IOWA CITY, Iowa — In a thrilling finish, No. 9 Oregon edged out No. 20 Iowa 18-16 thanks to a 39-yard field goal by Atticus Sappington with just three seconds remaining.
Dante Moore, the Ducks’ quarterback, played a key role in the final drive. He completed five passes for 47 yards, leading to Sappington’s decisive kick. Overall, Moore had a tough outing, throwing for only 112 yards with one interception.
Iowa’s Mark Gronowski had a strong moment, scoring on a 3-yard touchdown run that briefly put the Hawkeyes ahead 16-15. They attempted a two-point conversion to extend the lead, but Gronowski’s pass fell incomplete.
Noah Whittington stood out with 118 rushing yards, contributing to the Ducks’ extended road winning streak, which is now at 11 games—the longest in the FBS.
Both teams showcased their defensive strengths. Iowa entered the game with one of the top defenses in the nation, allowing just 12.4 points per game, while Oregon isn’t far behind at 13.5. Oregon’s Dierre Hill Jr. also found the end zone with a 19-yard touchdown run. In an unusual play, the Ducks scored a safety after Iowa punter Rhys Dakin made an illegal kick.
The game was tight throughout, and Iowa didn’t go down easily. They even matched their longest field goal in program history with a 58-yarder from Drew Stevens late in the game. Despite their loss, the Hawkeyes’ resilience showed, especially with a nearly seven-minute advantage in time of possession.
For more insights on the impact of this game on the College Football Playoff (CFP) picture, check out this analysis from ESPN.
