Dentist in Oregon, WI

The No. 6 Oregon Ducks are heading into a bye week with a 7-1 record, going 4-1 in the Big Ten, and one of the biggest standouts for the team is the defense. After the matchup against Wisconsin and the loss to Indiana, one weakness is starting to emerge on Oregon's defense.

The Ducks defense as a whole has been one of the most dominant units, but when broken down, the Ducks struggle in the red zone. Oregon’s defense ranks No. 134 in the country for red zone scoring percentage, which is tied for last in the nation, per ESPN. The defense ranks No. 132 in opponent red zone touchdown percentage.

Oregon defensive coordinator Tosh Lupoi walks the field during the Oregon Ducks’ Spring Game Saturday, April 27. 2024 at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Ore. / Ben Lonergan/The Register-Guard / USA TODAY NETWORK

Oregon’s lone loss of the season was against the No. 2 Indiana Hoosiers, and the Ducks lost the game 30-20. All three of Indiana’s touchdowns came from inside the red zone.

Why Oregon's Defense Must Step It Up In The Red Zone

As the Oregon Ducks seek a College Football Playoff appearance, this weakness could hurt the program come the postseason. If Oregon does make the CFP, the Ducks will be going up against the other top programs in the nation. Once their opponent makes it into the red zone, that could be why the Ducks are knocked out of the postseason.

Oct 25, 2025; Eugene, Oregon, USA; Oregon Ducks head coach Dan Lanning encourages players during warm ups before a game against the Wisconsin Badgers at Autzen Stadium. The Ducks are wearing uniforms celebrating the Grateful Dead. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images / Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images

The Wisconsin Badgers had gone two straight games without scoring a touchdown, but they were able to score against Oregon after making it to the red zone.

On the positive side, Oregon’s defense has been strong enough that they have done well limiting how often teams make it to the red zone. Ducks’ opponents have made it into the red zone 13 times this season, which is the third fewest in college football.

Oregon’s Defense Having Dominant Season

Oregon Ducks inside linebacker Bryce Boettcher walks off the field as the Oregon Ducks host the Oregon State Beavers Sept. 20, 2025, at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Oregon. / Ben Lonergan/The Register-Guard / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Aside from the challenge of stopping teams in the red zone, Oregon’s defense is having a big season under defensive coordinator Tosh Lupoi. They have allowed just 42 total points in the first three quarters of games this season, which has been a major reason for the Ducks’ success this year.

Aside from the touchdown, the Ducks stood strong against the Wisconsin Badgers through tough weather conditions. The defense allowed just 196 yards of total offense, 110 rushing and 86 passing, and forced one interception. It is the first time that Oregon has held its opponent to under 100 yards in back-to-back games since at least 1996.

One of the biggest reasons for the team’s success is linebacker Bryce Boettcher returning to the program for another season. He leads the team with 63 total tackles, three passes defended, one interception, and one forced fumble.

Oct 11, 2025; Eugene, Oregon, USA; Oregon Ducks head coach Dan Lanning arrives with players before the game between the Indiana Hoosiers and the Oregon Ducks at Autzen Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images / Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images

Boettcher is a player who can affect the play whether he makes the tackle or not. Defensive back Aaron Flowers is No. 2 on the team with tackles, and has just 38 total compared to Boettcher’s 63.

The defense this season has racked up 14 sacks, 40 passes defended, nine interceptions, three of which were a pick-six, six forced fumbles, and three fumble recoveries.

While the Ducks may struggle with their red zone defense, it is a challenge for an opponent to make it that far down the field. With four games remaining of the regular season, this is the moment for Oregon to find a way to fix its biggest weakness ahead of a potential CFP run.

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The No. 6 Oregon Ducks are 7-1, going 4-1in the Big Ten, following a win against the Wisconsin Badgers, 21-7. Despite inclement weather and an injury to quarterback Dante Moore, Oregon coach Dan Lanning and the Ducks got the win at home.

The Wisconsin Badgers limited Oregon to just 21 points, but they scored their first touchdown since Oct. 4. After the game, Wisconsin coach Luke Fickell spoke about the loss against the Oregon Ducks.

Fickell Voices Frustration On Team's Discipline vs. Oregon

“We try to pride ourselves on being disciplined, and that was one of those things tonight that we’re not going to win a football game, especially against a team like this on the road if we can’t play more discipline. We can’t eliminate some of those big penalties. I think that stands out to me more than anything else.” Fickell said.

“This is a tough one to swallow again. But, tougher because I thought we put ourself in a position where we had an opportunity. And, I thought defensively, you know, our guys came to play. I thought they, from the very get-go of the surprise onside that they recovered, that those guys went out there and didn’t bat an eye and stopped them,” Fickell said. “Battled their butts off the whole first half. Really battled the whole time.”

“There’s something to be proud of. There’s also some things to be disappointed in. We can't play undisciplined. We can't have as many penalties as we have. We can't give them more opportunities on third down. We can’t make really poor decisions. One of our seniors to get ejected. That's not an aggressive mistake,” Fickell said.

“I don’t want to complain about calls, but the first play of the second half for 35 yards or whatever it is, I mean, it’s not even, it’s ridiculous to be honest with you. Right there on the edge, that they don’t call. But to be honest, even that last drive in the first half. They started to find a little bit of something inside, and I don’t know exactly what it was, but they found some movement up front and did a good job,” Fickell said.

“I think some of that maybe kind of got a wear and tear on us a little bit there at the end of the first half, a little bit in the second half.”

Fickell Addresses Quarterback Decision Against Oregon

“There was, there was. And we thought about it again and talked about it before the game, too. Just based on, ‘Hey, if the first couple drives don’t go, we want to give Danny, get him in there and get him an opportunity.’ As we were rolling, I didn’t ask as much until halftime. I think the conditions of things make it difficult to throw another guy in there that hasn’t taken the snaps, hasn’t been in that situation.”

“Whether it was the pouring, whether it was the wind blowing sideways. I mean, there was a lot of other factors. But it might be one of those ones where you kind of go back and kick yourself to say, ‘Damn, I think there’s some opportunities there for Danny.’ We’re going to need Danny down the stretch. We need Danny to stick with us and stay with us and see how this thing roles.”

Fickell On The Team’s Performance vs. Oregon

“Those young guys stepped up tonight. They, I think they, against just from obviously the watching it from the side, I haven't looked at the film or anything yet, but those guys played really well,” Fickell said.

“I know the guys in front of them, the defensive line guys really respect them and not just because the way they play, but the way that which they lead and how they help those guys upfront. There’s just some natural things about them, and to be honest with you, I think they played pretty darn good tonight,” Fickell said.

“They do a darn good job. I mean, it’s a really good team, but a really good defense. I mean, you were there. The conditions were very difficult to throw the football in. And not to mention, a team that pressures a bit. So, they’re kind of a twofold. You know, your defense is playing as well as they are,” Fickell said.

“I think that there’s one of those things where, look, we can’t just sit here and think we’re going to score seven points and win a football game. But there is, you know, a little bit of the nature of where we are and what we’re doing and the conditions in which they are,” Fickell continued. “Again, you have to be able to throw the ball better, but it was a tough night to be able to throw the football.”

“Scoring points, yeah, it matters. You’re not going to win football games if you score seven points, probably. But you got to score seven before you can score 10. And you got to score 10 before you score 14. And at some point in time, we have to find a way to string these things together, get better, and score more points,” Fickell said.

“We weren’t able to do it tonight well enough. Tonight, in tough conditions against a really good defense. But we got to expect more.”

“There’s a balance to what we’re trying to do, and sometimes those shots can put you in a position where you’re right back to where you started. Whether it’s second and 10 or it’s a turnover, but I think more than anything we got to gain confidence in our ability to take some of those shots,” Fickell said. “They still have to be taken in order to loosen things up.”

“Tonight was a harder time to do it because for most of the game, or half of the game, the conditions were not conducive to take much of any shots, but we’re not going to be able to line up there and run the ball for 250 yards against a team like that unless we can loosen some things up down the field.”

Fickell On How The Team Will Handle Loss To Oregon

“You walk in that locker room as disappointed as you are and as much as you want to, you know, lose your mind, and you look at those guys’ eyes and there’s no, they’re not batting an eye, they’re not blaming each other,” Fickell said. “They understood what this mountain was going to look like. I think the mountain has gotten a hell of a lot bigger than even what we thought from the get-go.”

“But it’s not hard for me to go in there and look in some of those seniors’ eyes and realize they got one month of college football left. And to give them everything I got,” Fickell said. “I think the young guys feel the same way.”

Oregon Face Adversity

In addition to the weather, Oregon Ducks quarterback Dante Moore suffered an injury in the third quarter after taking a hit to the head. Moore did not go back into the game, though he was seen wearing his helmet on the sideline after spending 15 minutes in the tent.

Quarterback Brock Thomas took over in Moore’s place. Between the weather and Moore exiting the game, the Ducks' offense primarily ran the ball. Thomas attempted and completed just four passes for 46 yards and one touchdown.

Running back Jordon Davison led the team with 102 rushing yards and two touchdowns, having a standout performance against the Badgers. Running back Noah Whittington also had a big game with 97 rushing yards.

While it was not the most dominant performance that Oregon has had this season, the program showed grit in tough weather and through Moore's injury and was able to move on to seven wins.

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EUGENE, Ore. - The No. 12 Wisconsin volleyball team answered back to take down Oregon (26-28, 25-23, 25-22, 27-25) at the Ducks' home arena for the first time in program history, winning three-straight sets in Eugene to sweep the weekend.

The Badgers (15-3, 8-2) found their rhythm early on in set one, leaping out to a 13-4 behind two lengthy runs, highlighted by the serving runs of outside hitters Grace Egan and Mimi Colyer.

The Ducks (13-7, 4-6) were quick to respond though, as they exploded for a 7-0 run and took their first lead of the match at 19-18 later in the first set. The teams continued to trade rallies, but the Oregon offense was able to pull through and secure a victory in extra points and win 28-26.

UW put together a resilient effort in set two, falling behind early before coming back to tie the match. The Ducks led late by a score of 20-17, as the Badgers fought back by winning five of the next six rallies to take a 22-21 lead.

Oregon provided three errors down the final stretch to allow Wisconsin to knot up the match at 1-1 entering set three.

Neither team could find much separation in the third set, as Colyer's 10th kill of the afternoon gave the Badgers a 15-14 advantage. The senior has turned in double-digit kill totals in 17 matches this year, finishing the day with a team-high 18.

Wisconsin found some separation with the help of defensive specialist Maile Chan, who brought a spark on the defensive end. Chan notched a dig that led to a kill from outside hitter Una Vajagic, in addition to providing a strong serve to get the Ducks out of system and close out set three with a 25-22 final score.

Oregon enjoyed a 4-1 run in the middle of set four to create a 14-9 lead, utilizing their advantage throughout the majority of the set. The Badgers responded with a late flurry with the help of a service ace from Egan, followed by an attack error to tie it up at 24-24 and force extra points for the second time on the day.

UW took advantage of a service error to get the lead at 26-25, and then used a free ball to set up Colyer for her final kill at Matthew Knight Arena, concluding her return to her former school—flying from the back row to put the Ducks away with a 27-25 score.

The Badgers went on to win their second-straight match in four sets, going undefeated on their west coast trip for the second consecutive year.

Vajagic was steady on the offensive end with 13 kills and six digs, turning in a .375 hitting percentage, good for her highest mark in the conference slate.

The middle blockers for UW continued to be efficient, as the combination of seniors Carter Booth and Alicia Andrew were the sparks on the front row. Booth tied a season-high nine kills with only one hitting error, while Andrew finished with a swinging percentage of .750 (6 - 0 - 8).

Libero Kristen Simon continued to excel on the defensive end, leading the Badgers with 14 digs. The freshman has earned double-digit digs in nine consecutive matches.

To round out Wisconsin's top performers, setter Addy Horner turned in her second-highest number of assists on the year with 44.

Straight from the Court Head Coach Kelly Sheffield (on continuing to grow): "We were in this similar match against USC last week at our place, and I thought the only other thing is being able to have a match like that on the road. And, that was this. It was a battle, proud of our kids and how they stuck with it and just battled."

Outside Hitter Mimi Colyer (on what the Big Ten Conference brings): "Every night in the Big Ten is going to a battle, we saw such a close game. That could have been anyone's game and I think we're going to see that throughout the rest of Big Ten play. It's such a good conference, it's the best conference for volleyball."

Notes:

Up Next: The Badgers will welcome No. 1 Nebraska (20-0, 10-0) to the UW Field House on Friday, Oct. 31. The match is set to start at 8:00 p.m. CT on Halloween and will be televised on Big Ten Network, as UW looks to hand the Cornhuskers their first blemish of the season.

Fans of the Oregon Ducks have been a bit temperamental so far this year, watching Dan Lanning's squad with a hot-and-cold nature, reacting to each week of action. In certain weeks, the Ducks are national championship contenders, better than any team in the land. In others, like on Saturday night after a 21-7 win over the Wisconsin Badgers, the sentiment is that Will Stein and Tosh Lupoi deserve to be fired.

It turns out that ESPN's Football Power Index is just about as temperamental as the fanbase. Earlier this year, the Ducks jumped to No. 1 in the FPI rankings after their win over the Oklahoma State Cowboys. They stayed at that top spot for a few weeks, but then fell drastically after the loss to the Indiana Hoosiers.

Then a win over Rutgers caused Oregon to leap back to No. 2 in the nation, where we now see them move down once again, despite the win over Wisconsin.

For those unfamiliar with ESPN’s FPI, it is an index that “relies on past performance on offense and defense, returning and transfer production, and past recruiting data for players on the roster to form a rating.” In essence, it’s ESPN’s way of declaring the top teams in the nation, examining their rosters, schedules, and winning percentages, and ultimately determining where they stand after the season concludes.

In short, it examines Oregon's 2025 schedule and predicts the percentage of wins the Ducks should achieve. Throughout the year, the numbers change based on past performance, injuries, and other variables. While it may not be perfect, it provides a glimpse into how deeper metrics evaluate the team. Let's take a look at what the numbers say going into the Week 10 bye for Oregon:

Oregon Ducks at Iowa Hawkeyes — Week 11

Oregon Percent Chance to Win, per FPI: 69.0%

Previous Percent Chance to Win: 76.4%

Analysis: Like many years before, Iowa appears to have a very solid defense, with a very average offense, despite all of the preseason hype for transfer QB Mark Gronowski. The environment at Kinnick Stadium will be special, but I think Oregon has enough talent to win this game, and they should be rested and healthy coming off the bye week.

For more Iowa news and analysis, check outHawkeyes Wire!

Oregon Ducks vs. Minnesota Golden Gophers — Week 12

Oregon Percent Chance to Win, per FPI: 95.8%

Previous Percent Chance to Win: 95.1%

Analysis: A return home will be nice for Oregon after a taxing trip to Iowa. While Minnesota is decent this season, the Ducks project as a team that should handle this game with relative ease.

Oregon Ducks vs. USC Trojans — Week 13

Oregon Percent Chance to Win, per FPI: 70.8%

Previous Percent Chance to Win: 72.3%

Analysis: USC looks like one of the most impressive teams in the Big Ten, and despite a loss to Notre Dame last week, they are still a very good team. Luckily, Oregon gets this game at home, but it certainly looks like a classic Ducks vs. Trojans showdown is shaping up.

For more USC news and analysis, checkout Trojans Wire!

Oregon Ducks at Washington Huskies — Week 14

Oregon Percent Chance to Win, per FPI: 75.3%

Previous Percent Chance to Win: 79.2%

Analysis: Another one of Oregon's big road games, this time in late November. The Ducks will have to go to Seattle and face what could be a resurgent Washington team, potentially with a spot in the College Football Playoff conversation on the line. Rivalry week should be fun once again.

For more Washington news and analysis, checkout UW Huskies Wire!

Overall Oregon Ducks Season Outlook

Percent Chance to Win Out: 26.5%

Previous FPI %: 30.2%

Percent Chance to Win Conference: 5.7%

Previous FPI %: 8.0%

Percent Chance to Make College Football Playoff: 74.5%

Previous FPI %: 75.8%

Percent Chance to Make National Championship: 16.2%

Previous FPI %: 20.0%

Percent Chance to Win National Championship: 7.3%

Previous FPI %: 10.4%

Contact/Follow on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on to follow ongoing coverage of Oregon Ducks news, notes, and opinions.

The No. 6 Oregon Ducks hosted the Wisconsin Badgers on a rainy night in Eugene, turning Autzen Stadium into a slippery battleground for the Big Ten showdown. After a sluggish offensive first half, Oregon managed to eke out just a 7-0 lead, leaving fans anxious as the Ducks struggled to find rhythm against a resilient Badgers defense.

Then, anxieties rose.

In the third quarter, Oregon quarterback Dante Moore left the field for the medical tent after taking a hit to the head. Moore was struck in the helmet during a tackle, and his nose appeared to be bleeding heavily. The injury immediately raised concern among fans, who watched as trainers quickly attended to him.

Backup quarterback Brock Thomas took over in his place.

Oregon Coach Dan Lanning Addresses Dante Moore Injury

After the game, Oregon coach Dan Lanning addressed Moore's injury and said they probably could have put him back in the game but felt it was a good opportunity for Thomas to step up.

"Dante (Moore) got dinged. Think he's gonna be in great shape," Lanning said.

"I think we could have pushed to get him back in, but he's gonna be good. He had a bloody nose, he got hit pretty good, but it looks like he's in great shape," Lanning continued.

The change in quarterback added a new layer of tension to the closer-than-expected game, testing Oregon’s depth and Thomas' readiness in a high-pressure situation.

Moore spent about 15 minutes in the tent before emerging with his helmet on. He did not re-enter the game. The video of the play is below.

Before leaving the game, Moore was 9-of-15 for 86 yards with zero touchdowns and zero interceptions. He added four carries but lost 13 rushing yards.

Oregon now has a bye week, which should benefit Moore after the hard hit. Then, the Ducks travel to play the Iowa Hawkeyes on Nov. 8.

Backup Quarterback Brock Thomas

Thomas is a redshirt sophomore from Eugene, Oregon. He attended Sheldon High School, the same school that former Oregon quarterback and current Los Angeles Chargers star Justin Herbert went to.

Oregon coach Dan Lanning revealed that Thomas has won the backup role over returners Austin Novosad and Luke Moga.

Back in April, Lanning sat down with Oregon Ducks on SI reporter Bri Amaranthus to discuss Moore’s personality and approach. Moore, who transferred from UCLA to Oregon in December 2023, immediately caught Lanning’s attention with his patience and work ethic while learning behind Heisman Trophy finalist Dillon Gabriel.

The coach praised Moore’s ability to stay focused and adapt, highlighting the leadership qualities that made him a standout addition to the Ducks’ roster.

“Dante has all the ability in the world, has the arm talent,” Lanning told Amaranthus. “I’ve been really pleased with his intelligence to get us checked into a positive play."

"He's calm, collected. He plays with a swagger out there, which I think you want to have in a quarterback. He's done a really, really good job of that… He has a mentality right now about how he wants to go attack things,”

Moore has shown patience throughout his collegiate career, and it is proving to pay off with his performance. Heading into week 9, Moore has passed for 1,686 yards and 19 touchdowns. He has thrown just four interceptions and has a completion percentage of 72.3. Moore has also rushed for 144 yards, and he is showing good decision-making, which is leading to big wins for the Ducks.

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