Boettcher—a moment the Eugene native will surely never forget in his final scheduled game at Autzen Stadium.

The second half began a bit slow for both sides, as the Ducks failed to convert on a fourth down during their opening drive and the teams traded interceptions shortly after. USC then capitalized on a 4th-and-2 conversion by Jayden Maiava, which set up Makai Lemon’s first receiving touchdown of the day and brought the Trojans back within one score.

Oregon opened its next drive by reestablishing the run game, calling runs on five of the first six plays for 37 yards. But once again, Kenyon Sadiq proved to be Dante Moore’s go-to target, hauling in a 24-yard touchdown on third down to restore the Ducks’ two-possession cushion, but it wouldn’t last long. The Trojans kept fighting back. Early in the 4th quarter, two pass interference penalties, set the Cardinal & Gold up in the red zone to take advantage for Maiava to pitch his third touchdown pass of the day, this time to tight end Lake McCree to bring the score to 35-27 after a failed two-point conversion.

Throughout the game Oregon was always one step ahead of the Trojans, and the fourth quarter was no exception. The Ducks ran a balanced drive in the middle of the final frame, powering their way to another two score lead on the back of a 9-yard touchdown run from Noah Whittington, sealing the Ducks fourth straight win over USC.

Senior Day is always special, but the scheduled Autzen Stadium finales for Noah Whittington and Bryce Boettcher carried extra meaning thanks to their standout performances. Boettcher was everywhere defensively, recording a team-high 13 tackles and adding a rushing touchdown. Whittington led the Ducks on the ground with 19 carries for 104 yards and a score, helping power a rushing attack that totaled 179 yards on the day.

One rivalry win down, one to go for the Ducks.

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