Most avid hikers are familiar with the term “false peak”.

It’s a term used to describe a time when the top of a mountain seems to be in view, only for one to be further from the top than they think.

Over the past few weeks, Oregon men’s basketball fans are becoming accustomed to the feeling. 

After a third unranked loss in just nine days, the Ducks’ season — that once seemed so promising — is experiencing an avalanche of struggles, sending them back to the base of the mountain. 

The unranked Nebraska Cornhuskers — who entered losers of six of their last seven — sputtered into Eugene on Sunday, and still walked out with a 77-71 win over the then-No. 16 Oregon Ducks. 

In the past, Oregon’s head coach Dana Altman has talked about not stacking losses. A key to that should have been jumping out to a fast start against the Cornhuskers. Reality couldn’t have been much further from the expectations. 

With over eight minutes played in the first half, the Oregon offense had mustered six points on 2/11 shooting and 0/3 shooting from range. 

A 3-point dagger from Jackson Shelstad temporarily woke the MKA crowd, but the Oregon offense couldn’t follow suit. An uncovered dunk down low from Nebraska’s Juwan Gary (One of two Huskers to score 20+ points in the win) prompted an eruption from the Cornhuskers’ bench and a timeout from Altman. 

It didn’t help that Nebraska shot a whopping 52.0% in the first half, but Oregon’s lack of defensive pressure was a direct contributor to the Huskers’ successes. 

One of the bigger crowd pops of the night came on a Nebraska 30-second violation. The Ducks provided very few moments to get loud about in Sunday’s snowball loss. 

Even the potentially momentum-shifting spurts from the Ducks’ offense were always met with a Cornhuskers’ response, typically on a demoralizing dunk or silencing floater. 

“Our progress defensively is not what [it] should be,” Altman said.

Oregon’s longtime coach also said he wished his guys had played tighter in the first half, but a lack of defensive threats haunted the Ducks for 40 minutes, 39 of which they trailed for. 

Even when the Ducks would trim Nebraska’s lead to a possession or two, it never felt like Oregon was in any danger of winning the contest. 

And yet, that’s what this team has done over and over again this season: come from behind. A string of rallies early in the season led to potentially undeserved wins. These early-season successes may have created a false peak, shadowing some key flaws that this 2024-25 Oregon roster possesses. 

The reality is that a team led by Nate Bittle in the paint has a limited ceiling – and not one that deserves a top-10 ranking. 

A team that’s comfortable settling for contested shots and living or dying by the 3-point shot (Oregon shot 5/20 from range against Nebraska) has no business being a top threat in the NCAA Tournament. Still, a few unsustainable wins against some legitimate opponents months ago may have made this team think it’s closer to the apex of college basketball than it is. 

“It could have slowed our progress,” Altman admitted of early-season success and the team’s current mindset. “There’s a fine line between hitting a shot and missing it and what it does to you.”

But perhaps the main issue, one that Altman admitted to after Sunday’s defeat, is that his team lacks leadership, something any possible contender must have. 

“They’re all kind of walking on eggshells,” Altman said of any potential leader. “There’s no way to really consistently play well. Everybody’s been kinda up and down. None of them are walking around like they own the place. They’ve all been inconsistent and I think that keeps any of them from being really vocal. So, we don’t have that.”

The comeback kids need to regroup. The contest just lacked hope, something Oregon fans had a mere month ago that diminishes with each gutting loss. 

The snowball continues to roll.

It feels like eons ago that Oregon men’s basketball had a “No. 9” ranking sitting next to that “O” in the polls. In reality, it was less than a month ago. The Ducks were ranked No. 9 for their Jan. 5 win over Maryland.

Now, after the latest polls, Oregon sits unranked and looking back up at the peak of men’s basketball, looming much higher than it was just 30 days ago. 

When asked about where the disconnect lies, Altman offered a chuckle before admitting, “If I knew that, we’d get things straightened out real quick.”

The fall from what turned out to be a false peak lives on with the Ducks’ latest loss, and major adjustments need to be on the horizon with March approaching sooner than Altman may want to admit. 

The post Oregon men’s basketball’s false peak appeared first on Daily Emerald.

Too close for comfort? Maybe. 

But nothing is more comfortable than a flight after a hardfought road conference victory like the Ducks earned on Thursday afternoon. 

Deja Kelly silenced all doubt with a go-ahead shot with four seconds left to earn her Ducks a 63-61 win over the Penn State Nittany Lions (9-7, 0-5 Big Ten).

Oregon was unable to put Penn State away while leading for the bulk of the game and almost gave away a contest that was the Ducks’ game to lose. 

But leaders find a way. Kelly found a way. 

The Ducks (12-4, 3-2 Big Ten) found their second road conference win on the back of a complete team-effort performance. Nine different Ducks got on the board with Kelly leading the scoring with only 15 points. 

Defensive dominance and taking an early lead were the keys to shutting down a subpar Penn State team. The Ducks demonstrated this theme early limiting Penn State to 14 first-quarter points to take a 20-14 advantage 10 minutes in. Amina Muhammad and Sarah Rambus both tallied a quick six points in the opening frame

In the second quarter, Penn State started to close the gap. Gabby Elliot recorded seven of her game-leading 26 points while limiting the Ducks to 14 points of their own. Still, Oregon led by seven at the break. 

One concerning part of Oregon’s win was its inability to sink 3-point baskets. The Ducks shot 18% (3/17) from range while Penn State had a commendable 40% on 15 attempts. 

On the flip side, Penn State did everything it could to hand the game to the Ducks. The Nittany Lions committed a whopping 24 turnovers to Oregon’s 15 and the Ducks netted 21 of their points off turnovers. 

Oregon outscored Penn State 20-18 in the third quarter to secure a nine-point lead entering the final frame. Nani Falatea had nine of her 10 points in the frame on 4/4 shooting, but the Ducks just couldn’t pull away from pesky Penn State. 

The Nittany Lions stormed back to take its first lead early in the fourth quarter with a pair of 3-pointers from Elliot and Grace Hall and a slew of fouls from the Ducks. Penn State started the frame on a 10-0 run before Phillipina Kyei finally ended an Oregon scoring drought that lasted for over five minutes. 

From there, it was a race to the finish line, both teams trading fouls, buckets and turnovers. The fourth quarter featured several lead changes, and both squads have more than five sloppy turnovers. With just four seconds to play, a tied game was still far from settled. 

Insert Deja Kelly. She hit a jumper in the waning seconds to put the Ducks ahead one final time. Penn State’s last shot fell away and Oregon held on for its third conference win of the year. 

Oregon went ice cold in the fourth quarter and it nearly cost Kelly Graves’ team a much-needed victory. Blowing a fourth-quarter lead as quickly as the Ducks did could’ve severely messed with the team’s psyche. 

Instead, this could be remembered as one of Oregon’s premier wins of the season. The Ducks were without Peyton Scott for a second-straight game and were able to find victory despite being outscored 16-9 in the game’s final quarter. 

Oregon demonstrated incredible grit and will hope to keep the good mojo moving forward as a difficult road test against No. 9 Ohio State awaits the Ducks on Saturday. Tipoff is set for 10 a.m. PST.

The Ducks are back in the win column.

Sunday’s contest between the No. 9 Oregon Ducks (13-2, 2-2 Big Ten) and the Maryland Terrapins (11-4, 1-3 Big Ten) was set to be a big one for Dana Altman’s squad. The Ducks were in desperate need of a bounceback after getting embarrassed at home against Illinois just two days prior. 

Oregon got its response in a shootout win over the Terrapins that saw a total of 21 3-pointers fall, most of them coming at crucial moments. 

“This was another game where we can show what type of team we can be and forget about the last game,” Nate Bittle said. “The guys did a good job of that.”

Both teams got off to blistering offensive starts. Maryland knocked down threes on each of their first two possessions while the Ducks found points on each of their first five. Bittle tallied six points in the game’s first five minutes, but the Ducks trailed 14-12 at the contest’s first media timeout. 

The Terrapins came to shoot the lights out, and were successful in doing so early on. Maryland hit three of their first five attempts from deep as its lead grew to eight halfway through the first half. Still, the Terrapins were far from putting anything away in the opening minutes. 

“We knew we were going to go on a run,” Jackson Shelstad said. “We got things together defensively.”

The energy threatened to leave the building when Selton Miguel went over the top of Bittle for a layup and picked up a foul. His free throw put the Terrapins up by 13. Undeterred by the ballooning deficit, Bittle responded with a 3-pointer to bring the Matthew Knight Arena crowd back into it. Seconds later, Shelstad connected from deep for a triple of his own. 

Then, he did it again, causing a minor explosion from those in attendance. Shelstad’s quick resurgence allowed Oregon to cut the deficit to two. He finished the first half with 14 points (4/4 from deep) to lead all scorers at the break. He finished with 23 points on 8/10 shooting (5/5 from deep), five rebounds and two assists. 

“He’d been struggling shooting, but we worked at it,” Altman said of Shelstad. “He’d been shooting okay in practice. Players go through stretches, and this had been a long stretch for him. What I was most impressed with, I know he hit shots, but he guarded much better tonight.”

Maryland got hot again in the half’s closing minutes, but a 3-point shot from Jadrian Tracey sent the Ducks into the locker room on a high note. The Terrapins were 5-12 from deep in the opening frame and took a narrow 45-42 lead into the halftime break. 

The second half started no differently than the first. Keeshawn Barthelemy (14 points on 5/8 shooting) knocked down a three of his own and put back a layup seconds later to knot the game at 47. Then, Bittle sunk his second shot from beyond the arc on the day to give Oregon its first lead of the contest. 

“He likes it,” Altman said of Bittle taking 3-point shots. “I mean, half his shots [came] from [deep], so you know where he wants to go. He can shoot them.”

A 14-0 run from Bittle and the Ducks put Oregon ahead by nine and forced Maryland to take a much-needed timeout. Momentum seemed to have finally swung Altman’s way in Big Ten play. Bittle finished with 16 points, six rebounds and two assists in his crucial performance. 

Kwame Evans Jr. hit a 3-ball early in the second half to become the fifth Duck to record a 3-pointer in the contest. 38 of Oregon’s 83 overall points came from deep. Both teams shot a commendable 42.9% from 3-point range. 

“I thought for the most part, our shot selection was decent,” Altman said. 

The next six minutes were a chess match, much like the rest of the game had been. Shelstad and the Terrapins traded threes while Bittle battled in the paint. With 11 minutes left to play, the game was as tight as ever as the Ducks clung to a 64-62 lead.

Maryland went back ahead with a pair of down-low layups, but the cat-and-mouse game was far from over. Kwame Evans Jr. regained the lead with a putback, but it lasted just long enough for Ja’Kobi Gellespie to sink his third 3-pointer of the afternoon. 

When the final media timeout hit with 3:27 left to play, the two squads were knotted at 74-74. Bittle blocked a pair of dunks in a matter of seconds to help the atmosphere grow. MKA was as lively as it had been in a while. 

“[The fans] got really loud and that’s when we started rallying,” Shelstad said. “Toward the end of the game, the last couple minutes, they got really loud and we’re going to need that from them with this schedule we have in the conference.”

Barthelemy connected from deep again with just over two minutes remaining to retake the lead. Finally, it was one the Ducks wouldn’t relent. Oregon took down the Terrapins 83-79 to earn its second conference victory of the season. 

Five Oregon shooters finished with 10 or more points in a full team-effort win. The Ducks return to action on Thursday in a road game against Ohio State. Tipoff is set for 3:00 pm PST.

Was there ever a doubt that No. 1 Oregon (13-0) and No. 8 Ohio State (11-2) would meet again in the playoffs? Well, it’s happening here today in beautiful Pasadena, California at the Rose Bowl! The Ducks and the Buckeyes fought wire-to-wire back in October in a clash the Ducks won 32-31. Ohio State seeks revenge today as the Ducks look to stay perfect and keep their dream season alive. Brady Ruth (@bradyruth10 on X) has live updates from the Rose Bowl press box presented by The Duck Store. You may have to refresh for the latest updates. 

FINAL: Oregon’s season ended at the hands of the Buckeyes in a 41-21 defeat in the Rose Bowl Game. Ohio State outplayed Oregon in every aspect of the game and will advance to play Texas in the Cotton Bowl Classic. Thank you for following along with tonight’s live updates presented by The Duck Store.

EDITOR’S NOTE: I’m blessed with the chance to go down to the field for the waning minutes. I’ll lose service down there, but you won’t miss any important updates. I’ll update everything from the post-game media tent. It has been a privilege to bring coverage today, despite the lopsided score. 

(Q4 – 10:31 Ohio State: 41, Oregon: 15) Oregon converts on 4th down. Moves the chains.

(Q4 – 12:26 Ohio State: 41, Oregon: 15) Gabriel gets popped, but moves the chains with a completion to Ferguson.

(Q4 – 13:54 Ohio State: 41, Oregon: 15) Ohio State goes 3-and-out after a sack by Derrick Harmon. Oregon gets the ball back, running out of time.

(Q4 – 15:00 Ohio State: 41, Oregon: 15) My final quarter of covering Oregon football with the Daily Emerald starts now.

END OF Q3

(Q3 – 0:43 Ohio State: 41, Oregon: 15) Oregon punts.

(Q3 – 2:19 Ohio State: 41, Oregon: 15) TreVeyon Henderson with another rushing TOUCHDOWN. Ohio State has hung 41 on the Ducks and we still have an entire quarter to play.

(Q3 – 3:42 Ohio State: 34, Oregon: 15) Jeremiah Smith moves the chains (weird). 1st down to the Ducks’ 44-yard line.

(Q3 – 5:36 Ohio State: 34, Oregon: 15) Oregon goes 3-and-out. Ohio State takes over near midfield.

(Q3 – 7:21 Ohio State: 34, Oregon: 15) Ohio State goes 3-and-out. The Ducks take back over on their own 25-yard line.

(Q3 – 8:55 Ohio State: 34, Oregon: 15) Touchback. Ohio State starts on the 25-yard line.

(Q3 – 8:55 Ohio State: 34, Oregon: 15) With Joran James out with a head injury, Noah Whittington plows in for an Oregon TOUCHDOWN. The extra point is GOOD. Oregon has scored 15-unanswered points, but needs some miraculous defensive stops.

(Q3 – 8:58 Ohio State: 34, Oregon: 8) Oregon calls timeout.

(Q3 – 10:24 Ohio State: 34, Oregon: 8) Traeshon Holden with a nice catch across midfield for a 1st down to the Buckeyes’ 28-yard line.

(Q3 – 12:50 Ohio State: 34, Oregon: 8) Gabriel pushes forward for a 1st down.

(Q3 – 13:24 Ohio State: 34, Oregon: 8) Oregon faces 4th-and-1 from its own 34-yard line.

(Q3 – 15:00 Ohio State: 34, Oregon: 8) Touchback. Oregon to the 25-yard line.

HALFTIME – The Ducks trail the Buckeyes and have a lot of work to do in the second half. Fortunately, Dan Lanning’s squad gets the ball to start the third quarter.

(Q2 – 0:00 Ohio State: 34, Oregon: 8) Dillon Gabriel hits Traeshon Holden in the endzone after extending the play for an Oregon TOUCHDOWN. The Ducks go for two and it is GOOD. Justice Lowe pulls it in. The Ducks get on the board at the final play of the half.

(Q2 – 0:02 Ohio State: 34, Oregon: 0) Oregon calls its second timeout on the Buckeyes’ 5-yard line.

(Q2 – 0:27 Ohio State: 34, Oregon: 0) Traeshon Holden puts the Ducks across midfield for the first time today.

(Q2 – 2:00 Ohio State: 34, Oregon: 0) We’ve reached the two-minute timeout. If Oregon can miraculously score here and to start the second half… the Ducks will only be trailing by 20.

(Q2 – 2:59 Ohio State: 34, Oregon: 0) Ohio State adds a field goal. The Buckeyes are toying with the Ducks.

(Q2 – 7:50 Ohio State: 31, Oregon: 0) Oregon goes 3-and-out AGAIN. The Buckeyes take over again.

(Q2 – 8:47 Ohio State: 31, Oregon: 0) TreVeyon Henderson takes off and goes untouched for a 66-yard TOUCHDOWN run. This one’s already over, folks!

(Q2 – 8:59 Ohio State: 24, Oregon: 0) Oregon goes 3-and-out again. Weird. Ohio State takes over on its own 34-yard line.

(Q2 – 10:28 Ohio State: 24, Oregon: 0) Jeremiah Smith left open AGAIN for a 43-yard TOUCHDOWN. The Buckeyes go 43 yards in a flash and this is getting humiliating.

(Q2 – 11:11 Ohio State: 17, Oregon: 0) Dillon Gabriel’s 4th-and-3 pass falls incomplete. Oregon turns it over on downs. NOTHING is going Oregon’s way.

(Q2 – 11:13 Ohio State: 17, Oregon: 0) Ohio State takes a timeout with an Oregon 4th-and-3 looming from the Ducks’ 48-yard line.

(Q2 – 12:55 Ohio State: 17, Oregon: 0) Traeshon Holden picks up 12. 1st-and-10 from the Ducks’ 41-yard line.

(Q2 – 14:50 Ohio State: 17, Oregon: 0) Ohio State’s 46-yard field goal is GOOD. The Buckeyes take a three-score lead on the second play of the second quarter.

(Q1 – 0:00 Ohio State: 14, Oregon: 0) END OF Q1. Ohio State is dominating an Oregon team that so far hasn’t come to play in the slightest.

(Q1 – 1:04 Ohio State: 14, Oregon: 0) Will Howard fins Emika Egbuka for another 1st down. Buckeyes are rolling.

(Q1 – 2:04 Ohio State: 14, Oregon: 0) Ohio State gets a 1st down on a bomb to Jeremiah Smith. The Buckeyes are already at midfield. Smith already has over 100 yards.

(Q1 – 3:43 Ohio State: 14, Oregon: 0) Oregon gains six. Punt time again. Ohio State takes over on its own 9-yard line.

(Q1 – 4:49 Ohio State: 14, Oregon: 0) Jordan James swallowed up. 3rd-and-12 from the 45-yard line.

(Q1 – 5:12 Ohio State: 14, Oregon: 0) Jordan James picks the Ducks up a 1st down and they are close to midfield.

(Q1 – 5:46 Ohio State: 14, Oregon: 0) Terrance Ferguson earns the Ducks their first 1st down of the game with a nine-yard reception.

(Q1 – 7:31 Ohio State: 14, Oregon: 0) Tez Johnson gets smoked on a reverse. He loses a yard. Oregon faces 3rd-and-long again.

(Q1 – 7:31 Ohio State: 14, Oregon: 0) Will Howard drops a 42-yard dime into the hands of Emika Egbuka for an Ohio State TOUCHDOWN. The extra point is GOOD. Ohio State is all OVER the Ducks early.

(Q1 – 7:55) Ohio State: 7, Oregon: 0 – 1st down Ohio State to the Ducks’ 42-yard line.

(Q1 – 8:36) Ohio State: 7, Oregon: 0 – Oregon goes 3-and-out again. The Ducks have 11 yards across two drives. The punt is shanked and the Buckeyes take over at midfield. Brutal start.

(Q1 – 8:50) Ohio State: 7, Oregon: 0 – Oregon faces 3rd-and-8 from the 22-yard line. Gabriel was hit on his last pass attempt, and it was almost intercepted.

(Q1 – 9:27) Ohio State: 7, Oregon: 0 – The Buckeyes’ punt bounces into the endzone. It would have been a 53-yard field goal attempt. Oregon starts on the 20-yard line.

(Q1 – 9:35) Ohio State: 7, Oregon: 0 – Ohio State fails to convert on 3rd-and-10. Punt unit coming on at the Ducks’ 36-yard line.

(Q1 – 10:36) Ohio State: 7, Oregon: 0 – Jeremiah Smith is left wide open again. Howard hits him for a 1st down.

(Q1 – 11:08) Ohio State: 7, Oregon: 0 – Judkins goes for a yard on Ohio State’s first rushing attempt of the day.

(Q1 – 12:00) Ohio State: 7, Oregon: 0 – Jeremiah Smith leaps for an incredible, 29-yard catch to midfield. This kid is insane. Good ball from Howard.

(Q1 – 12:10) Ohio State: 7, Oregon: 0 – The Ducks go 3-and-out. Disaster start for Dillon Gabriel and the Oregon offense. Ohio State gets the ball back on its own 22-yard line.

(Q1 – 14:00) Ohio State: 7, Oregon: 0 – Oregon starts on its own 25-yard line.

(Q1 – 14:00) Ohio State: 7, Oregon: 0 – Will Howard hits Jeremiah Smith for a 45-yard catch-and-run TOUCHDOWN. The extra point is GOOD. Ohio State strikes in just three plays, going 75 yards and stunning the Ducks.

(Q1 – 14:50) Ohio State: 0, Oregon: 0 – Will Howard hits a man and is across midfield immediately. 30 yards on the first play.

(Q1 – 15:00) Ohio State: 0, Oregon: 0 – Touchback. Ohio State starts at its own 25-yard line.

(Q1 – 15:00) Ohio State: 0, Oregon: 0 – Oregon wins the toss. The Buckeyes will start with the ball. Let’s play some ROSE BOWL FOOTBALL!

(PREGAME) Note from Editor: I’m so excited. It’s unreal that I’m here today covering with the Daily Emerald. Permanent pinch marks on my arm.

Passion. Tradition. Rose Bowl. Oregon. Ohio State.

Weeks of hypotheticals, lost sleep, anticipation and smack talk have all lead us up to the 2025 Rose Bowl Game.

In an insane era of college football that features countless inconsistencies and changes, The Rose Bowl Game remains one of the sport’s true traditions. But a newfound rivalry brings a new passion to the latest edition of the game.

Tomorrow, passion meets tradition.

The “Granddaddy of Them All” has always sat as a reward for two of the best teams from two of the nation’s oldest conferences. Tradition.

Ohio State, the longtime Big Ten member is all too familiar with playing in the Rose Bowl. So much so that Ryan Day’s team opted not to take a team picture in front of the iconic venue on Tuesday. Ohio State is a blue blood playing in a familiar venue. Tradition.

Oregon was a Pac-12 powerhouse with its own fair share of Pasadena trips. It took just one season for Dan Lanning’s Ducks to conquer the Big Ten. Now, they carry a flame to finish the job. Passion.

The College Football Playoff is in a new 12-team format with more teams vying for a shot at glory. Passion.

Oregon and Ohio State have created a quick distain for each other. Each fan base thinks the other is entitled, arrogant and delusional. The Ducks’ 32-31 win over the Buckeyes back in October did nothing but fuel that fire. There is passion between these two squads.

And there is no venue with more tradition for newfound foes to clash at on New Year’s Day. Words will collide when foot meets leather on a Pasadena afternoon.

Today, I met two fanbases.

One was thrilled to be back, undeterred by two regular-season losses. Ohio State fans came to see their team get revenge they’ve waited on for months.

Oregon fans brought a new confidence to the Rose Bowl Bash. They are ready to see their Ducks reach the apex of college football, and they’re thrilled to stick it to the Buckeyes again.

The Rose Bowl Bash was an incredible environment that I’m thrilled to have been able to witness. It was one of the best fan events I’ve ever seen. The fans are ready.

This morning, head coaches Dan Lanning and Ryan Day were all business. They refused to talk about much of anything outside of the feeling of preparedness that they both feel. The coaches are ready.

Ohio State didn’t take a team picture. When the Ducks showed up for theirs, they were all business getting on and off the bus. The players are ready.

Football fans are waiting for a competitive CFP contest. They expect Oregon and Ohio State to deliver. The world is ready.

There are no more storylines to create, no more horses to beat. We’ve said everything we can say about the clash that awaits. Passion and tradition will combine to create momentum and legacy.

There’s heroes of any contest, a Big Ten Championship Game is no different in that aspect. 

Amidst Oregon’s 45-37 win over No. 3 Penn State in Indianapolis, Indiana, one Duck was brighter than all of the primetime lights put together. 

Tez Johson became the first wide receiver in Big Ten Championship Game history to be named the game’s Most Valuable Player. 

He was well deserving. Johnson had a career-high 181 yards on 11 receptions and 12 targets. Johnson tormented the Nittany Lions’ defense all night long, shifting away from would-be tacklers and creating space – often in the middle of the field.

The Nittany Lions had absolutely no answers for the senior receiver, and Penn State head coach James Franklin gave Johnson some well-deserved credit. 

“We knew going into the game, 15 was going to be a problem.” Franklin said. “Tez Johnson, had a ton of respect for him. He ended up having a heck of a game.”

Indeed he did. It was a record-setting night, too. Johnson’s 181 receiving yards were the most ever in a Big Ten Championship Game and the most in an FBS conference championship game since 2021. Johnson had 104 yards in the first half (on just five catches) to become the first player in Big Ten Championship Game history to record a triple-digit first half. 

“He’s special,” Oregon quarterback Dillon Gabriel said. “He knows it. I think when you’re around a talented individual, you appreciate it because just the person he is. He’s electric, and when he gets the ball in his hands, he’s going to make a play.”

Johnson missed time this year after sustaining an injury in a win over Michigan, yet moved up to third in single-season receptions in a UO season. He’s at 78, chasing the record he set last year at 86. 

“Tez is a huge part of what we do,” Gabriel said. “And him being on the field makes us a lot better.”

Despite only being at Oregon for two seasons, Johnson sits fifth in program history in total receptions. He sits just 15 behind the all-time record of 179. Johnson has already more than etched his name in the Duck record books, becoming the 12th player in program history to surpass 2000 career receiving yards.

But, the win meant more than numbers on a scoreboard or a stat sheet to Johnson. On Saturday, he played in front of his biological family for the first time. 

“I told them, like, this is the first game y’all coming to, I’ll give you all a show,” Johnson said. “I promise you that.”

His show was a masterminded performance that’ll be talked about for years to come. The show’s crowning moment came on Oregon’s first drive of the third quarter. Facing 2nd-and-9, the pocket was collapsing around Gabriel. He rolled out to his left and his eyes found what had to be a glorious sight: Johnson alone in the middle of the field. Gabriel hit Johnson and the shifty wideout did the rest himself, taking off for a 48-yard touchdown to put Oregon ahead 38-24. 

“I don’t know if words can explain it,” Johnson said. “My mom, just seeing the tears in her eyes, being able to watch me play on a stage like this.”

Aside from walking out of Lucas Oil Stadium with MVP honors, Johnson left with a feeling of gratitude. 

“Just being able to get them to the game, words can’t explain,” Johnson said. “It’s something you dream about. And when that time happens and it’s being able to get checked off your bucket list, you don’t take it for granted.”

Johnson had six receptions that went for more than 15 yards. He was open a lot, and he’s nearly impossible to tackle when given space. The Ducks missed him during his absence, and he gave the college football world a reminder of the threat he is, bringing home Oregon’s first Big Ten title in program history. 

You know what they say: the third time’s the charm!

For the third time in my collegiate life, the Oregon Ducks played in a conference championship game. For the second time in two years, I got to cover it with the Daily Emerald. For the first time in history, the Ducks are champions of the Big Ten.

It was well worth the wait to watch confetti fall from the rafters at Lucas Oil Stadium. 

The trip out (and back) was brutal. Lost luggage (thanks, American Airlines), a sprint through the Dallas Airport and a lack of dining options in Indianapolis all spelled out bad omens for the trip. 

But, it didn’t matter. It was all worth it. 

The opportunity to stay in the media hotel in Indianapolis was surreal. Bumping elbows with the writers I see every day as well as national media who I recognized in a heartbeat gave me an odd sense of belonging. Being surrounded by talent and stories in an NFL press box gave me aspirations of my future, one I hope to center around this industry. 

The game wasn’t until 8 p.m. EST (truly, I don’t know how people can be sports fans on the East Coast), so I had a lot of time to kill on Saturday. Indianapolis had a fair amount to offer. A cool shopping center provided a chance to replace the clothes I lost and provided a view of the studding city center. I walked around the capitol building, NCAA Hall of Champions, 9/11 Memorial and several nice parks. With time to kill, sightseeing became an enjoyable task. 

I walked around fanfest and got to meet up with people I’ve interviewed, gone to class with and seen on countless gamedays. The city of Indianapolis really did a nice job creating a fun and entertaining atmosphere around one of the biggest games of the season.

I got into the stadium three hours ahead of game time, so I got to walk around the stadium and enjoy some press box food. I met up with my counterpart from Penn State, and it was awesome to be able to talk to him and hear his stories from the season. 

The press box in Indy was pretty nice aside from two major flaws. The wifi didn’t remotely work and the windows were closed. One of the best parts of an open-air press box is being able to feel the environment and hear the crowd. Closed-window press boxes deprive journalists of that aspect. No matter. To be there was well worth it. 

One perk of being a credentialed journalist was a vote in the Big Ten Championship MVP race. I’m pleased to report that I got it right. My vote, Tez Johnson, became the first wide receiver to win the prestigious award. 

Somehow faster than Tez Johnson was on Saturday, my fingers flew across my keyboard for the better part of four hours. Live updates, game recaps and Twitter posts flew out of my computer at a rate only Oregon’s offense could hope to match. As the Ducks put up 45 points, my workload (and my night) got heavier and longer. Again, you won’t hear a complaint from me. It was all incredibly worth it. 

I got to talk to a dejected Penn State team and an excited yet hungry Oregon squad after the game ended. I posted my article, and walked down to the field to soak it in one last time. I got back to the hotel around 1:45 in the morning, my Uber for the airport left at 5 a.m. It was a very short night, but so worth it. 

I’ll never forget these incredible experiences made possible by kind-hearted donors and my Daily Emerald pro team. As the season progresses and the 12-team playoff debuts, I vow to make every dollar spent on student journalism worth it.

As the confetti rained down at Lucas Oil Stadium, Oregon’s Big Ten reign began.

128 days ago, Oregon officially joined the Big Ten Conference. It took Dan Lanning just over four months to win the nation’s oldest conference. The Oregon Ducks are Big Ten Champions. 

“I don’t have a lot to say except for how proud I am of these guys,” Lanning said to open his presser. 

In a game that featured 82 points, the Ducks never trailed. 

Oregon wasted no time getting started. A nine-play, 84-yard touchdown drive was aided by a facemask penalty and highlighted by a 28-yard Kenyon Sadiq touchdown that featured a nasty hurdle. Oregon struck fast on Sadiq’s first touchdown of the season and took a quick 7-0, statement-making lead. 

The Nittany Lions rapidly responded with a field goal-scoring drive. Nicholas Singleton broke off a 44-yard run to set Penn State up deep in Oregon territory. 

The Ducks’ second drive was again aided by a facemask call, this time on 4th-and-1. The drive also ended with a Sadiq score, a beautiful ball from Gabriel again finding the open tight end. 

But, Penn State had an answer. A crucial 3rd-and-15 conversion gave the Nittany Lions momentum and moved the ball across midfield. Three plays later, Singleton (105 yards on 10 attempts) crossed the goal line after hauling in a Drew Allar pass. The Nittany Lions went 75 yards in just over a minute during a first quarter that featured 24 points and 290 yards of offense. 

Penn State gave the Ducks all they could handle, and then some. The Nittany Lions out-rushed Oregon 292-183, gained more 1st downs and were 7-13 on 3rd down and 2-2 on 4th down. The Ducks’ defense had trouble getting off the field at times, but Oregon’s offense had no problem finding the endzone. 

“Give Oregon credit,” Penn State James Franklin said. “But more importantly, I’m proud of the guys in our locker room and how they competed tonight.”

The next drive Gabriel conducted also found a tight end in the endzone. Sadiq’s tight end teammate, Terrance Ferguson, went low for a four-yard reception on 3rd-and-goal to put Ducks back ahead by two scores. 

“I love those guys,” Gabriel said about his tight ends. “They’re an extremely talented group. Very unselfish. All year, they’ve waited their time in terms of touchdowns. But, they were ready for their moment, each of them. I’m proud of them and they’re obviously guys that I think very highly of.”

Gabriel — the Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year — came to play in Lucas Oil Stadium, fitting for his NFL aspirations. He threw for 283 yards and four touchdowns on 22/32 passing.

“I’m just smiling because we’re Big Ten Champs,” Gabriel said. “I’m smiling because we took advantage of the opportunity we had.”

Oregon finally got a stop early in the second quarter, but immediately followed it up with a 3-and-out of its own. The two teams seemed locked in a primetime tango, trading blows like highly-ranked teams should. 

Finally, Penn State blinked. Allar (20/39 for 226, three touchdowns and two interceptions) badly underthrew his man deep in his own territory and Dontae Manning snagged an interception and returned it to the 1-yard line. One play later, Jordan James (87 yards and two touchdowns on 20 attempts) was in the endzone to put Oregon ahead 28-10. 

Allar found a wide-open Omari Evans to get back in it, and the Nittany Lions’ defense forced a second 3-and-out. Penn State scored again with 1:53 on the clock to make it a four-point ballgame and seemed to have all the momentum in the world right before the half. 

Atticus Sappington hit a 32-yard field goal in the closing seconds, but with Allar and the Penn State offense set to open the second half with the ball and Oregon unable to make key 3rd-down stops, disaster appeared to be on the horizon for the Ducks. 

But still, Oregon led 31-24 at the break after the highest-scoring first half in Big Ten Championship Game history, breaking the record set in 2012 (52 points).

“I think our guys do an incredible job of understanding the reset button,” Lanning said. “The next play’s the most important play. As emotional as the game of football is, they do an unbelievable job of knowing that the job’s not done until the job’s done.”

Penn State opened the second half with a successful ground attack. The Nittany Lions utilized 35 rushing yards — almost all of which came on chunk plays — to set up a 40-yard field goal attempt, but Ryan Barker’s kick sailed wide right. 

Five players later, Oregon was in the endzone. Tez Johnson was left uncovered in the middle of the field, and Gabriel hit him for a 48-yard touchdown. Johnson earned Big Ten Championship Game MVP honors with his 11 receptions for 181 yards and the long touchdown. Johnson averaged 16.5 yards per catch on Saturday.

With Johnson’s touchdown, Oregon retook a 14-point lead and temporarily stifled the momentum. 

Penn State was held scoreless in the third quarter, but scored on the second play of the final frame. The two-point attempt failed, but the Nittany Lions were within one. 

“The strategy was about winning the game in regulation,” Franklin said. “We wanted to be aggressive.”

Then came perhaps the biggest drive of the night. James finished off a 12-play, 75-yard drive with a three-yard touchdown run. Oregon converted two key 3rd downs and a massive 4th down to Ferguson. Not only did the sequence give the Ducks a two-score lead, but it took 6:50 off the clock. 

Penn State scored late on an incredible 4th-down pass from a pressured Allar, and the Nittany Lions got the ball back with just over two minutes remaining, trailing by eight.

Then, Nikko Reed called game. 

Allar threw an interception — his second of the night — down the sideline. Reed made an incredible, diving catch to reel it in. One 1st down later, Oregon was in victory formation. 

“I’ve got to do a better job of ‘him or nobody’,” Allar said. 

“Give that kid [Reed] credit,” Franklin added. “He made a hell of a play.”

Oregon finished a perfect conference season and is set to be the No. 1 seed in the College Football Playoff.

The confetti, still meandering its way down from the rafters as the team left the field, glitters golden — perhaps a symbol of the new gold standard the Ducks set on a December night in Indianapolis. 

What a dream it is to cover the Big Ten Championship Game in Indianapolis, Indiana. Brady Ruth here, and I’m so honored to be providing live coverage of this game! The No. 1 Ducks (12-0, 9-0 Big Ten) are one win away from the No. 1 seed in the College Football Playoff, but have to get through No. 3 Penn State (11-1, 8-1 Big Ten) first. Follow along here for live updates presented by The Duck Store! You may need to refresh for the latest updates.

FINAL: Penn State: 37, Oregon: 45 – The Oregon Ducks are Big Ten Champions. The Oregon sideline explodes. A stadium that was 65% white and blue empties. The Ducks stay perfect and will be the No. 1 seed in the College Football Playoff!

(Q4 – 1:26) Penn State: 37, Oregon, 45 – Dillon Gabriel 1st down. Oregon is going to win the Big Ten Championship Game!

(Q4 – 1:45) Penn State: 37, Oregon, 45 – Penn State uses its last timeout. 3rd-and-1 upcoming. A 1st down ends the game.

(Q4 – 1:48) Penn State: 37, Oregon, 45 – Penn State calls its second timeout. 2nd-and-5 upcoming.

(Q4 – 1:54) Penn State: 37, Oregon, 45 – Drew Allar throws an INTERCEPTION. Nikko Reed picks off Allar. The Ducks get the ball back.

(Q4 – 2:00) Penn State: 37, Oregon, 45 – Penn State is at the 46-yard line at the two-minute warning.

(Q4 – 2:11) Penn State: 37, Oregon, 45 – The Ducks go 3-and-out. They burn only a minute off the clock. Penn State gets the ball back with a chance to tie the game at midfield. He called for a fair catch, but ran anyways. That’s apparently not a penalty. 1st-and-10 Penn State from its own 37-yard line.

(Q4 – 2:44) Penn State: 37, Oregon, 45 – Oregon gains nothing on 1st or 2nd down. 3rd-and-10.

(Q4 – 3:41) Penn State: 37, Oregon, 45 – Touchback.

(Q4 – 3:41) Penn State: 37, Oregon, 45 – Drew Allar hits Wallace on 4th down for a Penn State TOUCHDOWN. The extra point is GOOD and the Nittany Lions are back within a score.

(Q4 – 3:46) Penn State: 30, Oregon, 45 – Penn State faces 4th-and-ballgame.

(Q4 – 3:50) Penn State: 30, Oregon, 45 – Allar went nowhere. 3rd-and-10 from the 14-yard line. Timeout, Oregon.

(Q4 – 4:06) Penn State: 30, Oregon, 45 – Penn State calls its first timeout.

(Q4 – 4:06) Penn State: 30, Oregon, 45 – Allar takes off for another 1st down. The Nittany Lions are down to the 14-yard line.

(Q4 – 5:54) Penn State: 30, Oregon, 45 – 1st. Down. Penn State. Wallace was left wide open.

(Q4 – 6:26) Penn State: 30, Oregon, 45 –  The Ducks’ defense finally gets to the quarterback. Derrick Harmon brings Allar down to force 3rd-and-16.

(Q4 – 7:01) Penn State: 30, Oregon, 45 – Penn State is out to midfield right away.

(Q4 – 7:28) Penn State: 30, Oregon, 45 – Jordan. James. TOUCHDOWN. The Ducks take 6:50 off the clock on a huge, 12-play, 75-yard drive. The extra point is GOOD and Oregon has a two-score lead with 7:28 to play.

(Q4 – 8:03) Penn State: 30, Oregon, 38 – Jordan James down to the 4-yard line.

(Q4 – 8:57) Penn State: 30, Oregon, 38 – Gabriel hits Terrance Ferguson. Big 1st down to the 15-yard line. Chains move. Clock runs.

(Q4 – 9:11) Penn State: 30, Oregon, 38 – Jordan James gets stuffed. 4th-and-2…

(Q4 – 10:16) Penn State: 30, Oregon, 38 – Oregon faces 3rd-and-2 from the 35-yard line.

(Q4 – 10:54) Penn State: 30, Oregon, 38 – Tez Johnson with a HUGE conversion. Chains move, clock runs.

(Q4 – 11:43) Penn State: 30, Oregon, 38 – Gabriel faces 3rd-and-9 from the 41-yard line. Timeout.

(Q4 – 12:47) Penn State: 30, Oregon, 38 – Gabriel hits Jordan James in the flat for a big 1st down. Chains move, clock runs. Oregon out to the 40-yard line.

(Q4 – 13:38) Penn State: 30, Oregon, 38 – Dillon Gabriel FUMBLES, but the Ducks get back on it. Oregon faces 3rd-and-6 from the 29-yard line.

(Q4 – 14:17) Penn State: 30, Oregon, 38 – Allen pushes forward for a TOUCHDOWN. The two-point attempt is NO GOOD and Oregon holds an eight-point lead.

(Q4 – 14:30) Penn State: 24, Oregon, 38 – The call stands. 1st-and-goal from the 1-yard line.

(Q4 – 14:30) Penn State: 24, Oregon, 38 – The Nittany Lions take off on a great run to the 1-yard line. The play is under review to see if he scored. I think he did.

END OF Q3

(Q3 – 0:00) Penn State: 24, Oregon: 38 – another deep run into Oregon territory. Penn State will have 1st-and-10 from the 19-yard line to start the fourth quarter.

(Q3 – 0:57) Penn State: 24, Oregon: 38 – A hands-to-the-face penalty on Derrick Harmon gets Penn State off its own goal line. One play later, a long rushing play puts Penn State across midfield.

(Q3 – 1:40) Penn State: 24, Oregon: 38 – Oregon’s drive stalls out at midfield. Oregon punts back to the Nittany Lions, who will take over on their own 3-yard line.

(Q3 – 4:01) Penn State: 24, Oregon: 38 – Jordan James powers across to midfield. 1st down, Ducks.

(Q3 – 4:27) Penn State: 24, Oregon: 38 – Oregon faces 3rd-and-1 from its own 32-yard line.

(Q3 – 5:00) Penn State: 24, Oregon: 38 – Noah Whittington blasts forward for a 1st down to the 33-yard line.

(Q3 – 5:41) Penn State: 24, Oregon: 38 – Oregon gains nine on a pass to Tez Johnson in the flat.

(Q3 – 6:14) Penn State: 24, Oregon: 38 – Oregon forces a huge punt, but will take over on its own 9-yard line.

(Q3 – 7:19) Penn State: 24, Oregon: 38 – Penn State picks up a 1st down to its own 36-yard line.

(Q3 – 7:36) Penn State: 24, Oregon: 38 – Dillon Gabriel finds Tez Johnson uncovered (bold strategy) in the middle of the field and Johnson does the rest, taking off for a 48-yard TOUCHDOWN. The extra point is GOOD and the Ducks have a two-score lead again.

(Q3 – 8:21) Penn State: 24, Oregon: 31 – Traeshon Holden made a great leaping catch to get the Ducks to midfield.

(Q3 – 9:06) Penn State: 24, Oregon: 31 – Jordan James gains 10 on the Ducks’ first play of the second half.

(Q3 – 9:27) Penn State: 24, Oregon: 31 – Ryan Barker’s kick is NO GOOD. He missed it wide right. Oregon gets bailed out and gets the ball back.

(Q3 – 9:43) Penn State: 24, Oregon: 31 – Penn State is bringing on the field goal unit on 4th-and-5.

(Q3 – 10:19) Penn State: 24, Oregon: 31 – Big 3rd-and-9 here on the opening drive.

(Q3 – 10:58) Penn State: 24, Oregon: 31 – Big 1st down catch by Warren for a 1st down in double coverage.

(Q3 – 12:13) Penn State: 24, Oregon: 31 – Another rushing 1st down. Penn State is at midfield.

(Q3 – 13:24) Penn State: 24, Oregon: 31 – Warren powers forward for a 1st down.

(Q3 – 14:03) Penn State: 24, Oregon: 31 – Penn State faces 3rd-and-1

(Q3 – 14:52) Penn State: 24, Oregon: 31 – First play is a six-yard gain on the ground.

(Q3 – 15:00) Penn State: 24, Oregon: 31 – Touchback. Penn State starts from its own 25-yard line.

END OF HALF

(Q2 – 0:06) Penn State: 24, Oregon: 31 – After a screen on 3rd-and-9 (unsurprisingly) doesn’t get the needed yardage, the Ducks settle for a 32-yard field goal attempt. The kick is GOOD. Oregon retakes a seven-point lead.

(Q2 – 0:14) Penn State: 24, Oregon: 28 – Oregon calls timeout with the play clock expiring.

(Q2 – 0:14) Penn State: 24, Oregon: 28 – Penn State calls timeout with an Oregon 3-and-9 looming.

(Q2 – 0:40) Penn State: 24, Oregon: 28 – Gabriel picks up a 1st down with his legs. Timeout, Penn State.

(Q2 – 0:50) Penn State: 24, Oregon: 28 – Traeshon Holden just dropped what would have been a touchdown. Brutal.

(Q2 – 1:18) Penn State: 24, Oregon: 28 – Tez Johnson gets the Ducks across midfield with a big pickup. Jordan James runs them down to the Penn State 43-yard line.

(Q2 – 1:53) Penn State: 24, Oregon: 28 – The call STANDS. The extra point is GOOD. This is a four-point ballgame. Yikes. Oregon had an 18-point lead just a few minutes ago.

(Q2 – 1:53) Penn State: 23, Oregon: 28 – Drew Allar keeps it for a seven-yard TOUCHDOWN. The play is being reviewed, but he looked in.

(Q2 – 2:00) Penn State: 17, Oregon: 28 – Two-minute timeout. 1st-and-goal from the 7-yard line.

(Q2 – 2:44) Penn State: 17, Oregon: 28 – The Nittany Lions are driving. It’s 3rd-and-2 from the 10-yard line. Jamaree Caldwell is down and injured. Timeout.

(Q2 – 4:30) Penn State: 17, Oregon: 28 – 1st down, Penn State. Oregon’s defense is struggling to get off the field.

(Q2 – 4:39) Penn State: 17, Oregon: 28 – Allar runs for eight. 4th-and-1.

(Q2 – 5:00) Penn State: 17, Oregon: 28 – Bryce Boettcher fell over, but Nicholas Singleton dropped the ball. Big break for the Ducks, the crowd wants a call. 3rd-and-9.

(Q2 – 5:44) Penn State: 17, Oregon: 28 – One play later, the Nittany Lions are across midfield. Nice run play.

(Q2 – 5:56) Penn State: 17, Oregon: 28 – The Ducks go 3-and-out again. Penn State takes over on its own 36-yard line. The defender hit Oregon with the “thumbs down” celebration after the pass breakup on 3rd down.

(Q2 – 6:39) Penn State: 17, Oregon: 28 – Oregon gets popped on 2nd-and-10. 3rd-and-10.

(Q2 – 6:49) Penn State: 17, Oregon: 28 – Drew Allar hits a wide-open Omari Evans in the endzone for a 22-yard TOUCHDOWN pass. The extra point is GOOD and Penn State makes it a two-score game again.

(Q2 – 7:55) Penn State: 10, Oregon: 28 – A long run from Singleton extends the drive.

(Q2 – 8:08) Penn State: 10, Oregon: 28 – Penn State faces 3rd-and-4 from the Ducks’ 38-yard line.

(Q2 – 8:50) Penn State: 10, Oregon: 28 – A really nice run from Penn State moves the Nittany Lions across midfield.

(Q2 – 9:18) Penn State: 10, Oregon: 28 – Penn State goes 3-and-out, but a pass interference penalty on the Ducks will extend the drive. Brutal break for the Oregon defense.

(Q2 – 10:05) Penn State: 10, Oregon: 28 – One. Play. Later. Jordan James pushes forward for a TOUCHDOWN. The extra good is GOOD. Oregon capitalizes on the interception right away and take an 18-point lead.

(Q2 – 10:10) Penn State: 10, Oregon: 21 – Drew Allar’s pass is INTERCEPTED by Dontae Manning and returned to the Penn State 1-yard line.

(Q2 – 10:22) Penn State: 10, Oregon: 21 – Oregon goes 3-and-out and punts back to the Nittany Lions. Penn State takes over on its own 11-yard line. That was a BOMB of a punt.

(Q2 – 11:14) Penn State: 10, Oregon: 21 – Oregon loses yards on 2nd down. 3rd-and-13 upcoming.

(Q2 – 11:45) Penn State: 10, Oregon: 21 – Jordan James with a drop on 1st down.

(Q2 – 11:49) Penn State: 10, Oregon: 21 – The Ducks take over on their own 31-yard line.

(Q2 – 12:04) Penn State: 10, Oregon: 21 – Penn State’s drive is wounded by its fourth personal foul of the game. The Nittany Lions are coming on to perform the game’s first punt.

(Q2 – 13:04) Penn State: 10, Oregon: 21 – Gabriel hits his other tight end, Terrance Ferguson, for another Oregon TOUCHDOWN. The extra point is GOOD. This Oregon offense came to play.

(Q2 – 13:24) Penn State: 10, Oregon: 14 – Gabriel is tripped up. 3rd-and-goal from the 4-yard line.

(Q2 – 14:45) Penn State: 10, Oregon: 14 – Tez Johnson is wide open again and moves the ball to the 7-yard line.

END OF Q1

(Q1 – 0:14) Penn State: 10, Oregon: 14 – A wide-open Tez Johnson moves the ball across midfield, but Gabriel is sacked on the next play. Oregon faces 2nd-and-12.

(Q1 – 1:24) Penn State: 10, Oregon: 14 – Touchback.

(Q1 – 1:24) Penn State: 10, Oregon: 14 – Drew Allar hits a wide-open Warren for 28 yards down to the Ducks’ 22-yard line. On the next play, he finds Singleton for a Penn State TOUCHDOWN. The extra point is GOOD and this electric first quarter continues!

(Q1 – 2:21) Penn State: 3, Oregon: 14 – Drew Allar finds his man to cross midfield and move Penn State across midfield.

(Q1 – 2:54) Penn State: 3, Oregon: 14 – The Nittany Lions face 3rd-and-15.

(Q1 – 2:59) Penn State: 3, Oregon: 14 – Tyler Warren DROPS a deep pass. He pushed off the defender, but couldn’t secure what would have been a huge 1st down catch.

(Q1 – 3:21) Penn State: 3, Oregon: 14 – Gabriel hits Kenyon Sadiq on a beautiful ball for his second TOUCHDOWN of the game. The extra point is GOOD. The Ducks take a two-score lead on the Nittany Lions in the first quarter. Oregon goes 75 yards in 10 plays for the score.

(Q1 – 3:46) Penn State: 3, Oregon: 7 – 1st-and-goal after a nice completion to Tez Johnson.

(Q1 – 5:24) Penn State: 3, Oregon: 7 – Jordan James got stuffed on 4th down but another Penn State facemask penalty extends the Ducks’ drive. 1st-and-10 from the 24-yard line.

(Q1 – 5:35) Penn State: 3, Oregon: 7 – Dillon Gabriel’s 3rd-down pass is deflected. Oregon is lining up for 4th-and-1.

(Q1 – 6:59) Penn State: 3, Oregon: 7 – An incredible, shifty run from Noah Whittington has the Ducks at midfield. He broke several tackles and changed directions swiftly.

(Q1 – 7:30) Penn State: 3, Oregon: 7 – Oregon takes over on its own 25-yard line.

(Q1 – 7:30) Penn State: 3, Oregon: 7 – Ryan Barker’s 33-yard kick is GOOD. Penn State responds in a big way in large thanks to Singleton’s run. This is going to be a good one.

(Q1 – 7:34) Penn State: 0, Oregon: 7 – Drew Allar’s 3rd-down pass falls incomplete. Penn State to attempt a field goal.

(Q1 – 8:27) Penn State: 0, Oregon: 7 – A HUGE run play from Nicholas Singleton picks up 41 yards to the Oregon 22-yard line. The Nittany Lions are in business. If he didn’t stumble, he’d still be running.

(Q1 – 9:40) Penn State: 0, Oregon: 7 – Penn State fumbles, but gets it back. Drew Allar made a nice throw to pick up a 1st down.

(Q1 – 10:40) Penn State: 0, Oregon: 7 – Touchback. Penn State starts on its own 25-yard line.

(Q1 – 10:40) Penn State: 0, Oregon: 7 – Dillon Gabriel finds Kenyon Sadiq who hurdles a man on his way in for an Oregon TOUCHDOWN. The extra point is GOOD. My goodness, Kenyon Sadiq.

(Q1 – 11:56) Penn State: 0, Oregon: 0 – The Ducks’ drive is aided up by a facemask on Penn State. 1st-and-10 from the 23.

(Q1 – 12:56) Penn State: 0, Oregon: 0 – Dillon Gabriel’s first pass is a 17-yard completion to Tez Johnson to get to the Penn State 46-yard line.

(Q1 – 13:31) Penn State: 0, Oregon: 0 – A trio of run plays to Jordan James gives the Ducks their first 1st down of the night.

(Q1 – 14:56) Penn State: 0, Oregon: 0 – Noah Whittington returns the kick to the 16-yard line. 1st-and-10, Ducks.

(Q1 – 15:00) Penn State: 0, Oregon: 0 – Penn State wins the toss and defers. The Ducks will start with the ball.

This is the story of a man who fathers a one-year-old son named Autzen. With fandom dedication like that, there’s no way Jesse Hill was ever just going to sit Oregon’s historic 2024 season out. 

Hill — or, Bama Duck (@205duckfan) on X — lives in Locust Fork, Alabama, deep in the heart of SEC country. And yet, his heart belongs to the only undefeated team in the Big Ten. 

Hill grew up 45 minutes from Alabama’s Bryant Denny Stadium and just seven minutes from the high school that produced both Bo Nix and Tez Johnson. Because Nix’s talent often led him to play above his age group, Hill faced Nix on the field several times. 

Hill’s aunt in Madras, Oregon, added him to the Ducks’ fan base at a young age. 

“She said, ‘you’re not going to say “roll tide,”’” Hill said. “She planted the seed and began to water it. She would send me [Oregon] hoodies and tee shirts. It was always this really cool thing. I’d be in this sick Nike gear walking around the high school halls while everyone else was in [Alabama or Auburn] stuff.”

He made his first trip to Autzen in 2018 for one of Oregon’s more historic wins over the Washington Huskies. 

“I said that day ‘inject this into my veins for the rest of my life,’” Hill said. “There will never be another place for me except for the University of Oregon and Autzen Stadium.”

But his claim to fame started amidst Oregon’s incredible 12-0 season. 

Living in Alabama, traveling to the West Coast for games was more of a task for Hill than he’d like. He recalls several trips out to Autzen that forced him and his wife into sleepless nights on airport floors and brutal travel days. 

But, like it did for so many fans, Oregon’s move to the Big Ten changed things for Hill. Road contests in the midwest opened doors for Hill to hit the road and flock to the biggest games. 

He said the total drive time for Big Ten road games is comparable to the total travel time it takes him to fly from Birmingham to Eugene. 

“I looked on Wednesday night and tickets were like $30,” Hill said of the Michigan game. “I said, ‘you ain’t gotta pull my leg. I’ll drive for a $30 ticket to The Big House.’”

So, Hill hit the road. A 10-and-a-half-hour drive to Ann Arbor, Michigan, gave him a chance to see the cathedral the Michigan Wolverines call home. He bought a ticket an hour before game time. For just $13, Hill sat on the 20-yard line at Michigan Stadium. 

A few weeks later, Oregon was preparing for a trip to Madison, Wisconsin. Meanwhile, Hill was plotting a scheme of his own. On a whim, he threw out a post on social media, asking for free gas and support from QuikTrip and CFP analyst Josh Pate.

He told his wife, “If it works, I get to go to the Wisconsin game. If not, I wasn’t going anyway.”

Within 20 minutes, Pate reposted his message. The post exploded overnight. 

“I woke up and there were 651 notifications on my phone,” Hill said. “The whole screen was just Twitter notifications. I’m from a town where my graduating class was the biggest the high school had ever seen with 61 kids. So for thousands of people to be interacting with my Tweet was crazy.”

So, Hill hit the road again. A grueling, 12-hour trek to Camp Randall was rewarded with an ugly win over the Wisconsin Badgers. But, it was the chance to see another iconic stadium and add a chapter to his story.

QuikTrip paid for Hill’s gas to get to and from Camp Randall. He got to see another iconic venue for a minimal cost. 

“To have people stop me on the sidewalk and ask if I was the QuikTrip guy was so cool,” he said. “To be able to be the vessel of what an Oregon fan would love to do, I was just truly humbled.”

While his passion is maxed out, his story continues to grow. Hill said he’s received offers from kind-hearted individuals to pay for rental cars and other travel expenses. He’s working on finding a videographer to help share his story with more than his newfound social media followers. 

“I never wanted to monetize it,” Hill said. “That was never my purpose. That’s kinda where I drew the line. We’re not taking hard-earned money from normal people that are enthralled with my story.”

Now, Hill turns his sights to Indianapolis. He’s making the seven-hour drive from Locust Fork to Indy with his brother and niece. It’ll be both of their first times seeing the Ducks play in person, but for Hill, it’s just the latest stop in what’s become an incredible pattern of unforgettable road trips.