Oregon rallies from slow start, thwarts Boise State's upset bid in season opener
Oregon Ducks edge Boise State Broncos 34‑27 in season‑opener
The Oregon Ducks claimed a hard‑fought victory over the Boise State Broncos on Saturday, the first game of the 2026 college‑football season. A 34‑27 win kept the Ducks’ home streak against non‑conference opponents at 39 games— the longest active run in the country – and gave the Pac‑12 newcomers a season‑opening win.
Oregon, the heavy favorites heading into the matchup, fell into a 27‑27 tie with Boise State in the fourth quarter, but a 62‑yard touchdown by wide receiver Dakorien Moore off a pass from quarterback Dante Moore turned the game in their favor.
The game opened with Boise State taking an early lead. Quarterback Maddux Madsen found tight end Cam Bates for a 13‑yard completion to cap an 11‑play drive, giving the Broncos a 7‑0 start. Oregon answered with a one‑yard rushing touchdown by Jordon Davison, tying the game at 7‑7.
After a muffed punt by Evan Stewart and a subsequent Broncos recovery, Sire Gaines hauled in a 37‑yard catch for a score, putting Boise State back up 14‑7. Boise State extended its advantage with a 29‑yard field goal by Canaan Moore less than three minutes before halftime, giving the Broncos a 17‑14 edge.
With 19 seconds remaining in the first half, Oregon’s Dante Moore connected with Jamari Johnson for a 27‑yard pass, narrowing the deficit to 17‑14 at the break. In the second half, a 26‑yard field goal by Gage Hurych put Oregon ahead 17‑14, and an eight‑yard touchdown reception by Jeremiah McClellan turned the lead into 24‑17.
Boise State answered late in the third quarter; Madsen’s 7‑yard touchdown pass to Matt Wagner knotted the score at 27‑27, forcing the game into the final period. In the fourth quarter, both teams traded field goals: Hurych for Oregon and Canaan Moore for Boise State. With the score locked, Oregon’s Dante Moore launched a 62‑yard bomb to Dakorien Moore, giving the Ducks a 34‑27 lead that held to the final whistle.
Madsen finished the game with 181 passing yards and three touchdowns, a performance he says he can build upon this season. He finished last year with 2,334 yards and 18 touchdowns and led Boise State to a 9‑5 record in the Mountain West.
Oregon’s win extends its home winning streak against non‑conference opponents to 39 games, the longest active streak in the nation. The Ducks head to Stillwater next week to face Oklahoma State, while Boise State will host Memphis in Week 2.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
