Instant Recap: Oregon Spring Game

Oregon football is back with another year of the Spring Game, between the Combat Ducks, and Fighting Ducks. The Ducks do have a couple of injuries, mostly on the defensive side. Linebacker Devon Jackson is out today, as is IDL Aydin Breland. Corner Jahlil Florence is wearing an orange no-contact jersey today, and tight end Roger Saleapaga wasn’t doing much in warmups.

First Quarter:

The Fighting Ducks take the field first, and Austin Novosad comes out targeting Dakorien Moore on 2 of the first three plays. The second target is a deep ball reception for Dakorien Moore. Jayden Limar wraps up an extremely quick drive with an easy rushing touchdown. Fighting Ducks lead 7-0 with 12:19 left in the first quarter. Hopefully the defense will figure it out.

Now it’s Dante Moore’s time to take the field. Dante Moore find Kenyon Sadiq on his first pass, for a chunk gain. Gage Hurych makes the field goal, 7-3 Fighting Ducks still lead. 8:16 left in the quarter.

Dillon Gresham with a nice grab from Austin Novosad, nearly had a big kick return to start the game. Brayden Platt makes a really nice tackle behind the line of Da’Jaun Riggs. Jerry Mixon with a heck of a hit, blowing up a TE screen, and the Fighting Ducks punt. Combat Ducks punt it right back.

Makhi Hughes gets his first carry of the game, and it’s the final play of the first quarter. 7-3 lead for the Fighting Ducks.

Second Quarter:

Luke Moga begins the second quarter utilizing his speed to scramble for a first down. Moga lofts a jump ball for Louisville transfer TE Jamari Johnson but Freshman Trey McNutt knocks it away. Andrew Boyle makes the chip shot field goal, and the Fighting Ducks extend the lead, now 10-3.

The Combat Ducks go for & convert of 4th down, Brock Thomas is now in at QB. Elijah Rushing makes a nice play, Combat Ducks will have to punt again.

Luke Moga’s throw hung in the air, and Malik Benson was still open, but drops the pass. One heck of a catch from Dillon Gresham, on the pass from Luke Moga. Malik Benson holds onto this pass from Moga, a nice throw on the run.

Akili Smith Jr now in the game for the Combat Ducks, a familiar name for Oregon fans. Two-minute drill upcoming for the Combat Ducks, who will look to tie the game at 10. Multiple sacks now with Akili Smith Jr in the game, the offensive line cannot handle the current defensive line at all. Combat Ducks completely botch the punt, so it’s a short field for Austin Novosad.

Freshman Linebacker Gavin Nix gets the sack on first down. Na’Eem Offord now the latest freshman to make a great play, catching up and knocking the ball away on what would have been a touchdown for Malik Benson. Sappington’s 46-yard field goal attempt is missed right, score stays 10-3, Fighting Ducks lead.

Dante Moore came back in for the last seconds of the first half, but was sacked. Score remains the same headed into halftime.

Third Quarter:

Kenyon Sadiq starts the second half with a highlight grab, Combat Ducks looking to tie the game. Dierre Hill Jr with his first reception/touch of the game, and he breaks a tackle. Blake Purchase with the scoop & score for the Fighting Ducks, they now lead 17-3. Ify Obidegwu was the one who forced the fumble, getting a shoulder right on the ball.

Noah Whittington had a few nice runs on this drive, until Aaron Flowers absolutely plants him. Heck of a play for another young player. Dante Moore is sacked by Will Stratton on the ensuing play.

Fighting Ducks were about to attempt a double pass, but were flagged for a false start before they could. Jerry Mixon yet again, having a nice game and he sacks Austin Novosad. Fighting Ducks will punt with just over 4 minutes left in the third.

Nearly a touchdown for Kyler Kasper but Jahlil Florence is able to make the play, and get the pass breakup. Great to see him back from injury, and playing well. Jurrion Dickey makes a nice play now, another player healthy finally. Jay Harris punches it into the endzone on the following play, and the Combat Ducks are back in it. 17-10 Fighting Ducks lead with 1:33 left in the third quarter.

Luke Moga back into the game for the Fighting Ducks. Score remains 17-10, Fighting Ducks with the ball as we head to the fourth quarter.

Fourth Quarter:

On third down, freshman Akili Smith Jr goes crossbody to find fellow freshman Vander Ploog for a first down. Smith still looks a bit antsy in the pocket, but the offensive line is doing him no favors. A long field goal is good for Gage Hurych, making the score 17-13 Fighting Ducks on top.

Fighting Ducks will have to punt with just over 6 minutes to play, Combat Ducks could take the lead on this drive. Unreal catch by Kenyon Sadiq on the pass from Brock Thomas. Freshman DB Brandon Finney gets a sack on Thomas on the ensuing play, Jericho Johnson in there too. Sadiq again with a highlight-esque play as he lays a mean shoulder on Aaron Flowers. To Flowers’ credit, he holds on to make the tackle. Brock Thomas finds Justius Lowe for the 4th down conversion, setting the Combat Ducks up with a 1st & Goal. Jay Harris gets the handoff and punches it in the endzone, to give the Combat Ducks the 20-17 lead with 2:10 remaining.

Freshman Dorian Brew gets called for pass interference, and now the offense is in the two-minute drill. Luke Moga connects with Dillon Gresham, and he does the rest, taking it to the house. Fighting Ducks have retaken the league, 24-20 with 1:20 left in the spring game.

Dante Moore will now get a crack at it, to go down and win the game. Perfect pressure situation for Dante. He airs it out on first down and find Kyler Kasper, perfect location on the throw. Combat Ducks wasting a ton of time, now down to only 13 seconds left from near midfield. With essentially no time remaining, Dante Moore launches it deep into double coverage and it is picked off by Aaron Flowers. Fighting Ducks defeat the Combat Ducks 24-20.