Where Oregon's defense, special teams rank statistically after Week 13

Where Oregon's defense, special teams rank statistically after Week 13Story byBjorn Bergstrom, Ducks WireMon, November 24, 2025 at 2:01 PM UTC·2 min read

Nearly all season long, the Oregon Ducks' defense has been a major driving force behind their wins. And while they made a number of critical situational stops in Week 13, they gave up four touchdowns to the USC Trojans and struggled mightily in pass coverage, as USC quarterback Jayden Maiava threw for 306 yards.

He and the Trojans receivers also drew several pass interference penalties, highlighting a potential weakness of the Ducks' secondary with the ball in the air.

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But as is the case with great football teams, other phases of the team stepped up.

The offense contributed 35 points and 436 total yards while converting on over 50% of their third down opportunities. The special teams unit also came in huge, as Malik Benson, filling in for the injured Gary Bryant Jr., returned a punt 85 yards for a touchdown, breaking a 14-14 tie and giving Oregon a lead in the second quarter that they never relinquished.

After a subpar defensive day and a standout special teams day, let's check out where those units rank nationally in key stats after Week 13.

Scoring Defense: No. 8

Oregon outside linebacker Teitum Tuioti, left, defensive lineman A'Mauri Washington and outside linebacker Matayo Uiagalelei celebrate a sack by Tuioti as the Oregon Ducks host the Minnesota Golden Gophers on Nov. 14, 2025, at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Oregon.

Points allowed per game: 14.5

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Passing Defense: No. 3

Aug 30, 2025; Eugene, Oregon, USA; Montana State Bobcats wide receiver Taco Dowler (14) catches a pass during the first half against Oregon Ducks defensive back Jadon Canady (22) at Autzen Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images

Passing yards allowed per game: 145.7

Rushing Defense: No. 15

Oct 25, 2025; Eugene, Oregon, USA; Oregon Ducks defensive lineman A'Mauri Washington (52) tackles Wisconsin Badgers running back Gideon Ituka (10) during the second half at Autzen Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images

Rushing yards allowed per game: 103.0

Total Defense: No. 3

Sep 6, 2025; Eugene, Oregon, USA; Oregon Ducks linebacker Teitum Tuioti (44) celebrates with linebacker Bryce Boettcher (28) after sacking Oklahoma State Cowboys quarterback Zane Flores (6) during the second half at Autzen Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images

Total yards allowed per game: 248.7

Third Down Defense: No. 27

Nov 14, 2025; Eugene, Oregon, USA; Oregon Ducks defensive back Dillon Thieneman (31) breaks up a pass play intended for Minnesota Golden Gophers tight end Jameson Geers (86) during the first half at Autzen Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images

Third down conversion percentage: 34.0%

Red Zone Defense: No. 126

Oct 11, 2025; Eugene, Oregon, USA; Indiana Hoosiers running back Roman Hemby (1) runs for a touchdown against Oregon Ducks defensive back Dillon Thieneman (31) during the first quarter at Autzen Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images

Red zone conversion percentage: 90.9%

Sacks: No. 95

Oregon outside linebacker Matayo Uiagalelei, right, forces a fumble from USC quarterback Jayden Maiava as the Oregon Ducks host the USC Trojans on Nov. 22, 2025, at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Oregon.

Total sacks: 19

Tackles for Loss: No. 112

Oregon inside linebacker Bryce Boettcher wrangles Wisconsin running back Gideon Ituka as the Oregon Ducks host the Wisconsin Badgers on Oct. 25, 2025, at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Oregon.

Total tackles for loss: 51

Turnovers Gained: No. 50

Oregon defensive back Ify Obidegwu intercepts a pass intended for USC tight end Walker Lyons as the Oregon Ducks host the USC Trojans on Nov. 22, 2025, at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Oregon.

Total turnovers gained: 15

Kickoff Return Defense: No. 44

Aug 30, 2025; Eugene, Oregon, USA; Oregon Ducks linebacker Kamar Mothudi (33) and defensive back Zach Grisham (24) tackle Montana State Bobcats wide receiver Jabez Woods (10) during the second half at Autzen Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images

Average yards per opposing kickoff return: 19.1

Punt Return Defense: No. 2

Aug 30, 2025; Eugene, Oregon, USA; Oregon Ducks defensive back Daylen Austin (0) celebrates after recovering a blocked punt during the first half against the Montana State Bobcats at Autzen Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images

Average yards per opposing punt return: 1.0

Kickoff Returns: No. 75

Aug 30, 2025; Eugene, Oregon, USA; Oregon Ducks running back Noah Whittington (6) catches the opening game kickoff during the first half against the Montana State Bobcats at Autzen Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images

Average kickoff return yards: 20.5

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Punt Returns: No. 27

Oregon’s Malik Benson, right, breaks the Southern California coverage on a punt return on his way to a first-half touchdown Nov. 22, 2025.

Average punt return yards: 12.0

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This article originally appeared on Ducks Wire: Where Oregon's defense, special teams rank statistically after Week 13

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