Three Things Learned After Oregon Ducks Win At Home Against Nebraska

The Oregon Ducks (4-2) found a way to clinch the win against the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Autzen Stadium with a final score of 17-14 and a last drive touchdown from junior quarterback Dylan Raiola (who entered the game at the fourth quarter) to tight end Jamari Johnson.

Though neither team found much spark on offense till the fourth quarter, it was a defense slug-fest throughout a majority of the game. Below is three takeaways from Oregon's late night victory.

Oct 17, 2026; Eugene, Oregon, USA; Oregon Ducks head coach Dan Lanning, left, shakes hands with Nebraska Cornhuskers head coach Matt Rhule after a game at Autzen Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

No. 1: The Quarterback Competition Continues

As coach Dan Lanning said prior to this game, its safe to assume the quarterback competition is ongoing. Fifth year senior Brock Thomas, who started from the first through third quarters, went 9-20 with 54 yards and one interception in the passing game before Raiola entered in the fourth quarter to go 11-18 with 59 yards and one touchdown.

It seemed like Thomas (who was sacked three times for 33-yards) couldn't escape the pressures coming specifically from the Ducks' offensive line exterior, and there seemed to be an aversion to using Thomas' legs until the second half (a curious detail given Thomas is a former track athlete at Sheldon High School).

With Raiola entering and showing some spark and energy, it seems like Lanning with go back to the drawing board for who will start in the pocket against Illinois on the road.

No. 2: The Defense, Especially Teitum Tuitoti, Continue To Thrive

Just like in their loss to No. 12 UCLA, the Ducks' defense continues to be a bright spot and game-determiner. Senior edge rusher Teitum Tuioti ended the game with two sacks (almost three), a quarterback hurry, and 2.5 tackles for loss with several splashy plays that added tempo for Oregon. Corner Ify Obidegwu had an interception that put the Ducks in scoring position (though running back Jordon Davison fumbled on the next play), linebacker Nasir Wyatt continued to have great looks throughout the game with two hurries, two tackles for loss, and a sack, plus senior edge Matayo Uiagalelei put in two quarterback hurries himself.

No. 3: Gage Hurych Is An Accurate Kicker

Remember during the preseason where a re-stock of the special teams corps had Duck fans nervous?

Kicker Gage Hurych continues to be a major reliance for the Ducks, with all three field goals made with each being over 30 yards. The West Linn, Oregon native is 100 percent accurate for the Ducks this season so far, with 37 points to his name and 44-yards being his longest kick. If Hurych wasn't on-the-money at least once this game, it would have been a game decider. Thankfully, it appears the Ducks have a solid answer for the shoes left open by former kicker Atticus Sappington.

Below is a breakdown of the game. The latest updates are at the top.

FINAL: OREGON 17 - NEBRASKA 14

Q4 0:00 - Nebraska fails to pick up the first down and fails to get out of bounds. Oregon wins as time runs out.

Q4 0:06 - Nebraska picks up the first down and spikes the ball near midfield.

Q4 0:15 - Third down for the Nebraska offense.

Q4 0:28 - Raiola completes a TOUCHDOWN to tight end Jamari Johnson. Oregon leads 17-14 after Hudson Lewis completes the two-point conversion.

Q4 0:35 - Dakorien Moore's catch is ruled a touchdown, but the play is reviewed and subsequently overturned as Moore was out of bounds before gaining control. Second down and goal for the Ducks.

Q4 0:36 - First down and goal for the Ducks after a three-yard rush by Jordon Davison. Oregon calls its final timeout of the game.

Q4 0:43 - Ducks call another timeout after Raiola's rush is stopped short of the first down. Fourth down and one.

Q4 0:52 - Oregon calls its first timeout before third down with three yards to go.

Q4 1:13 - Ducks are in the red zone after a five-yard rush by Davison. Raiola's pass to Dakorien Moore falls incomplete. Second down for Oregon at the 25-yard line.

Q4 1:32 - Raiola hits Jalen Lott for a first down at Nebraska's 29-yard line.

Q4 1:38 - Nebraska calls its final timeout before Oregon attempts a fourth-down conversion.

Q4 2:00 - Raiola takes a deep shot to receiver Gatlin Bair in the end zone before the two-minute timeout. Ducks face a third down after the break.

Q4 3:18 - Oregon picks up another first down on a compeltion to Dakorien Moore.

Q4 4:27 - Nebraska calls timeout before Oregon snaps the ball to Dierre Hill Jr. in a wildcat formation.

Q4 5:31 - Oregon's defense forces a three and out, and Nebraska punts the ball 60 yards.

OREGON 9 - NEBRASKA 14

Q4 07:22 OREGON SCORES - Gage Hurych punches in a 37-yard field goal after the Ducks fail to create magic within 30-yards of the endzone. That drive clocked in 17 plays, 69 yards, 7:42 on the clock for Oregon.

Q4 07:29 - A big fire down the right side of the field by Raiola to Jamari Johnson is incomplete. That brings up 3rd down and 11 yards to go.

Q4 08:08 - Nebraska calls their first timeout of the half. Its a full media timeout.

Q4 08:17 - Brandon Smith carries for a first down to the Nebraska 18-yard line.

Q4 09:02 - Brandon Smith carries to the Nebraska 31 yard line for a first down. 13 yard gain.

Q4 10:18 - Davison carries to the Oregon 49 yard line for a first down.

Q4 11:18 - Raiola passes 11 yards to Jamari Johnson for a third and one situation. Jordon Davison carries on the third down attempt and theres no gain. Fourth down and one. Oregon's offense stays on the field.

Q4 12:26 - Dierre Hill punches in a first down off a 7 yard gain to the Oregon 35 yard line.

Q4 13:53 - Raiola rushes for 6 yards to the Oregon 28 yard line with 5 yards to go on second down.

Q4 15:00 - Dylan Raiola in at QB for Oregon.

THIRD QUARTER: OREGON 6 - NEBRASKA 14

OREGON 6 - NEBRASKA 14

Q3 00:07 NEBRASKA SCORES - Colandrea scores a 6-yard QB keeper touchdown. Kick is good. That drive for Nebraska went 6 plays, 52 yards, 4:06 on the clock.

Q3 02:05 - Tree Babalade is called for holding for Nebraska with the ball going 10 yards back to Oregon's 35 yard line.

Q3 04:13 - Brock Thomas is taken down hard with a call for targetting and blindside block, as Thomas' throw is intercepted after being tipped. Dwayne McDougle III brings the ball to the Oregon 48-yard line for a Husker first down. AFTER FURTHER REVIEW, the call for blindeside block stands, but targetting does NOT for Nebraska's Jahsear Whittington.

Q3 05:23 - Jordon Davison is tackled for a loss of 2-yards. Second down with 12 to go at Oregon's 33 yard line.

Q3 05:33 - Another three and out for Nebraska. On the kick to Dakorien Moore, Moore is hit late and falls on the field. No flag is thrown.

OREGON 6 - NEBRASKA 7

Q3 07:16 OREGON SCORES - Gage Hurych kicks a 36 yard field goal to put the Ducks within one against Nebraska. That drive took 8 plays, 39 yards, 3:45 on the clock.

Q3 07:51 - Brock Thomas sacked for a loss of 8-yards. Fourth down.

Q3 08:55 - Ducks are second down and 6 to go on the Nebraska 6-yard line after a 22-yard Thomas pass to Dakorien Moore for a first down.

Q3 11:11 - Ify Obidegwu gets a pass breakup for another three-and-out for Nebraska. Huskers punt to Oregon. Ducks will start on their own 43-yard line.

Q3 11:40 - Gavin Nix and Teitum Tuioti tandem to bring down Isaiah Moszee for a loss of 2 yards to the Nebraska 16 yard line and a third down.

OREGON 3 - NEBRASKA 7

Q3 12:09 OREGON SCORES - A field goal kick from Gage Hurych for 36 yards puts the Ducks on the board. This scoring drive cost Oregon 4 plays, 1 yards, 1:20 on the clock.

Q3 -12:20 - Brock Thomas starts for the Ducks at QB for the second half. An incomplete pass to Jamari Johnson yields boos from the crowd at Autzen.

Q3 13:29 - After a Nebraska three and out, Nebraska punts to Oregon, and a kneel from Archie Wilson at the Nebraska 19 gives the Ducks the ball on downs with a first down.

HALFTIME

SECOND QUARTER: OREGON 0 - NEBRASKA 7

Q2 00:00 - After the kick return, Brock Thomas kneels to end the half. A few boos ring out at Autzen.

OREGON 0 - NEBRASKA 7

Q2 00:04 NEBRASKA SCORES - Colandrea makes a 17 yard pass to Kwazi Gilmer for a Husker touchdown. The play is under review. After review, the touchdown is upheld. Kick is good.

Q2 00:57 - The Huskers have the biggest yardage play of the night so far with a pass from Colandrea to Kwazi Gilmer for 31-yards and a Nebraska 1st down to the Oregon 37-yard line.

Q2 01:12 - Teitum Tuioti gets his second sack of the night for a loss of 13 yards. Third down and 22 yards to go for the Huskers, and Oregon call a timeout.

Q2 01:24 - Teitum Tuioti gets a roughing the passer call, Nebraska goes 15 yards to their 44 yard line with a first down.

Q2 01:33 - Nebraska's center is called for a false start, putting the Huskers back 5 yards to their 28-yard line. 2nd down.

Q2 01:39 - Nebraska's Kwazi Gilmer is called for holding. 10 yard loss for the Huskers to their own 29-yard line.

Q2 01:46 - Oregon punts on fourth down, the kick is offsides but Nebraska recovers on their own 35-yard line.

Q2 01:55 - Nebraska calls timeout.

Q2 01:55 - Brandon Smith rushes for a loss of 4-yards.

Q2 02:00 - Iapani Laloulu called for a false start pushing Oregon back to their 10-yard line. Third down and 7-yards to go.

Q2 02:22 - Nebraska called offsides. Puts Oregon five yards up to their 15-yard line.

Q2 03:13 - Fox Crader is called for a holding penalty pushing the Ducks back 5-yards to their 11-yard line with a second down.

Q2 04:28 - Colandrea tries to punch in a QB keeper but is brought to the sidelines. On fourth down with 11-yards to go, the Huskers punt. Oregon will take over on their own 7-yard line.

Q2 05:14 - Brandon Finney Jr. gets a 3-yard loss tackle to ring up a third down and 10 on the Nebraska 46 yard line.

Q2 07:10 - Teitum Tuioti nearly gets another sack, but will settle for a QB hurry as Colandrea gets it to Jacory Barney Jr. for a first down on the Huskers' 35-yard line.

Q2 08:13 - A full media timeout is called as Dakorien Moore is down on the field with athletic trainers. He was hit across the middle by Caleb Benning. Moore is helped off the field by two athletic training staff members. Fourth down for Oregon. They punt to Nebraska and the Huskers will take over on their own 25-yard line.

Q2 09:21 - Colandrea's pass to Nyziah Hunter is complete, but only picks up a yard. At fourth down and 18-yards to go, the Huskers punt to the Ducks. Oregon will start on their own 37-yard line.

Q2 10:12 - Teitum Tuioti picks up Oregon's second sack of the night with a loss of 9 yards and a third down for the Huskers.

Q2 12:08 - On the very next play, the Jordon Davison rushing attempt sees the ball get punched out with Nebraska recovering. The play is under further review. The original call of a fumble is upheld after further review.

Q2 12:20 - Ify Obidegwu gets a pick. Ducks will get the ball back on the Nebraska 14-yard line.

Q2 13:11 - After a short pass from Thomas to Jamari Johnson that picked up 6 yards, the Ducks punt on fourth down. Trey McNutt downs the ball and the Huskers get to pick up their offensive game on their own 4-yard line.

Q2 13:14 - A Brock Thomas pass to Jalen Lott is incomplete due to Lott running into (and flipping over) a Nebraska defender.

Q2 13:54 - Jordon Davison breaks away up the middle for an Oregon first down and 14 yard gain to the 44-yard line.

Q2 14:53 - Moore takes the ball to the Oregon 28-yard line. First and 10 Ducks.

FIRST QUARTER: OREGON 0 - NEBRASKA 0

Q1 00:00 - End of the first quarter. The Ducks will get the ball to open the second quarter.

Q1 00:14 - Nasir Wyatt gets a quarterback sack to bring up a fourth down for the Cornhuskers and a loss of 11 yards. The Huskers will punt to the Ducks.

Q1 03:01 - The Ducks try going for it on fourth down, but Nebraska calls their first timeout of the half right before the snap. Oregon decides to punt. Nebraska will take over on their 26-yard line.

Q1 03:33 - Brock Thomas put on his back as his pass to Jamari Johnson is incomplete. Third down.

Q1 04:11 - Devon Jackson gets a tackle to bring a fourth down and four on Nebraska. Nebraska punts it to Dakorien Moore, and the ball lands into the endzone for the touchback. Ducks take over on their own 20-yard line.

Q1 05:49 - Colandrea's pass to Luke Lindenmeyer is good for a first down and nine yards and a run to the Nebraska 47 yard line.

Q1 08:02 - Jordon Davison carries to the outside right for a loss of one yard and a fourth down three-and-out. Ducks kick to the Huskers, who will start on their own 34-yard line.

Q1 09:25 - After an incomplete pass from Colandrea, the Huskers punt back to Dakorien Moore. The Ducks start on their own 25-yard line. Colandrea is currently 2-5 for 13 yards in passing.

Q1 10:07 - Brandon Finney Jr. called for a holding penalty, putting the Nebraska ball on the Cornhusker's 32 yard line with a first down.

Q1 10:57 - Mekhi Nelson rushes for 14 yards to the Nebraska 38-yard line, but a holding call on Nebraska's Gunnar Gottula puts the ball back 10-yards to the Nebraska 14-yard line.

Q1 11:04 - On a third down play where Thomas' pass to Messiah Hampton is incomplete, Thomas is hurried by a Nebraska defender. The Ducks punt to the Cornhuskers and Nebraska takes over on their own 24-yard line.

Q1 11:53 - Fans at Autzen are booing after a bomb from Thomas to Dakorien Moore is incomplete with a tackle by Victor Evans III, which booing fans may be interpreting as a pass interference. No flag was called.

Q1 12:19 - Brock Thomas throws to the left at Dierre Hill Jr. (the ball was nearly overthrown but Hill still managed a catch) and Hill carries it 6 yards for a first down.

Q1 13:08 - A'mauri Washington bats down Anthony Colandrea's pass to bring up a fourth down. Ducks receive the punt at their 16-yard line and will take over the ball.

Q1 13:31 - Teitum Tuioti gets a stop for no gain and a third down against Jamal Rule. Nebraska is at their 42-yard line with 5 to go.

Q1 14:17 - The Ducks get a three and out for their first drive, finished off with a third down incompletion to Dakorien Moore to bring up fourth down. Nebraska gets the kick and will start their first drive on their own 35-yard line.

Q1: Brock Thomas starts at quarterback for Oregon against the Cornhuskers.

Coin Toss: Nebraska wins the coin toss, and differs to the second half. Oregon will receive.

PREGAME

For the first time since 2017, the Oregon ducks (3-2) will face-off against the Nebraska Cornhuskers (5-1) at Autzen Stadium for the first 8:05 p.m. PT kickoff since the 2022 season. The Ducks, coming off a rough 17-15 home loss against the No. 12 UCLA Bruins, are looking for a fresh reset after coach Dan Lanning promised there's "going to be some changes" on the offense.

It's quite tough to beat the Ducks under Autzen's floodlights, as the team is 28-3 at home under in the Lanning era, including a perfect 10-0 in home night games, which in part prompted Nebraska coach Matt Rhule to put up later sleeping hours for his players to adjust to the evening start.

The Cornhuskers enter Autzen angry, as the previous week yielded their only loss of the season so far to the No. 5 Indiana Hoosiers at home, 20-17.

During that close game, Nebraska's quarterback senior Anthony Colandrea (the UNLV transfer replacement for now-Oregon Ducks' quarterback junior Dylan Raiola) put up 264 passing yards, 25-43 in accuracy with one interception. Nebraska's ground game put up 128 yards compared to Indiana's 65 rushing yards, and the Nebraska defense held Indiana to go 1-10 in third down attempts.

- During warmups, fifth year senior Brock Thomas was the main focus of the jumbotron camera, a typical move for the Oregon video crew to enact on the starting quarterback of the game.

Oregon Ducks Game Captains

Game 6 Captains. #GoDucks pic.twitter.com/ErUow0xsM2
— Oregon Football (@oregonfootball) October 18, 2026

Oregon Ducks Injury Report

Out

Wide receiver Jeremiah McClellan
Quarterback Dante Moore
Safety Aaron Flowers
Running Back Simeon Price
Linebacker Brayden Platt
Offensive lineman Trent Ferguson
Wide receiver Evan Stewart

Game Time Decision

Offensive lineman Dave Iuli

Oct 10, 2026; Eugene, Oregon, USA; Oregon Ducks wide receiver Evan Stewart (7) scores a touchdown during the second half against UCLA Bruins defensive back Ta'shawn James (27) at Autzen Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Nebraska Cornhuskers Injury Report

Out

Defensive back Jamir Conn
Defensive back Rex Guthrie
Wide receiver Larry Miles
Defensive back Kahmir Prescott
Linebacker Jase Reynolds
Linebacker Jacob Bower
Defensive lineman Gabe Moore
Defensive lineman Riley Van Poppel

Oct 10, 2026; Eugene, Oregon, USA; Oregon Ducks fans in the student section cheer during the second half during a game between the Oregon Ducks and the UCLA Bruins at Autzen Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

WEATHER REPORT

According to AccuWeather, the temperature in Eugene, Oregon will fall from the daily high of 65 degrees to 60 degree at the 8:05 p.m. PT time of kickoff with a low of 42 degrees throughout the evening. Fans don't need to worry about rain with a three percent probability. There will also be 12mph wind gusts, so something to consider when it comes to special teams attempts.

Let's have a night. #GoDucks pic.twitter.com/K6K71Mdja3
— GoDucks (@GoDucks) October 17, 2026

OREGON UNIFORMS

For what feels like a "reset" game for the Ducks, Oregon is wearing a classic of the "Generation O" era fit for a night at Autzen Stadium: a black "Fly Era" uniform with black undergarments, black shoes, green pants, and a green helmet with a black wing.

In Oregon Ducks on Sports Illustrated's breakdown of the uniform, its noted that this release did not come with a video featuring a former Oregon game, but instead featured senior edge rusher Teitum Tuioti posing in front of Autzen Stadium.

🟩⬛️ #GoDucks pic.twitter.com/btRBWH3g0u
— Oregon Football (@oregonfootball) October 17, 2026

MATCH-UP HISTORY

The Cornhuskers lead over the Ducks in the history of this match-up, with a 6-2 historical record. Oregon's last 42-35 win came at home in 2017, with the other victory from the Ducks occurring in 1953 on the road at Lincoln, Nebraska.

These historic teams began playing each other in 1952, where Nebraska pulled out a 13-25 win in Portland, Oregon back when the Ducks traveled up the I-5 corridor to play some of their games. Since that first game, the other five Nebraska wins all came from match-ups in Nebraska.

Sep 9, 2017; Eugene, OR, USA; Oregon Ducks wide receiver Charles Nelson (6) runs upfield after a catch Nebraska Cornhuskers in the first half at Autzen Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jaime Valdez-USA TODAY Sports | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

FAN INFO

Make it loud, Duck fans! #GoDucks https://t.co/6SPZsWNvmR pic.twitter.com/vnlhXBMGMA
— Oregon Football (@oregonfootball) October 17, 2026

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