In the heart of Indianapolis, under the glow of Lucas Oil Stadium’s lights, the No. 1 Oregon Ducks marched into their first Big Ten Championship Game on Saturday night and left as undisputed conference kings. The Ducks outdueled No. 3 Penn State 45-37 in a fast-paced, high-stakes shootout to cap their first season in the Big Ten with a perfect 13-0 record.
This was a clash of titans, a barnyard brawl where offense reigned supreme and defense rode in late to save the day. Oregon quarterback Dillon Gabriel led the charge, throwing for 283 yards and four touchdowns, while Tez Johnson put on an unforgettable show, slicing through Penn State’s defense with 11 catches for 181 yards and a touchdown for a new Big Ten championship game record and MVP honors.
By the time the dust settled, the Ducks, the only undefeated team in FBS, had punched their ticket to the College Football Playoff as the top seed.
Tez Johnson’s Record-Breaking Night
In a game loaded with fireworks, Johnson shone the brightest. The Ducks’ fleet-footed star receiver was elusive, mercurial and wily, averaging 16.5 yards per catch and making defenders look like bumbling extras in a bad spaghetti western.
Whether darting across the middle, zigging and zagging, or turning upfield to rack up yards after a catch, Johnson, easily the most dynamic player on the field, embodied Oregon coach Dan Lanning and the Ducks’ explosive, no-holds-barred style.
In a back and forth exchange of blows between two of the country’s most explosive offenses, Johnson’s 48-yard touchdown in the third quarter was a pivotal moment in the game, a catch-and-run masterpiece that extended Oregon’s lead to 38-24, forcing the Nittany Lions into fruitless chase mode.
Gabriel’s Commanding Presence
Gabriel, calm and sharp as ever, orchestrated Oregon’s offense with the patience and precision of a grisled veteran, completing 22 of 32 passes and connecting for touchdowns with Johnson, Kenyon Sadiq (twice), and Terrance Ferguson.
Oregon tight end Kenyon Sadiq races toward the end zone against Penn State on Saturday night during the Big Ten Championship Game. Photo by Eric Becker
Gabriel, performing on one of college football’s largest stages, never allowed the pressure of the moment to rattle him. When Penn State’s defense closed in, Gabriel answered with quick, accurate and timely throws, including a critical fourth-down completion to Ferguson in the fourth quarter to keep a decisive drive alive.
Penn State’s Counterpunch
The Nittany Lions came out firing, refusing to be mere supporting characters in Oregon’s story. Running backs Kaytron Allen and Nicolas Singleton racked up a combined 225 rushing yards, with Allen breaking free for 124 yards and a touchdown on just 14 carries. Singleton added 101 yards on 10 carries and a 22-yard touchdown catch.
Penn State’s Harris Wallace III makes a catch during the Big Ten Championship Game on Saturday night in Indianapolis. Photo by Eric Becker
Penn State quarterback Drew Allar had moments of brilliance, throwing for 236 yards and three scores, but he also threw two costly interceptions. The first, a lapsed throw in the second quarter, was picked off by Dontae Manning and returned to the 1-yard line, leading to an easy Oregon touchdown. The second came with just under two minutes left in the game, as Allar tried to force a deep ball that Oregon’s Nikko Reed plucked out of the air to seal the victory.
A Game of Big Plays and Momentum
This game wasn’t a battle — it was a brawl. Both teams traded haymakers in the first half, combining for a Big Ten Championship record 55 points. Oregon started fast, scoring touchdowns on its first three possessions, including a 28-yard strike from Gabriel to Sadiq, who hurdled a defender en route to the end zone.
The Ducks capitalized on a Penn State turnover in the second quarter when Dontae Manning intercepted Allar and returned the ball to the 1-yard line, setting up a Jordan James touchdown that pushed the lead to 28-10.
James finished with 87 yards rushing and two touchdowns. Fellow backfield running back Noah Whittington added 82 rushing yards on 15 carries, including a long of 26 yards.
But Penn State refused to fold. The Lions clawed their way back from an early 18-point deficit to make it 31-24 at halftime. Allar found Nicholas Singleton for a 22-yard touchdown, then led back-to-back scoring drives to cut Oregon’s lead to 28-24 late in the second quarter.
Just when it seemed like the Nittany Lions might wrestle away momentum, Johnson came alive, weaving through defenders for a dazzling 25-yard catch-and-run to set up a Ducks field goal before halftime.
Oregon defensive lineman Derrick Harmon (55) in the trenches against Penn State in the Big Ten Championship Game on Saturday night in Indianapolis. Photo by Eric Becker
Penn State had chances in the second half, but a missed field goal and a failed two-point conversion left the Nittany Lions chasing their tails. The third quarter saw Oregon flex its offensive muscle once again. After Penn State missed a 42-yard field goal that could have tied the game, Gabriel connected with Johnson for a 48-yard touchdown that extended the Ducks’ lead to 38-24.
Penn State’s final push came with under four minutes to play. Allar engineered a 13-play, 75-yard drive, connecting with Harrison Wallace III for a 14-yard touchdown to pull within eight points. But the Oregon defense stood tall. On Penn State’s next possession, Allar launched a deep ball, only to see Reed undercut the route and end the Nittany Lions’ hopes.
The Nittany Lions managed to cut the deficit to eight points twice in the fourth quarter, but Oregon’s 12-play, 75-yard drive — capped by a bruising 3-yard touchdown run from James — put the game out of reach.
Defense Shaky but Saves the Day
While the offenses stole the spotlight, Oregon’s defense made the plays that arguably mattered most. Manning’s early interception swung momentum, and Reed’s late pick sealed the win. The Ducks also forced Penn State into critical mistakes, including penalties and missed opportunities on special teams.
Despite giving up 292 rushing yards — the most allowed by Oregon this season — the Ducks held firm in key moments. A fourth-quarter stop on a Penn State two-point conversion attempt preserved Oregon’s 38-30 lead, and Gabriel’s offense did the rest.
Oregon’s Nikko Reed made a game-sealing interception late in the fourth quarter to help the win Ducks clinch their first Big Ten crown. Photo by Eric Becker
The Road Ahead
With their first Big Ten title secured, the Ducks march into the College Football Playoff as the No. 1 seed and favorites to win it all. For Oregon, this season has been about rewriting history and setting the stage for greatness. The wild west brawl in Indianapolis was just the latest chapter in their story.
Penn State exits with heads held high with a nearly certain playoff spot. But on this night, in this shootout, the Ducks stood tall, the fastest draw in the Big Ten. For Oregon, it was the perfect ending to a dream regular season and the first giant step into the postseason. The Ducks are now the undisputed kings of the Big Ten and the only undefeated team in the FBS.
As the clock struck zero and the Ducks celebrated their perfect season, one thing was clear: Oregon doesn’t just belong in the Big Ten — the Ducks are running the show. The road to the national championship now runs through Eugene, and judging by the way the Ducks played Saturday night, it’s hard to imagine anyone stopping them.
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Jordan is a lifelong Duck fan currently living in San Diego. Jordan graduated from The Evergreen State College in Olympia, Washington, after serving a prestigious fellowship with the Washington State House of Representatives. Upon graduation, he worked as an English language teaching assistant for the Spanish Ministry of Education’s Ambassadorial Program in Monforte de Lemos, Spain. Jordan has worked as a journalist, writer, and editor in Oregon, Washington, Montana, and California, covering a wide range of topics, including sports, local politics, and crime. He is VERY excited to be writing about his beloved Oregon Ducks.