Oregon players lament mistakes made in win against Boise State: ‘We didn’t play our best’

Oregon quarterback Dillon Gabriel, right, celebrates a first quarter touchdown against Boise State at Autzen Stadium in Eugene Sept. 7, 2024.

For the second week in a row, Oregon’s coach and players were being asked Saturday night to explain themselves after an error-prone performance.

“We didn’t play our best,” wide receiver Tez Johnson said. “We had a lot of mistakes on the field. Always, you wanna go 1-0 each week.”

Then mission accomplished, as the No. 6 Ducks improved to 2-0 with a 37-34 nonconference victory against Boise State inside Autzen Stadium.

A crowd of 58,134 witnessed a game taken to the very end of regulation as kicker Atticus Sappington’s 25-yard field goal split the uprights as the game clock expired to deliver the win for the Ducks.

“You know, I just did my part, and Coach always talks about doing one-eleventh and I take pride in that,” said Sappington, the transfer from Oregon State. “That was my whole mindset going in, doing my one-eleventh to go help win the game for the team.”

The kick was the first game-winner of his career — including high school — for the junior from Central Catholic High School in Portland.

“It’s pretty surreal,” Sappington said. “It’s one of the best feelings I’ve had in my entire life.”

It certainly made the Ducks feel better about themselves, especially on a night the offense struggled (again).

Oregon finished with just 352 yards, went 4 for 12 on third downs, had nine penalties for 74 yards, lost two fumbles and had another at the goal line following a 99-yard kickoff return by Noah Whittington that would’ve negated a touchdown if teammate Jayden Limar hadn’t alertly recovered the loose ball.

Oregon running back Noah Whittington carries the ball 100 yards on a kickoff return as Oregon defeated Boise State, 37-34, Saturday night at…

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/oregon-players-lament-mistakes-made-110357932.html

Author : The Register-Guard

Publish date : 2024-09-08 11:03:57

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