Oregon Ducks Beat Wisconsin Badgers: Matayo Uiagalelei's Massive Sack, Interception

The No. 1 Oregon Ducks improved to 11-0 in a 16-13 win against the Wisconsin Badgers. The Wisconsin defense successfully bottled up quarterback Dillon Gabriel and the Oregon offense. Oregon running back Jordan James and defensive end Matayo Uiagalelei provided major highlights in the victory.

Nov 16, 2024; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Oregon Ducks linebacker Matayo Uiagalelei (10) intercepts a pass during the fourth quarter against the Wisconsin Badgers at Camp Randall Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images / Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images

In a neck-and-neck battle to the end, No. 1 Oregon Ducks improved to 11-0 in a 16-13 win against the Wisconsin Badgers. This was the Ducks' most nail-biting contest, as the Wisconsin defense successfully bottled up quarterback Dillon Gabriel and the Oregon offense.

The Ducks punched their ticket to the Big Ten Championship Game, barring an unlikely tiebreaker scenario.

Nov 16, 2024; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Oregon Ducks wide receiver Gary Bryant Jr. (2) dives trying to catch a a pass during the second quarter against the Wisconsin Badgers at Camp Randall Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images / Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images

Oregon's offense had one of his worst games in terms of third down conversions with 5-15 made. In passing, Gabriel went 22-31 and picked up 218 yards with one interception. Oregon leading receiver Tez Johnson is still out with injury and his absence was felt in this game. Gabriel's connections downfield did not land, including several key misses from tight end Terrance Ferguson.

Oregon kicker Atticus Sappington was the savior for the offense, with three essential field goals to keep the Ducks in the game, and ultimately seal the victory.

Penalties were still an issue for the Ducks, with seven total penalties for 55 yards.

However, the Ducks shined on defense. Oregon defensive lineman Matayo Uiagalelei was key to the winning this contest with one sack, five total tackles, on tackle for loss, and a key interception in the fourth quarter to get the Ducks the ball back with minutes to spare. Teitum Tuioti and Bryce Boettcher were also key to stopping the passing game and ground game for the Badgers.

"It takes the whole defense, you know what I’m saying?" Uiagalelei said on the postgame broadcast. "We went into halftime, we were down, but everybody rallied together, keep it positive. Just keep doing what we’re doing, and we just gotta get the ball out. That’s what we focus on doing, and that’s what we did."

Oregon now has a 11-0 record and a bye week to deal with the injuries at hand crippling the offense.

Follow along below for updates throughout the game. The newest updates are located at the top of this article.

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OREGON WINS 16-13!

Q4 1:00: Timeout Wisconsin.

Q4 00:41: After Dillon Gabriel rushes twice for a loss of yards, Oregon takes a time out.

Q4 01:32: Matayo Uiagalelei intercepts Braedyn Locke. Oregon's ball.

Q4 01:45: Oregon uses the rushing game but no good. Oregon turns over on downs.

Q4 01:49: Timeout Wisconsin.

Q4 01:54: Oregon timeout.

Q4 01:48: Wisconsin turns over on downs.

Q4 02:36: Wisconsin called for a delay of game.

OREGON 16, WISCONSIN 13

Q4 02:39: After a quarterback hurry from John Pius of the Badgers, Oregon elects to kick a 24-yard field goal. Sappington makes the field goal.

Q4 04:03: Dillon Gabriel rushes for 8-yards for a first down in red zone range. Wisconsin's Hunter Wholer is down after the play with an injury.

Q4 06:35: Wisconsin's offense is not able to get anything cooking so punts on downs to Oregon.

Q4 08:32: Dillon Gabriel is sacked for a loss of 1-yard. Oregon punts on downs.

Q4 10:08: Dillon Gabriel rushes for 8-yards and a first down.

Q4 10:57: Ajani Cornelius called for a false start penalty. Oregon loses 5-yards.

Q4 11:14: False start called on Vinny Anthony II of Wisconsin. Wisconsin punts on downs.

Q4 11:43: Matayo Uiagalelei gets a huge hit against CJ Williams to force a fourth down.

OREGON 13, WISCONSIN 13

Q4 13:02 OREGON SCORES: Jordan James runs 11-yards for a rushing touchdown. Oregon's first of the night. Kick is good.

Q4 15:00: Dillon Gabriel goes for it on fourth down passes to Terrance Ferguson for 15-yards and a first down.

FOURTH QUARTER

Q3 00:23: Dillon Gabriel sacked for a loss of 4-yards.

Q3 03:54: Jordan James rushes for 8-yards, putting him over 1,000 yards this season.

OREGON 6, WISCONSIN 13

Q3 05:47 WISCONSIN SCORES: Nathanial Vakos kicks a 35-yard field goal for the Badgers.

Q3 09:57: Jamaree Caldwell slow to get up. Leaves game for a play.

Q3 14:05: Oregon punts on downs.

Q3 14:13: Dillon Gabriel aims at Terrance Ferguson but comes up incomplete. Ferguson was down before the pass made it's way over.

THIRD QUARTER

HALFTIME

OREGON 6, WISCONSIN 10

Q2 00:27 WISCONSIN SCORES: Wisconsin gets the first touchdown of the game with Locke throwing to Will Pauling for a 2-yard touchdown. Kick is good.

Q2 00:35: Nikko Reed called for a pass interference. Ball is put on the 2-yard line and Badgers have an automatic first down.

Q2 00:38: Wisconsin calls their final timeout of the half.

Q2 00:55: Derrick Harmon gets a quarterback hurry against Locke. Jack Nelson called for holding for the Badgers.

Q2 02:21: Derrick Harmon called for a holding penalty. 10-yard gain for Wisconsin and an automatic first down. Oregon has 5 penalties for 40 yards.

Q2 02:21: Timeout Wisconsin.

Q2 02:55: Wisconsin's defense continues to contain Oregon, as the Ducks are forced to punt to Wisconsin.

Q2 05:53: After more misses from Locke, Wisconsin is forced to punt. Oregon's ball.

Q2 07:02: Brandon Johnson gets a -3 yard tackles for loss against Vinny Anthony II.

Q2 07:55: Oregon is forced to punt on downs.

Q2 08:31: Wisconsin's Nyzier Fourqurean nearly gets an interception but settles for a pass breakup.

OREGON 6, WISCONSIN 3

Q2 10:19 WISCONSIN SCORES: After being forced to a fourth down on Oregon's 31 yard line, Nathanial Vakos makes the field goal. This drive included 13 plays for 61 yards for the Badgers.

Q2 10:52: Bryce Boettcher gets a tackle for a 1 yard loss.

Q2 11:20: Oregon called for delay of game, which automatically gives Wisconsin a first down out of a fourth down play and 5 yards.

Q2 11:52: After a few incomplete passes for Locke, Wisconsin calls a timeout. Their first of the half.

Q2 12:43: Wisconsin's Tawee Walker rushes 22-yards to red zone. Holding penalty on Wisconsin's Bryson Green puts Badgers back to Oregon 27 yard line.

SECOND QUARTER

Q1 00:32: Oregon is called offsides on the kick return. 5-yard penalty enforced.

OREGON 6, WISCONSIN 0

Q1 00:55 OREGON SCORES: After a 6 play drive that picks up 30-yards, Oregon is forced to kick a field goal and Atticus Sappington sinks a 30-yard field goal.

Q1 02:57: Pass to Justius Lowe from Gabriel is ruled incomplete after contention for a fumble. Josh Conerly Jr. called for holding. Loss of 10-yards for Oregon.

Q1 03:16: Terrance Ferguson called for holding. 10 yard loss for Oregon.

Q1 04:25: After two tackles from Jamaree Caldwell and another incompletion from Braedyn Locke (his fourth so far), Badgers are on fourth down and punt.

Q1 05:25: Dillon Gabriel is intercepted by Nyzier Fourqurean up the middle (pass intended for Terrance Ferguson). While returning, tackled by Dave Iuli at Wisconsin 11-yard line. Badger's ball.

Q1 08:05: Corner Dontae Manning is down for the Ducks. He's helped off the field and enters the medical tent.

Q1 07:54: Bryce Boettcher gets a pass breakup from Braedyn Locke.

OREGON 3, WISCONSIN 0

Q1 08:49 OREGON SCORES: After several short rushes and throws led to a fourth down on the Wisconsin 35-yard line, Atticus Sappington kicks a field goal to put the Ducks on the board.

Q1 13:12: Jordan James rushes for 4-yards. This is the first time he's entered a Ducks' game since he was pulled for injury during the Maryland contest.

Q1 14:23: Wisconsin's Braedyn Locke is sacked for a loss of 4-yards by Teitum Tuioti. Ball is fumbled, but recovered by a Badger. However, it's a fourth down and the Badgers choose to punt.

Wisconsin wins the coin toss. They choose to keep the ball and Oregon will defend.

FIRST QUARTER

PREGAME

Oregon enters this contest after a series of highs and lows at Autzen Stadium in their 38-19 win against the Maryland Terrapins. Quarterback Dillon Gabriel broke the NCAA touchdown record with 179 scores. His record-breaking touchdown was a three-yard pass to offensive lineman Gernorris Wilson, with offensive tackle Josh Conerly Jr. scoring the two point conversion.

Oregon offensive lineman Gernorris Wilson scores a touchdown as the Oregon Ducks host the Maryland Terrapins at Autzen Stadium Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024 in Eugene, Ore. / Ben Lonergan/The Register-Guard / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

On the other side of the ball, Kobe Savage had a career game with nine total tackles, one of the highest totals in a game for Oregon this year. Before exiting the game in the second half against Maryland, defensive end Jordan Burch recorded one sack, one forced fumble, one quarterback hurry, two pass breakups, and one tackle for loss. He also showed off his athleticism on a 36-yard rush off a punt fake in the second half.

Injury Report

OREGON DUCKS

OUT

1 Jordan Burch
6 Jahlil Florence
14 Khamari Terrell
15 Tez Johnson
17 Kyler Kasper
55 Marcus Harper
77 Matthew Bedford
93 My’Keil Gardner

WISCONSIN BADGERS

QUESTIONABLE

7 Jaheim Thomas
14 Tyrell Henry
92 Curt Neal

OUT

1 Chez Mellusi
10 Tyler Van Dyke
12 Joe Griffin
13 Kamo’i Latu
17 Cole LaCrue
46 Tamer Dalloul
64 Evan Brown
66 Leyton Nelson
89 Rob Booker
90 James Thompson

The biggest struggles for the Ducks came from penalties, kick returns, and injuries. Against Maryland, Oregon had 12 penalties for 95 yards. With wide receiver and kick returner Tez Johnson out with an injury, Oregon's special teams was one of the weakest points in the Maryland win.

Senior running back Jordan James, Burch, and offensive lineman Marcus Harper II are all impact starters dealing with injuries. Both Burch and Harper will not be available against Wisconsin.

"Poor performance for us, we got to go back and look at the film to eliminate that," Oregon coach Dan Lanning said during the post game press conference. "We didn’t play clean, so I don’t know if we were distracted, not focused … I feel like our guys had good energy and enthusiasm, but we put ourselves in some bad spots on defense. Giving them opportunities for first downs, hurt ourselves with some pre-snap penalties on offense so it’s definitely something for us to attack and clean up.”

Wisconsin enters this game with a 5-4 record overall. The Badgers' lost their last game against the Iowa Hawkeyes 42-10. Quarterback Braedyn Locke finished with 137 yards, two interceptions and a sack, so Oregon's strong passing defense will look to make quick work of deep balls. Wisconsin's defense doesn't do well against rushing quarterbacks, so Gabriel might need to use his feet to get that edge against the Badgers.

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