By : Colton Towns
(Photo/Rodney Cofield-The Mojo Network)
The atmosphere at Autzen Stadium was anything but ordinary Saturday night. The Oregon Ducks honored the Grateful Dead with a tribute game that turned into a gritty, rain-soaked battle against the Wisconsin Badgers. Through steady downpours and unexpected adversity, the Ducks found a way to get it done, pulling out a 21–7 win to stay among the nation’s top contenders.
From the opening kick, it was clear this wasn’t going to be a typical Oregon shootout. Heavy rain slowed both offenses, forcing the Ducks to lean on their ground game and physicality at the line of scrimmage. Quarterback Dante Moore completed 9 of 15 passes for 86 yards before leaving the game in the third quarter after taking a hard hit. The true freshman showed toughness before heading to the medical tent, and his teammates responded by rallying around him.
In Moore’s absence, freshman walk-on Brock Thomas stepped in and delivered when his team needed him most. The Eugene native went a perfect 4-for-4 through the air for 46 yards and a touchdown, including a key first down run that fired up the Autzen crowd. Thomas’s composure under pressure helped steady Oregon’s offense as the rain intensified late in the game.
Running back Jordon Davison continued his impressive freshman campaign, shouldering the offensive load with over 100 rushing yards and two touchdowns. His vision and burst helped Oregon control the tempo and wear down the Badgers defense. Late in the second half, offensive lineman Gernorris Wilson added one of the highlights of the night a rare “big-man touchdown” that sealed the win and sent the soaked home fans into celebration.
Defensively, Oregon’s front seven was relentless. Dillon Thieneman led the Ducks with seven tackles and multiple pass breakups, while Bryce Boettcher and Theran Johnson both forced fumbles that stalled Wisconsin drives. Linemen Bear Alexander and A’Mauri Washington anchored the trenches, constantly disrupting the Badgers’ rhythm and limiting their ground game.
The game may not have unfolded as explosively as some expected, but it showcased Oregon’s ability to win in tough conditions. The Ducks adapted, played disciplined football, and leaned on their depth when it mattered most. For a team with championship aspirations, learning how to grind out victories like this could prove invaluable down the stretch.
As the rain poured and the lights reflected off a slick Autzen field, the Ducks found a way to stay unbeaten at home not with flash, but with grit.