No. 1 Ducks end up strong, last longer than pesky Badgers

• Jake Trotter, ESPN Senior WriterNov 17, 2024, 12:44 AM ET

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  Jake Trotter covers college football for ESPN. He signed up with ESPN in 2011. Before that, he worked at The Oklahoman, Austin American-Statesman and Middletown (Ohio) Journal papers. You can follow him @Jake_Trotter.

MADISON, Wis.– Oregon had yet to score a goal Saturday night when “Leap Around” shrieked throughout Wisconsin’s Camp Randall Stadium, signaling the start of the fourth quarter.The top-ranked Ducks routed and dealt with fourth-and-9. Oregon coach Dan Lanning considered taking a hold-up of game penalty and punting. Rather, he put his rely on quarterback Dillon Gabriel. And as soon as again, the Heisman Trophy competitor delivered.Unable to find an open receiver, Gabriel rushed left before threading a travel through a trio of Wisconsin protectors into the chest of tight end Terrance Ferguson for an initially down at the Badgers 26-yard line. 3 plays later on, the Ducks scored their only touchdown.That was all need they required. Oregon survived with a 16-13 victory to stay unbeaten.According to

ESPN Research, the Ducks are the only team in the country to win three times this season after routing by a minimum of 6 points in the 4th quarter. They are also just the seventh team in the AP Poll age(since 1936) to begin 11-0 with 3 wins by 3 or fewer points. Oregon rallied for wins against Boise State and Ohio State by a combined margin of 4 points.”It’s hard to win. Huge plays require to occur in huge minutes,”said Gabriel, who passed for 218 yards versus the Badgers.” Winning games are hard, and we have a group that knows how to win. That just speaks volumes about the guys we have.”Editor’s Picks 2 Associated The Ducks didn’t make it easy.Oregon twice settled for basket in the very first half after guaranteeing drives. Gabriel likewise had a pass tipped and intercepted on

first-and-goal

. With Oregon’s offense scuffling, the Badgers gradually

took control with a systematic rushing attack led by running back Tawee Walker, who completed with 97 yards.The Badgers led 13-6 to start the 4th quarter and appeared

headed for their very first win over a No. 1 group because falling Ohio State in 2010. But momentum swung back in Oregon’s favor after”Leap Around, “Wisconsin’s famed custom

. The Ducks played the song all week during practice to prepare them for the trip.To start the fourth quarter, Lanning informed Gabriel to take the hold-up of game penalty if the Badgers revealed zone protection against Oregon’s triple slant play.”[ They] were in the appearance that we liked, and after that they in fact took a look at of that appearance,

“Lanning stated.”But our guys did a good job of carrying out the scramble drill.”We probably had a little good luck there– and an outstanding play by Dillon to keep it alive and find somebody down the field. “2 ownerships later on, the Ducks included the winning field goal. Gabriel’s 8-yard scramble on third down assisted establish a chip shot for kicker Atticus Sappington, who nailed the 24-yard attempt with 2:36 to play.Oregon’s defense did the rest, requiring a turnover on downs then tipping a ball that resulted in an interception on Wisconsin’s last drive.The Ducks will have a bye before hosting Washington on Nov. 30 in the regular-season ending. If they win, they will have an opportunity to secure the No. 1 seed in the College Football Playoff with another

triumph in the Big Ten national championship.” We can handle defining moments, “Lanning said. “We can handle when it is difficult, and at

some point, that experience is going to settle for us. It definitely settled for us this evening. “