Football: Montana State Recap | Addicted To Quack

After a long off-season of anticipation Football season has finally arrived! To kickoff the season the Ducks took on the Bobcats from Montana State. Montana State is an FCS powerhouse,

Oregon got the ball to start the game and Dante Moore got the call to lead the offence as many expected. The first play of the game the offensive line got a great push and Noah Whittington hit an explosive run to get the Ducks offense moving early.

The Ducks continued to pound the ball at Montana State on the ground putting the new look offensive line to the test and early on the running game was operating clinically with 5 successful runs. Jayden Limar would cap of the drive with a 16 yard rush he would bounce to the outside to get into the endzone.

Montana State’s first drive would get started at their own 21 yard line and it was time to see the much anticipated Duck defense. Montana State came out and threw the ball on their first two plays which was a surprise to me, but the Ducks were ready and were able to force a 3 and out after a big run stuff on 3rd down.

On the ensuing punt the special teams even got into the action getting a hand on the ball to partially block the kick and set-up the Ducks 2nd drive with great field position.

True freshmen Dakorien Moore got his first collegiate touch of the ball on a jet sweep and once again the Ducks offence was rolling. Dante Moore would flip a short pass to Kenyon Sadiq on the outside for what appeared to be a chain moving efficiency play, but Sadiq decided to take things into his own hands by using his strength to shed off a small Bobcat DB and sprint to the end-zone to give the Ducks a very early 14-0 lead.

The Ducks defense picked up right were they left off on their first drive as well, forcing another Montana State 3 and out.

And just like their first opportunity the punt return team could not be contained. Jeremiah Mcclellan got in to fully block the punt and set the Ducks offence up goal to go.

The Montana State defense was able to get its first stop of the game though and force Oregon to settle for a field goal attempt which Atticus Sappington was able to easily put through the uprights to extend the Ducks lead.

Emmanuel Pregnon did have a Bobcat player land on him awkwardly on the 3rd down play and needed to be evaluated in the locker room. He was walking on his own and did return to the sideline with his helmet on.

After the Bobcats were able to move the ball into Oregon territory with a couple of passes to Taco Dowler the Ducks were able to stop the Bobcats on the ground 3 straight times to make a big stop and turn the Bobcats over on downs.

Dante Moore was able to hit Malik Benson over the middle for a chunk yardage play to get the Ducks 4th drive started.

The Offence continued methodically moving the ball down the field until true freshmen Jordan Davison was called upon to convert on 4th and 1 and then punch the ball into the end zone.

The Duck defense continued to stonewall the Bobcats, forcing their 3rd 3 and out on the Bobcats 4th drive of the day.

Dante Moore would lead the Ducks on another efficient drive taking what the defense was giving him and matriculating the ball down the field. When you can get the ball to athletes like Kenyon Sadiq and Dakorien Moore that are more than happy to jump over defenders if needed usually that will lead to good things.

Noah Whittington was able to punch the ball into the Endzone to make it a 31-0 game.

The Bobcats were able to string a couple of first downs together on their 5th drive of the game, again finding ways to get the ball to Taco Dowler. With Montana State at the Oregon 23 yard line Matayo Uiagalelei stepped up to pick up his first sack of the season and get the Bobcats behind the chains.

Oregon would get the stop and force the Bobcats to settle for a Field Goal attempt which the Bobcats kicker put through the uprights to get Montana State on the board. But the Duck offence had time for it’s first one minute drill of the season.

Dante Moore operated it like an absolute pro going 4/5 on the Drive and capping it off with a passing touchdown to Malik Benson with 3 seconds left on the clock.

That would take the game into halftime with the Ducks up 38-3 and in full control of the game. Every phase of the team was operating just as you would want to start the season. Oregon wasn’t taking any deep shots in the passing game to really show off Dante Moore’s ability to hit some rail shots but I was happily impressed with his ability to operate Stein’s offence and take what the Bobcat defense was giving him. When you score a TD on 5 of the 6 first half possessions I think it is safe to say the QB is having a good day.

What really stood out to me was the depth of Oregon’s skill talent. 4 different RB’s had carries and that didn’t even include Makhi Hughes which was shocking to me. 7 different pass catchers had a reception showing that this might be the year Oregon deploys a deep rotation of receivers.

Meanwhile the defense had an excellent first half as well forcing a 3 and out on 3 of the 5 first half drives and keeping Montana State out of the end-zone

Montana State got the ball to start the 2nd half and put a nice drive together into Oregon territory. Once again thanks to Taco Dowler who at this point in the game was giving me some Cooper Kupp vibes. Once again though the Ducks defense would hold and force Montana State to kick a 41 yard field goal to make it a 38-6 game.

Montana State had forced Oregon into a 3rd and long looking to force their first punt of the day. But as Jake Butt eluded to on the broadcast Dante Moore was able to get the Bobcat defense to show their hand, promptly make a check, and then find a wide-open Jay Harris out of the backfield to move the Ducks into the red zone. The very next play Gary Bryant Jr. would break a tackle on a screen pass and trot into the end-zone for Oregon’s 6th TD of the game.

After Montana State picked up a first down Oregon had forced them into a 3rd and long where they were attempting to set-up a screen. A mis-communication happened though and Lamson was forced to hang on to the ball and Matayo was able to pick up his second sack of the game.

The Ducks 2nd drive of the half saw Austin Novosad get into the game to get some valuable reps in case he is needed to be called upon at some point this season. And after his first pass slipped out of his hand he was able to hit a deep shot down the sideline to Kyler Kasper to set up first and goal. Jordan Davison was able to to punch it in on the next play for his 2nd TD of the game.

That essentially ended the 3rd quarter and the Big Ten Network gave us our first glimpse of Shout for the 2025 season. Duck fans are in mid-season form.

Now it was time for some young players to get in on defense and freshmen Nasir Wyatt was able to pick up his first career sack to end the Bobcats ensuing drive.

Luke Moga entered the game at QB on the next drive. He immediately showed off his patented speed with a read option keep for 28 yards. The Ducks continued picking up big chunks on the ground with younger Running Backs Da’Jaun Riggs and Dierre Hill. The Ducks did get stopped at the 1 yard line though to force a 4th and goal. Goalline specialist Jordan Davison came into the game to pick up his 3rd TD of the game for the Hat Trick.

With Oregon playing a full set of back-ups and developmental players on defense Montana State was able to march the field and score there first and only TD of the game.

Oregon would run out the clock on the ensuing possession and the first football game of the season would come to a close Oregon 59 Montana State 13

Overall it was about as great of a performance by the Ducks that fans could ask for, all phases of the team had a great day. Even though the competition will get stiffer Montana State still offered a good test for the opener and I still fully expect them to be a contender at the FCS level. Additionally not everyone in the B1G has been able to comfortably take care of weaker competition in week 1

Here are the final efficiency, and explosive rate differentials by half

Explosive Rate +6% Oregon

Explosive Rate +17% Oregon

And the final Yards Per Play Differntial for the game +3.70 Oregon