The top-ranked Oregon Ducks faced their stiffest test of the season on Saturday night, but thanks to some late-game heroics from quarterback Dillon Gabriel, they emerged with a hard-fought 16-13 victory over the gritty Wisconsin Badgers at Camp Randall Stadium.
Trailing 13-6 entering the fourth quarter, the Ducks’ unbeaten season was on the line. But as “Jump Around” blared throughout the stadium, Gabriel and the Oregon offense found new life. Facing a critical fourth-and-nine, the Heisman hopeful scrambled left and threaded a pass through multiple defenders to tight end Terrance Ferguson for a crucial first down.
Three plays later, the Ducks finally reached the end zone, cutting the deficit to 13-12. The Oregon defense then forced a punt, giving Gabriel and company another chance. A methodical drive, highlighted by Gabriel’s eight-yard scramble on third down, set up kicker Atticus Sappington’s go-ahead 24-yard field goal with just over two minutes remaining.
Ducks Survive and Advance
The resilient Ducks, who have now won three games this season after trailing by at least six points in the fourth quarter, are one of just seven teams in the AP Poll era to start 11-0 with three wins by three points or fewer. Head coach Dan Lanning praised his team’s ability to handle adversity.
“We can handle critical moments. We can handle when it’s tough, and at some point, that experience is going to pay off for us. It certainly paid off for us tonight,” Lanning said.
Gabriel’s Grit
Much of the credit for Oregon’s comeback belongs to Gabriel, who finished with 219 passing yards despite facing constant pressure from the Badgers’ defense. His ability to extend plays and make clutch throws when it mattered most proved to be the difference.
“Big plays need to happen in big moments. Winning games are hard, and we have a team that knows how to win. That just speaks volumes about the guys we have,” Gabriel said.
Badgers’ Valiant Effort
For much of the night, it appeared that Wisconsin was on the verge of pulling off a monumental upset. The Badgers’ rushing attack, led by Tawee Walker’s 97 yards, controlled the tempo and kept the high-powered Oregon offense off the field.
Wisconsin led 13-6 entering the final quarter and seemed poised to secure their first win over a No. 1 team since defeating Ohio State in 2010. However, the Badgers’ offense stalled down the stretch, and the defense couldn’t hold off Gabriel and the Ducks when it mattered most.
Path to the Playoff
With the win, Oregon remains in the driver’s seat for a spot in the College Football Playoff. The Ducks have a bye next week before a crucial matchup with Pac-12 rival Washington to close out the regular season. A victory over the Huskies would send Oregon to the conference championship game with a chance to secure the No. 1 overall seed.
While the Ducks’ unbeaten record and comeback victories are impressive, some critics question whether their close calls against lesser opponents could hurt them in the eyes of the playoff committee. However, Lanning remains confident in his team’s ability to handle pressure and believes their experience in tight games will serve them well moving forward.
“It’s hard to win. But we have a team that knows how to win, and that’s going to pay off for us at some point,” Lanning said.
Looking Ahead
As the college football season enters its final stretch, the Oregon Ducks have positioned themselves as a legitimate national title contender. With Gabriel leading the charge and a defense that has shown the ability to make critical stops, Oregon appears to have the ingredients necessary to make a deep playoff run.
However, the road ahead is far from easy. Potential matchups with Ohio State, Georgia, or Alabama loom large, and the Ducks will need to prove they can win convincingly against elite competition. For now, though, Oregon can savor a hard-fought victory over a worthy adversary and continue their march toward a spot in the College Football Playoff.
