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Oregon Guts Out 18-16 Win Over No. 20 Iowa in Kinnick

Max Torres Author Profileby: Max Torres5 hours agomtorressports
Dante Moore
Oregon Ducks quarterback Dante Moore against the Iowa Hawkeyes. (Photo by: © Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images)

The No. 9 Oregon Ducks (7-1, 4-1 Big Ten) entered Saturday’s contest against the No. 20 Iowa Hawkeyes (6-2, 4-1 Big Ten) without three offensive starters in wide receiver Dakorien Moore, tight end Kenyon Sadiq and right tackle Alex Harkey.

It was a slow start to the game as Oregon won the toss and deferred to the second half. Both offenses went three-and-out to start the game, including three straight passes from the Ducks despite rainy conditions in Iowa City.

The Oregon offense was starting to find a rhythm following a 22-yard pass from Dante Moore to wide receiver Gary Bryant Jr., but it came at a cost as the veteran wide receiver, whose time in Eugene has been riddled with injury, was carried off the field with an ankle injury.

The first points of the day came on special teams after an errant snap on an Iowa punt resulted in two points for Oregon. The Ducks led 2-0 as the first quarter wound down and a pair of catches from tight end Jamari Johnson set up a 19-yard rushing touchdown from Dierre Hill Jr.

Iowa’s run-heavy offense lacked a spark for much of the first half until Mark Gronowski connected with Jacob Gill for 38 yards shortly after a fourth-down conversion. The Hawkeyes capped off the drive with a three-yard touchdown pass to tight end DJ Vonnahme.

Oregon’s defense was fairly solid in the first half as Teitum Tuioti and Bryce Boettcher both recorded sacks.

Some dominant runs and a tough catch from Noah Whittington set the Ducks up for a 46-yard field goal from Atticus Sappington and Oregon led 12-7 heading into the locker room at half time.

The third quarter was fairly uneventful as Oregon went three-and-out to open the second half. Outside linebacker Tetium Tuioti went down with what appeared to be an arm/wrist injury but would return to action.

Oregon goes three and out to start second half. Teitum down with an injury. Grabbing his right arm/wrist.

The biggest play of the quarter came with about six minutes to go as true freshman cornerback Brandon Finney Jr. popped the ball loose on a Kaden Wetjen run. Bear Alexander recovered the fumble and the Ducks drove down the field before Moore was tripped up by an offensive lineman while dropping back on third down.

The Ducks were forced to settle for a field goal as Sappington banged through his second of the day from 40 yards out to take a 15-7 lead over Iowa as the third quarter came to a close.

Iowa’s Drew Stevens drilled a 58- yard field goal to make it 15-10.

Oregon got another possession and with the running backs rolling, Will Stein called a quarterback run for Moore on third down. He was short and to add insult to injury a Roger Saleapaga holding call moved the ball back more. Oregon had a shot to convert on third down, but Jeremiah McClellan dropped a pass that hit him in the chest.

Iowa drove the ball down the field and a short quarterback draw from Gronowski and a failed two-point conversion gave Iowa a late 16-15 lead.

Moore and Oregon offense got the ball back with just under two minutes to go and three timeouts. Moore dropped a perfect pass in the bread basket for Benson, who hauled it in for 24 yards to help set up a 39-yard game-winning field goal from Sappington, who finished three-for-three on the day.

Oregon escaped Kinnick Stadium with a 18-16 win to move to 8-1.

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