Eugene, OR- Oregon handles Wisconsin at home in their Grateful Dead inspired uniforms. The Badgers withstood all of the Ducks punches in the first half till last drive of the half giving up a 3-yard touchdown.
The Ducks were not explosive on the stat sheet with quarterback Dante Moore throwing for only 86 yards on 9-16 attempts. It was enough to get a much-needed victory.
This was an old school Big 10 slug fest, that had running back Jordon Davison gain 102 yards on 16 carries and 2 of Oregon’s touchdowns for the game. Getting in the endzone in both halves on for 3 yards and big 20-yard touchdown in 2nd half to stretch the lead to 14-0.
“Defense played lights out today,” said Oregon coach Dan Lanning, “They did really good job controlling Wisconsin today.”
Wisconsin defense stepped up big to start off the game and overcome an onside kick that was lost but even with the extra possession the Duck didn’t turn that into points. Mason Posa (8) was all over the field for the Badgers finishing with 8 tackles.
The Badgers defense was able to add pressure most of the game with 4 sacks by Ben Barten, Mason Reiger, Sebastian Cheeks and Aaron Witt.
With all that pressure by the Badgers when Oregon reached the red zone in the 4th quarter, they use their opponent’s aggressiveness. The play action pass to the big fella #78 Gernorris Wilson with 1-yard touchdown catch to push the lead to 21-0.
Today’s victory came at a cost losing Moore in the 3rd quarter due to nose injury that should just be for today’s contest.
Oregon coach Lanning said after the game that Moore “got dinged” in the nose on a tackle, but should be in “great shape.”
“I think we could have pushed to get him back in, but he’s going to be good,” he said. “He had a bloody nose, he got hit pretty good, but it looks like he’s in great shape.”
Wisconsin will battle back and take this moral victory of getting a late touchdown in the 4th quarter. They will look to rest up and get two weeks to prepare for the Washington Huskies who will come intown on Nov 8th after the bye week.
Oregon will take this bye week to get sharp for this last drive of the season, the Ducks will travel to Iowa on Nov 8th.
