Oregon erases 14-point deficit, stuns No. 20 Northwestern

Unranked Oregon fell behind No. 20 Northwestern by two touchdowns before halftime, then took over the second half and won 34-26 at home. Oregon trailed 20-6 with 1:53 left in the second quarter, pulled within 20-13 by halftime and won the fourth quarter 14-3.

Northwestern controlled the first half.

Oregon then closed to 23-20 by the end of the third quarter.

The turn came early in the fourth quarter. Oregon's Brandon Smith ran 2 yards for a touchdown with 14:19 left, and the extra point put the Ducks ahead 27-23 for good. Smith finished with 82 rushing yards on 8 carries, a career high that topped his previous best of 71.

Dylan Raiola threw 3 touchdown passes without an interception, and Dakorien Moore caught 7 passes for 128 yards and 2 scores, a career high that topped his previous best of 93. Moore's longest catch went for 75 yards.

Northwestern moved the ball all day, with 456 total yards to Oregon's 441, and held it for 35:54. Northwestern's Aidan Chiles ran for 93 yards and a touchdown, a career high that topped his previous best of 83, and Griffin Wilde caught a touchdown pass.

Oregon also won the sack and penalty battles. The Oregon defense recorded 3 sacks, above its 2.0 a game, while Northwestern did not record a sack after averaging 1.9 a game. Oregon was flagged for just 5 penalty yards, far below its 54 a game.

The takeaway

Oregon: The Ducks improved to 5-3 and 3-2 in conference, winning despite holding the ball for only 24:06.

Northwestern: The Wildcats fell to 6-2 and 3-2 in conference after a clean game that included no turnovers and 35 penalty yards, better than their 54 a game.

Up next

Oregon: The Ducks play at No. 2 Ohio State on Saturday, Nov. 7.

Northwestern: The Wildcats host Iowa on Saturday, Nov. 7.