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Oregon

Hoosiers Dismantle Ducks, 30-20

by: Ted Leroux10/11/25
Dante Moore
Oregon Ducks quarterback Dante Moore runs against the Indiana Hoosiers. (Photo by: Eric Becker/ScoopDuckOn3)

From the very first play of the game — when Dante Moore was sacked for just the second time this season — it was clear that the Ducks had a physical battle on their hands.

After a turnover on downs in the first quarter, where Jordon Davison was stuffed on 4th-and-1 for the first time this season, Indiana capitalized with a 42-yard field goal to take an early 3-0 lead. Both offenses then traded punts before Oregon tapped into some old-school Chip Kelly-era tempo. The Ducks got on the board when Dante Moore connected with Malik Benson for a 44-yard touchdown, giving Oregon a 7-3 advantage.

Indiana didn’t back down, which was a theme for the day. On the ensuing drive, the Hoosiers ripped off five plays of 10 yards or more, marching 75 yards in nine plays. Roman Hemby capped the drive with a 3-yard touchdown run, putting the Cream and Crimson back on top, 10-7.

On Oregon’s ensuing drive, Jordon Davison broke off a 26-yard run — part of his 59 rushing yards on the day — but two costly penalties stalled the momentum. The Ducks ultimately settled for a 40-yard field goal by Atticus Sappington, tying the game at 10 apiece.

Oregon’s final drive of the first half was highly efficient, featuring back-to-back 18-yard completions to Gary Bryant Jr. and Dakorien Moore. The Ducks appeared poised to take the lead, but Atticus Sappington pulled his field goal attempt wide left.

With just 18 seconds remaining, Indiana didn’t head quietly into the locker room. A 15-yard pass interference penalty on Devon Jackson helped set up Brenden Franke, who drilled a 58-yard field goal to give Indiana a 13-10 lead at halftime.

The Ducks came out of the halftime break strong on defense, forcing back-to-back three-and-outs. A well-placed punt by James Ferguson-Reynolds pinned Indiana inside its own 5-yard line, eventually leading to excellent field position for Oregon on its second drive of the half.

Starting at the Hoosiers’ 38-yard line, the Ducks once again stalled and had to settle for a field goal. This time, Atticus Sappington converted, tying the game at 13.

Just like earlier in the game following an Oregon score, Indiana responded with another 75-yard touchdown drive — this one taking nine plays. The drive was sparked by a 22-yard connection from Fernando Mendoza to Roman Hemby on 2nd-and-14, setting up Hemby for a 2-yard touchdown run that put the Hoosiers back in front, 20-13 after three quarters of play.

Oregon’s offense continued to struggle early in the fourth quarter, and it looked as though Indiana might have a chance to pull away. But when the Ducks needed a spark, the defense delivered. Brandon Finney jumped a route and intercepted a Fernando Mendoza pass, returning it 35 yards for a touchdown to tie the game early in the final quarter. 

Sometimes a spark is just that, a spark, but doesn’t lead to a fire and is put out quickly, and that’s exactly what happened on the ensuing drive. 

Indiana capped off their third 75 yard touchdown drive with an 8 yard touchdown pass to Elijah Sarratt to take a 27-20 lead. The Ducks had a tough time with Indiana’s leading receiver as Sarratt caught 8 passes for 121 yards and a touchdown. The Hoosiers continued the momentum on the defensive side of the ball after a tipped Dante Moore pass led to his second interception of the season, continuing the second half offensive struggles for the Ducks.

Following a Hoosier field goal that put Indiana ahead 30-20, Dante Moore capped off the lowest-performing game of his Oregon career by throwing a game-sealing interception — his second of the day.

Indiana’s defense clamped down throughout the game, especially in the second half, where they limited the Ducks to just 41 total yards. Oregon falls to 5-1 on the season with its first-ever Big Ten loss as a member of the conference. The Ducks will look to bounce back next Saturday when they travel to face Rutgers.

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