Oregon vs. Boise State score, takeaways: No. 7 Ducks escape upset-minded Broncos with walk-off field goal

Jeanty for Heisman?

The Heisman Trophy is basically a glorified quarterback award. The last running back to win it was Derrick Henry in 2015, but Ashton Jeanty is making a strong case early in the season. 

Jeanty is Boise State's offense. He put the Broncos on his back in Week 1 with six touchdowns and 267 yards against Georgia Southern, and he was every bit as impressive on Saturday against a top-10 opponent. Whether he can maintain those numbers remains to be seen, but the first two weeks should show the country that he's worthy of consideration.

Oregon's O-line is an issue

For the last two seasons, Oregon's offensive line was among the best in the country. The Ducks allowed 10 total sacks during that span, but through the first two games of the 2024 campaign, they've allowed seven. Oregon lost star center Jackson Powers-Johnson to the NFL Draft, and the early struggles can be chalked up to a new-look unit that is already dealing with injuries and depth issues, particularly at center. 

The Big Ten is known for its physical style of play on both sides of the trenches, so there will be work to do. Oregon's offense relies heavily on quick passes. A veteran quarterback like Dillon Gabriel (who can make fast decisions) should be helpful. If the Ducks are going to reach their ceiling as a national title contender, the OL will have to return to 2023 form.

Explosive plays save the day for Oregon

Lanning mentioned to the broadcast before the start of the second half that he wanted to see his team establish the run. While the Ducks did have a handful of big plays on the ground, the explosive plays through the air and on special teams helped them survive the upset bid. Gabriel hooked up with Traeshon Holden for a 59-yard score to open the half, and Tez Johnson and Noah Whittington had touchdowns on special teams. Oregon has all the weapons to be one of the top offenses in the country, but on this night, the special teams made the difference.

Even after Oregon kicker Atticus Sappington missed a PAT earlier in the half, he was able to redeem himself with the game-winning field goal.

Oregon avoids the upset

FINAL: No. 7 Oregon 37, Boise State 34

You can take Oregon out of the Pac-12, but you can't take the "Pac-12 After Dark" out of the Ducks. Oregon kicker Atticus Sappington drilled a 25-yard field goal and redeemed himself after missing a PAT earlier in the half.

This game was one of the marquee matchups on the slate due to the potential College Football Playoff implications. Boise State is one of the top contenders to earn the Group of Five bid, and this was a missed opportunity to add a top-25 win to its résumé.

Oregon scored on explosive plays on special teams and through the air. Tez Johnson and Noah Whittington had touchdowns on special teams, and Oregon took control of the game on the ground with chunk gains after struggling to establish the run in the first half.

Boise State was led by Heisman Trophy candidate Ashton Jeanty, who finished with 192 yards and three touchdowns. Jeanty scored six touchdowns in Week 1.

Boise State forces a punt

LATE 4Q: No. 7 Oregon 34, Boise State 34

Oregon looked like it was going to be able to move its offense down the field through the air, but Gabriel couldn't connect with Holden on third-and-16. Had Holden caught that, it would've likely been a walk-in touchdown. Instead, Boise State will take over at its own 22-yard line with 4:33 left.

Oregon forces a stop

MID 4Q: No. 7 Oregon 34, Boise State 34

Oregon star defensive lineman Jordan Burch just made one of the biggest plays of the game by bringing down Maddux Madsen for a sack on third-and-long. The Ducks will get the ball back with 6:55 left in regulation.

Oregon responds 

Early 4Q: No. 7 Oregon 34, Boise State 34

Immediately after Boise State retook the lead, Oregon scored on the ensuing kickoff with some special teams magic. Noah Whittington returned the kick 100 yards for a score, and although it did appear he dropped the ball before he crossed the goal line, the referees concluded he did indeed break the goal line.

Boise State has the lead

Early 4Q: Boise State 34, No. 7 Oregon 27

Jeanty is making his (early) Heisman case in front of a national audience against a West Coast powerhouse. Jeanty's 8-yard touchdown gave Boise State the lead back with 10:15 left. It brings him to 183 yards and three touchdowns on the day. Boise State took full advantage of the forced fumble for the second consecutive possession, and that's been the difference.

Boise State forces another turnover

Early 4Q: No. 7 Oregon 27, Boise State 27

We have reached the formerly known as the Pac-12 after-dark stage of this game. Boise State punched the ball out of Gabriel's arm and will take over deep in Oregon territory. With just over 12 minutes left in regulation, this is a huge drive for both sides.

Boise State forces a turnover, Jeanty makes them pay

Early 4Q 3Q: No. 7 Oregon 27, Boise State 27

What. A. Sequence. 

Boise State forced a fumble while Oregon was marching down the field, and Jeanty made them pay with a 70-yard touchdown run on the first play after the turnover. This game is turning into a track meet, and it's been defined by explosive plays by both offenses. Jeanty has 166 yards on the ground and two touchdowns.

Oregon has the momentum

END 3Q: No. 7 Oregon 27, Boise State 20

We have reached the end of the third quarter, and Oregon will head into the fourth with all the momentum. Boise State put together its best drive of the quarter but missed a 55-yard field goal well short in the final minute. Oregon is up to 25 rushing attempts as a team, and it appears they will ride that dimension of the offense to close this one out.

Oregon gets a spark

Late 3Q: No. 7 Oregon 27, Boise State 20

Oregon just got the spark it needed to gain momentum. After Oregon forced another punt, Tez Johnson returned the kick 85 yards to the house for a touchdown. Johnson's punt return marks Oregon's first lead since the opening minutes of the second quarter. Both teams weren't generating much offense (outside of Oregon's long touchdown pass), so this might be a turning point.

Boise State gets a stop

MID 3Q: No. 7 Oregon 20, Boise State 20

While it appears Oregon is committed to running the ball in the second half, holding penalties could hold them back. A big run by James was called back due to a holding penalty on the Oregon OL. Oregon has committed seven penalties tonight.

Oregon forces a punt

MID 3Q: No. 7 Oregon 20, Boise State 20

That's back-to-back stops to open the half for Oregon. The Ducks will take over at their own 4-yard line.

Oregon strikes first in the second half

Early 3Q: No. 7 Oregon 20, Boise State 20

Lanning mentioned he wanted to see his team establish the run in the second half and that's exactly what Oregon did on its opening series. Oregon started the drive with a 10-yard run by star RB Jordan James and picked up big chunks on the ground to move the chains. 

Oregon committing to the run opened up the big play through the air, and Gabriel connected with Traeshon Holden on a 59-yard pitch-and-catch touchdown. You couldn't have asked for a better start to the half if you're Oregon. The Ducks did miss the extra point, so we remain knotted at 20.

Oregon gets a stop

Early 3Q: Boise State 20, No. 7 Oregon 14

Ideal start to open the half for the Oregon defense. Boise State will punt after approaching midfield. Boise State has 13 first downs, while Oregon only has five. We will see how the Ducks' offense looks on their first drive of the second half. Oregon coach Dan Lanning mentioned to the broadcast he wanted to establish the run. Let's see if he can stick to that.

Here we go!

Boise State will open with the football to start the third quarter.

Halftime reset

Boise State leads No. 7 Oregon 20-14 heading into the locker room, and the final 30 minutes of play should be eventual. Gabriel has looked sharp, but Oregon's offensive line isn't the same as the previous two seasons. Oregon's OL allowed 10 total sacks the last two seasons, and through about 90 minutes of game time, that unit has already allowed seven sacks. Oregon's offense thrives when the ball gets out quickly, and it wouldn't be surprising if they call plays designed around that in the second half.

Oregon on upset alert

HALF: Boise State 20, No. 7 Oregon 14

We have reached halftime from Eugene and for the second consecutive weekend, the home team has looked sluggish. Oregon struggled in its season-opener against FCS Idaho but pulled away in the second half to preserve the win. The opponent they're facing this week is a different beast. The Broncos are one of the top contenders to earn the Group of Five bid in the inaugural 12-team College Football Playoff.

Boise State star RB and Heisman Trophy hopeful Ashton Jeanty rushed for 85 yards and a touchdown in the first half. Oregon quarterback Dillon Gabriel was 9 of 10 for 133 yards and a touchdown. Texas A&M transfer Evan Stewart caught four passes for 106 yards and a touchdown.