Oregon Ducks outlast Penn State 30-24 in double overtime

STATE COLLEGE — Ten months later, the Oregon Ducks are still better than Penn State. 

In the rematch of last year’s Big Ten Championship game, the No. 6 Oregon Ducks knocked off the No. 3 Nittany Lions once again, this time 30-24 in double overtime. 

The win, in front of the second-largest crowd in Penn State history (111,015), improved Oregon to 5-0 overall and 2-0 in Big Ten play. 

Maybe more important, it finally gave some substance to a start of the season here in 2025 for a Ducks team that appears to be anything but smoke and mirrors. 

The Ducks outgained Penn State 424-276. They limited the PSU rushing attack, which carved up the Ducks for 297 yards last year in Indianapolis, to 137 yards. And after a second half that saw the Nittany Lions snag all the momentum in the fourth quarter to force overtime, it was the Ducks who held their poise. 

Dante Moore’s 25-yard touchdown pass to Gary Bryant Jr. on Oregon’s first play of the second overtime proved to be the difference, with safety Dillon Thieneman following up with the hammer on the ensuing PSU possession by ending the game with an interception. 

Moore finished with 248 yards, 3 touchdowns and no interceptions. Bryce Boettcher led all players with 12 tackles. 

End of third quarter: Oregon 10, Penn State 3

For a moment, it appeared that Penn State had the big momentum swing: After the Ducks finally reached the red zone, Noah Whittington fumbled on a short-yardage gain, PSU recovered and sent the crowd into a frenzy as the Nittany Lions returned the turnover into Oregon territory. 

But then the ref stepped up, turned on his microphone and sent 100,000 people into a chorus of jeers: The play was under review. 

And after a lengthy wait, it was ultimately determined that Whittington’s knee grazed a blade of grass. No fumble. And that momentum swing? It came on the next play when Moore hit Dierre Hill Jr. for an 8-yard touchdown on a screen pass. 

It was 10-3 Ducks. The crowd went silent. And as we move into the fourth quarter, the Ducks are firmly in control. 

Halftime update: Oregon 3, Penn State 3

We got ourselves a defensive slugfest here in State College. 

PSU and Oregon both picked up field goals in a quarter that was largely controlled by the defensive side of the ball. The Ducks have limited Penn State to just 69 total yards — including just 24 on the ground — while totaling 189 of their own. 

Matayo Uiagalelei has been a wrecking ball for the Ducks so far, tallying a pair of TFLs, a sack and a swatted pass.

The Ducks’ problem? Oregon can’t get it to the red zone. Atticus Sappington missed on one 49-yard try, then managed to convert a 42-yarder to get the Ducks on the board. 

Something to watch on the second half: The Ducks are just 2 of 10 on third down so far, while converting on three of four fourth-down attempts. 

So while, yes, Oregon is moving the ball well, it’s a far cry from last year’s Big Ten title game against PSU when Oregon scored 21 points on its first three possessions. 

Penn State gets the ball to start the second half.

End of first quarter update: Oregon 0, Penn State 0

Quite the interesting first quarter for the Ducks, who moved the ball decently on both of their drives of the quarter until stalling just around midfield. On Oregon’s first drive, the Ducks lined up to go for it on fourth-and-1 before the White Out claimed its first victim — a false start on Oregon’s Jamari Johnson that brought out the punt team.

On Oregon’s second drive, the Ducks went for it two more times on fourth — converting the first before Dante Moore couldn’t scramble for the final yardage on fourth-and-3 on the second to turn the ball over on downs.

On the positive for the Ducks: Oregon forced Penn State to go three-and-out on its first drive. The Nittany Lions currently have the ball at midfield, facing third-and-long.

Pre-game update: Hey all, Tyson Alger here checking in from the press box of Beaver Stadium. This is my 12th season covering college football and, even before the game has started, this is already the coolest college football environment I’ve ever seen. Everyone is in white, the tailgates seemingly went on for miles in every direction and boy does this stadium fill up early. Every seat was filled more than 30 minutes before kickoff.

We got ourselves an excellent game coming up on our hands. Enjoy.

To note: Oregon running back Noah Whittington is healthy and not listed on the injury report. Meanwhile, fellow running back Makhi Hughes did not make the trip.

Follow along for Tyson’s updates during the game.