Earlier in the week, Dan Lanning broke character, if only for a second, when talking to the press. He admitted that this game against the Washington Huskies means a bit more to him. Because of how things started during his tenure in Eugene, and because he went 0-3 against the Oregon Ducks' biggest rival before finally notching one in the win column, this game against the Huskies holds a special weight.
So when that weight was lifted on Saturday night to the tune of a 26-14 win in Husky Stadium, Lanning was able to take a breath and look back on the 11-1 Oregon season — now with a clinched spot in the College Football Playoff — and smile.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisement"Those locker rooms are fun," Lanning said when sitting down at his press conference.
It's not hard to imagine the scene behind those closed doors. After going to battle down a handful of starting players on offense once again, Oregon didn't waver and was able to control the game against Washington for four full quarters, ultimately landing the kill shot with a 64-yard touchdown from Malik Benson on a critical 3rd and 9 midway through the fourth quarter, which stretched the Ducks' lead from five to 12 points.
Now, the Ducks can look forward to a week off, a chance to get healthy, and a wait as they let the College Football Playoff chips fall around them. Before we get to the coming weeks, though, let's dive in and enjoy this win over Washington. Here are some of our biggest takeaways from the game:
A Perfect College Football Playoff Path
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - NOVEMBER 29: Head coach Dan Lanning talks with Dante Moore #5 of the Oregon Ducks during the first half at Husky Stadium on November 29, 2025 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)Things played out pretty perfectly for the Oregon Ducks on Saturday. The morning started with a somewhat tense game between the Michigan Wolverines and Ohio State Buckeyes, with the outcome impacting the Ducks in a major way. Had Ohio State lost, then Oregon would have gotten into the Big Ten Championship Game following a win over Washington. However, the Buckeyes won in a blowout, and Duck fans breathed a sigh of relief.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementWhy? Because a trip to Indianapolis on a short week is not exactly what this Oregon team needs right now, considering how banged up they are. With a spot already clinched in the College Football Playoff, and likely one of the most coveted seeds — No. 5 or No. 6 — the Ducks didn't stand to gain much with a game against Indiana. A win could get them to a top-4 seed and a first-round bye, but without the bye, Oregon will still have almost three weeks of rest between now and their first-round playoff game.
As things stand now, the Ducks also will host a playoff game at Autzen Stadium, likely against the No. 11 or No. 12 seed, which is presumably going to be either the ACC Champion or the Group of Six champion. In either case, the Ducks project to be sizable favorites in that game.
After getting a bit of the short end of the stick because of the playoff seeding a year ago as the No. 1 seed, it appears, early on, at least, that Oregon's favor is turning this year, with a pretty ideal path ahead of them.
Demons Were Exorcised
Nov 29, 2025; Seattle, Washington, USA; Oregon Ducks defensive back Jadon Canady (22) intercepts a pass intended for Washington Huskies wide receiver Denzel Boston (12) during the first half at Husky Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-Imagn ImagesThe last time Oregon played up here in Seattle, some things happened.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementIt was Dan Lanning's second year as the head coach of the Ducks, and Bo Nix led a No. 8-ranked team against the No. 7 Huskies. The final score, as many Oregon fans will unfortunately remember, was 36-33, Washington, thanks to a missed field goal at the horn from Camden Lewis.
That's not the only thing that went wrong for Oregon on that day, though. Lanning was ridiculed endlessly for his aggressive play-calling and decision-making after the team went 0-for-3 on 4th downs, giving up points in crucial situations.
So with the Ducks to return in 2025 and, in turn, go 2-for-3 on 3rd downs, and watch Atticus Sappington knock through all four of his field goals, it felt a bit redemptive.
Hail to Automatticus
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - NOVEMBER 29: Atticus Sappington #36 of the Oregon Ducks kicks a field goal against the Washington Huskies during the first half at Husky Stadium on November 29, 2025 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)Any Oregon fan knows that the Ducks' relationship with kickers has been a bit up and down over the last few decades, to say the least. On top of that, kicking in Husky Stadium is hard to do, especially because of the wind coming off of Montlake. That was no problem for Atticus Sappinton, though, who was called upon in several big moments and had the best game of his career, knocking through all four of his field goal attempts, including a career-high 51-yarder.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThis makes two of the last four games where Sappington has played a huge role, calling back to the Iowa game earlier this month when he knocked in three field goals, including the game-winner late in the fourth quarter.
It's well known that the Ducks have a dynamic offense that makes them hard to defend, but if they can also enter the postseason with confidence in their kicking game, it adds another level of danger to this team that could make them a tough out in December and January.
Malik The Freak
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - NOVEMBER 29: Raiden Vines-Bright #7 of the Washington Huskies is called for pass interference against Malik Benson #4 of the Oregon Ducks during the first half at Husky Stadium on November 29, 2025 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)It's been said many times before, but a lot of Oregon fans owe wide receiver Malik Benson an apology. After he transferred to Oregon this offseason and had a bit of a rough showing in the Ducks' spring game, fans were waving him off as a non-factor in this offense. He's been anything but, though, stepping up routinely in huge moments and making plays for the Ducks.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementHe had a couple of massive conversions against Washington, taking a pass on 4th and 2 for a big gain, and then breaking the game open with his touchdown in the fourth quarter. With the Ducks leading just 19-14 with 7:55 left in the game, Moore found Benson over the middle of the field on 3rd and 9 for what looked like a nice gain. And then, Benson appeared to shoot out of a cannon, weaving through defenders and going 64 yards for a touchdown to provide the dagger for the Huskies.
Benson finished with five catches for 102 yards and a touchdown in this game.
While the Ducks have been without both Dakorien Moore and Gary Bryant Jr., Benson has stepped up in a massive way, and he's been one of the most important players on the offense this season.
The Caucasian Collision Unit
Oregon defensive lineman Bear Alexander, left, and Oregon defensive back Dillon Thieneman bring down Washington quarterback Demond Williams Jr. as the Oregon Ducks take on the Washington Huskies on Nov. 29, 2025, at Husky Stadium in Seattle, Washington.You just have to respect good branding when you see it.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementAfter the game, Bryce Boettcher and Dillon Thieneman strolled to the podium with matching smiles and matching t-shirts. The shirts, reading "CCU" feature images of both Boettcher and Theieneman alongside each other in a green and yellow graphic.
"It stands for 'Caucasian Collision Unit,'" Boettcher told me after the game. "That's what we've taken to calling ourselves."
The Caucasian Collision Unit played well on Saturday, making a statement in Seattle. Boettcher became the first Duck since 2021 to notch 100 tackles in a season, finishing with a team-high 10 tackles vs. Washington. Thieneman added seven tackles and had a game-sealing interception in the fourth quarter.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementWatch Out For Nasir Wyatt
Oregon outside linebacker Nasir Wyatt sacks Washington quarterback Demond Williams Jr. as the Oregon Ducks take on the Washington Huskies on Nov. 29, 2025, at Husky Stadium in Seattle, Washington.True freshman edge-rusher Nasir Wyatt hasn't had a ton of snaps this year, but when he's on the field, he has been electric. He opened up this game with a massive sack on Demond Williams attempted naked bootleg on the opening drive of the game, setting the tone for the defensive line. Wyatt has five QB pressures and two sacks, both of which came over the past two weeks. While he may not be ready for a three-down role quite yet, he has shown early in his career that he can be an impact player and a dynamic rusher off the edge that the Ducks haven't seen for quite a while. The future is very bright for No. 32.
"It's Gonna Be Scary"
Nov 14, 2025; Eugene, Oregon, USA; Oregon Ducks wide receiver Dakorien Moore (1) watches teammates warm up before a game against the Minnesota Golden Gophers at Autzen Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-Imagn ImagesAll season long, Dan Lanning has talked about trying to peak at the right time and have his team playing their best football at the end of the year. That's easier said than done, but Oregon has been pretty successful when it comes to putting together impressive wins down the stretch, all without a handful of their starters available, as well.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementNow, with a couple of weeks off before the College Football Playoff begins, they have a chance to rest up and recover before the postseason begins. With that in mind, Malik Benson spoke some truth after the game on Saturday.
"It's going to be real scary when we get all of our guys back," Benson said.
This Oregon team has proven that it can play winning football throughout the month of November, and they've done so without their top two pass-catchers, Dakorien Moore and Gary Bryant Jr., on the field. When you add in the potential that Evan Stewart might return as well, then the Ducks' offense gets really dangerous. It will be something to watch over the next couple of weeks as we prepare for the postseason.
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AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThis article originally appeared on Ducks Wire: 7 takeaways from Oregon Ducks' rivalry win over Washington Huskies
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