Oregon Ducks Terrance Ferguson: 'Confident, Not Cocky' In Big Ten Championship Game Berth

The Oregon Ducks will compete in their first Big Ten Championship against Penn State on Saturday. Oregon tight end Terrance Ferguson said this summer, his family booked Air BNB lodging for Indianapolis/Big Ten Championship game. Ferguson addressed the pain of losing conference championships in the past and the excitement of the upcoming opportunity.

Oregon tight end Terrance Ferguson catches a pass from former Oregon quarterback Bo Nix during Oregon Pro Day Tuesday, March 12, 2024 at the Moshofsky Center in Eugene, Ore. / Ben Lonergan/The Register-Guard / USA TODAY NETWORK

The No. 1 Oregon Ducks will face off against the Penn State Nittany Lions in the Big Ten Championship game on Saturday night. 

Ducks senior tight end Terrance Ferguson spoke on Monday about the opportunity the Ducks have in front of them and how they look to shake off their last two conference championship game losses. 

Ferguson said this summer, his family booked Air BNB lodging for Indianapolis/Big Ten Championship game.

“In a confident way, not cocky, we expected this,” Ferguson said.

Terrance Ferguson Still Thinks About Pac-12 Championship Game Losses

Dec 1, 2023; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Washington Huskies tight end Quentin Moore (88) scores on a 2-yard touchdown reception against Oregon Ducks linebacker Jestin Jacobs (4) in the second half of the Pac-12 Championship game at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images / Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

The Oregon Ducks will get the opportunity to win the Big Ten Championship in their first year in the conference on Saturday night vs. Penn State.

For Ducks tight end Terrance Ferguson, this game is larger than just this season. Ferguson has been on two previous Oregon teams that made it to the Pac-12 Conference Championship games and lost (2021, 2023.)

Ferguson still thinks about those games and is eager to turn the tide on Saturday.

“When you get to a championship game and you come up short like we did last year, it stays with you 365 days,” Ferguson said. “I wake up thinking about that game.”

The game Ferguson is talking about? The Ducks heartbreaking 34-31 loss to the Washington Huskies in the 2023 Pac-12 championship game. 

“It definitely stays with you. You definitely sit a little longer on the sideline and watch the confetti fall with the opponents colors,” Ferguson said. “I’ve been a part of that twice and it’s not a good feeling.”

This group can put that behind them and get over the conference championship hump with a win on Saturday.

“Super excited for this weekend,” Ferguson said. “We’re just excited for the opportunity to go out there and play those guys.”

Terrance Ferguson Impressed By Penn State Tight End Tyler Warren

Nov 30, 2024; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions tight end Tyler Warren (44) runs with the ball against the Maryland Terrapins during the second quarter at Beaver Stadium. Penn State won 44-7. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O'Haren-Imagn Images / Matthew O'Haren-Imagn Images

Terrance Ferguson spoke about what makes Penn State such a tough team. Nittany Lions tight end Tyler Warren has gotten his attention. What makes Warren so good?

“His ability to be anything they ask of him. I think he’s done a great job of that,” Ferguson said. “I like watching the tape because as a tight end, watching another tight end like that is pretty special.”

Tyler Warren has 81 receptions for 978 yards and six touchdowns on the season. He has the most career receiving touchdowns by a tight end in Penn State History with 17.

Additionally, Warren this season has 21 carries for 189 yards and four touchdown. He is also a terrific blocker. A true “do-it-all” player. 

Terrance Ferguson: “They Are A Really Good Defense”

Nov 30, 2024; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; (Editors Notes: Caption Correction) Penn State Nittany Lions defensive end Abdul Carter (11) pressures Maryland Terrapins quarterback MJ Morris (7) during the first quarter at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O'Haren-Imagn Images / Matthew O'Haren-Imagn Images

“Across the board, they are a really good defense,” Ferguson said. “They play very strong. Up front they got a lot of big guys that move people.”

Penn State has one of the best defenses in the country loaded with good players. Who are some of the players that have stood out to Terrance Ferguson?

“No. 11 (Abdul Carter). Really good player. Very twitchy, very aggressive,” Ferguson said. “No. 1 (Jaylen Reed) in the back. Head of the defense. I look forward to playing against those guys because they are elite players.”

Defensive tackle Abdul Carter leads the Nittany Lions with 10 sacks and safety Jaylen Reed leads them with three interceptions this season.

The Ducks offense will have their hands full with this defense, but to be the best you have to beat the best.

“The best players play the best players,” Ferguson said. 

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