The Ducks’ first game in the Big Ten didn’t go as hoped. Oregon won 24-14 against a tough Idaho team in their opener, but the performance didn’t meet expectations. Now, the No. 7 Ducks will have a chance to prove themselves at home on Saturday night when they face Boise State.
The Ducks had trouble running the ball due to issues with the offensive line and also made some defensive mistakes. However, coach Dan Lanning believes these problems can be fixed.
“Defensively, we allowed some big plays, even though they had fewer possessions than us. We had 87 snaps, and they had 48. We had the ball more, but we weren’t making the big plays that lead to success,” he said. “Fixing this involves effort, finishing plays, and correct techniques.
We need to analyze and understand what went wrong and then adjust our practice plans to address these issues.”
New quarterback Dillon Gabriel, who transferred from Oklahoma and is being mentioned as a Heisman candidate, shone in the game. He completed 41 of 49 passes for 380 yards and two touchdowns. His 41 completions were a personal best and tied an Oregon record.
Oregon started the season ranked No. 3 in the preseason AP Top 25 but fell in the rankings after their close game with Idaho. Although they were heavy favorites against Idaho, they are now 20-point favorites against Boise State.
Boise State won their opener on the road against Georgia Southern with a score of 56-45. The Broncos have been eagerly waiting for this game against Oregon.
“This game is one of those special ones,” said Boise State coach Spencer Danielson. “Our team has been looking forward to playing Oregon since last season ended. Right after the bowl game, it was all about Oregon 2024. That’s what college football is about. This is why you come to Boise State — for chances like this.”
