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Oregon

ScoopDuck Roundtable: Keys to the Game

On3 imageby: Justin Hopkins10/16/25
Jordon Davison
The University of Oregon Ducks Football team played the Indiana University Hoosiers in a home game at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Ore., on Oct. 11, 2025. (Eric Becker/ericbeckerphoto.com)

Your next roundtable this week talks about the keys to the game for Oregon vs Rutgers. There are a lot of ways this game could go with Oregon needing to find a way to win with confidence.

It looks like we are all leaning into the lessons of the Indiana loss this week hoping the Ducks get back on track in New Jersey this weekend.

Here are the ScoopDuck keys to the game.

Brandon Gibson: Run the Ball

Run the damn ball. Oregon’s offense is most effective when they establish the run game and start to take advantage of play action and the ability of Dante Moore when he is comfortable. The defense was good enough to win last week and I expect them to play a solid game against Rutgers. Most importantly, the Ducks just need to get another win on the sheet and not lose sight of the end goal, making the playoffs and continuing to grow as a team. With the amazing play of the first five games, some felt that Oregon had arrived, but this is still a really young team that has a ton of potential that still hasn’t been met.

Max Torres: Feed the Studs

The defense wasn’t the reason Oregon lost against Indiana. Oregon’s offense only mustered 13 points at home and couldn’t find a rhythm. When the Ducks needed a spark, they didn’t get it. Dakorien Moore, Kenyon Sadiq and Dierre Hill Jr. all had quiet days. Get your best guys the ball and unleash them. There’s too much talent for this offense to have a repeat performance of what we saw last week. 

Corpatty: Don’t Lose to Indiana Twice

I’ve already stated that I’m expecting a hangover from the Indiana loss.  How quickly Oregon can shake that hangover off will be the key to the game.  They can’t let it last most of the game and essentially allow Indiana to beat them twice.  

Jhop: Get Started Early

I’ve already talked about Oregon needing to stick to the run more and feeding the studs this week. Now in this game they need to do those things but I think this game goes one of two ways. Oregon gets going from the first whistle and never looks back. Or they are sluggish and allow Rutgers to stay in the game because they never get going. Let’s hope for the former, not the latter.






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