EUGENE, Ore. — In a thrilling season opener, Dante Moore showcased his skills by throwing for 378 yards and three touchdowns, leading No. 2 Oregon to a hard-fought 34-27 victory against Boise State on Saturday. The game marked the beginning of the 2024 college football season for both teams, and Oregon's resilience was on full display as they overcame a sluggish start.
The Ducks found themselves in a tight contest after exchanging field goals, ultimately tying the game at 27 in the fourth quarter. With just under eight minutes remaining, Dakorien Moore made a pivotal 62-yard touchdown reception, propelling Oregon ahead for good with 7:51 left on the clock.
Oregon has now extended its remarkable streak to 16 consecutive season-opening wins at Autzen Stadium, further solidifying their dominance at home. The Ducks also boast an impressive 39-game winning streak against nonconference opponents at home, the longest active streak in the nation.
“I think we’ve learned a lot this offseason. There’s been times our practice where the offense has started super slow, and coach (Dan) Lanning said, ‘Hey, it’s adversity. What you gonna do?’ So it all just comes back to how we respond,” Dante Moore commented after the game. His decision to remain at Oregon followed a standout previous season where he threw for 3,565 yards and 30 touchdowns, contributing to the Ducks’ 13-2 record.
Despite the victory, Oregon faced challenges, including committing 10 penalties for a total of 90 yards. However, they outgained Boise State significantly, amassing 497 total yards compared to the Broncos' 274. Coach Lanning acknowledged the need for improvement in critical situations, stating, “We won the game with total yards and some situations, but we didn’t really win the critical situations.” He noted that Boise State excelled in special teams and on fourth down plays, which allowed them to stay competitive throughout the game.
Boise State, under the leadership of returning quarterback Maddux Madsen, demonstrated their own offensive capabilities. Madsen threw for 181 yards and three touchdowns in the opener, following a solid season in which he passed for 2,334 yards and 18 touchdowns. The Broncos, who are now part of the restructured Pac-12, finished the previous season with a 9-5 record in the Mountain West and participated in the LA Bowl.
The game began with Boise State striking first, as Madsen connected with Cam Bates for a 13-yard touchdown pass, concluding an impressive 11-play, 75-yard drive. Oregon quickly responded with Jordon Davison's 1-yard touchdown run early in the second quarter, leveling the score. However, after a muffed punt by Evan Stewart, the Broncos capitalized, with Sire Gaines scoring on a 37-yard reception, regaining the lead. Canaan Moore's 29-yard field goal extended Boise State's advantage just before halftime.
With only 19 seconds left in the first half, Dante Moore found Jamari Johnson for a 27-yard touchdown pass, narrowing the gap to 17-14 at the break. The first half echoed the previous meeting between the two teams in 2024, where Oregon also trailed at halftime but managed to secure a victory.
As the game progressed, Oregon took the lead with Gage Hurych's 26-yard field goal and Jeremiah McClellan's 8-yard touchdown catch. Boise State responded once again, tying the game with a 7-yard touchdown pass from Madsen to Matt Wagner. The fourth quarter saw both teams exchanging field goals before Dakorien Moore's decisive touchdown sealed the Ducks' win.
Broncos coach Spencer Danielson reflected on the team's performance, stating, “You put your all into something, you put all the chips on the table, and you come up short — it hurts.” He emphasized the importance of accountability and improvement moving forward.
As the season progresses, Boise State will host Memphis next Saturday, while Oregon prepares for a challenging matchup against Oklahoma State.
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