So, if you’ve been living under a rock or just somehow missed the carnage of the last few months, the oregon ducks 2025 football schedule just wrapped up its regular run, and honestly? It was a total fever dream. We all knew moving into the Big Ten was going to be a gauntlet. But seeing it actually play out—with the travel miles stacking up and the literal "Welcome to the Midwest" weather shifts—was something else entirely.
Dan Lanning’s squad finished the regular season sitting at a pretty incredible 13-2 overall. That’s not just a "good" year; it’s a "holy crap, we actually belong here" year. The Ducks didn't just survive the transition; they basically treated the Big Ten like their own personal playground for most of the fall.
The Non-Conference Warmup (Or Lack Thereof)
The season kicked off on August 30 at Autzen against Montana State. Easy win, right? Yeah, 59-13. It was basically a glorified practice. But then things got real, fast. Oklahoma State rolled into Eugene on September 6, and everyone thought it would be a shootout. Instead, Oregon just absolutely dismantled them 69-3. It was one of those games where you almost felt bad for the Pokes by the third quarter.
Then came the weird one. The Civil War (or whatever we’re calling the Oregon State game these days) happened on September 20. It feels so wrong playing that game in September, doesn't it? Usually, we’re freezing our tails off in late November for this, but 2025 had us in Autzen with the sun still out. Ducks won 41-7, keeping the bragging rights in Eugene for another year.
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Surviving the Big Ten Road Trip From Hell
The real story of the oregon ducks 2025 football schedule was the travel. Think about the logistics for a second. One week you're in Eugene, the next you're in Piscataway, New Jersey.
On September 27, the Ducks headed to Happy Valley to face #3 Penn State. This was a rematch of the 2024 Big Ten Championship, and it lived up to every bit of the hype. It took two overtimes, but Oregon escaped with a 30-24 win. That was the moment most of us realized this team was legit. You don't just walk into a White Out and win unless you're built differently.
But the road eventually bites back. After a massive 56-10 win at Rutgers and a gritty 21-7 homecoming victory over Wisconsin, the Ducks hit a wall in mid-October.
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The Indiana Problem
Look, nobody had Indiana being a powerhouse on their 2025 bingo card. But on October 11, the #7 Hoosiers came into Autzen and did the unthinkable. They beat us 30-20. It was a weird, sloppy game where Oregon just couldn't find a rhythm. It’s funny because we ended up seeing them again much later in the postseason, but that October loss was a cold shower for a fanbase that thought we might go undefeated.
How the Regular Season Rounded Out
After the Indiana hiccup, the Ducks went on a tear.
- At Iowa (Nov 8): A 18-16 defensive slugfest. Typical Kinnick Stadium weirdness.
- Minnesota (Nov 14): A Friday night lights special at home. 42-13.
- USC (Nov 22): The Trojans came to town and got handled 42-27. Seeing USC in the Big Ten still feels like a glitch in the matrix.
- At Washington (Nov 29): The finale. Nothing beats beating the Huskies in Seattle to end the year. 26-14.
The Playoff Run and Coaching Shakeups
By the time the regular season ended, Oregon was locked into the College Football Playoff. They hosted James Madison in the first round on December 20, winning 51-34. Then came the Orange Bowl on New Year's Day. Oregon shut out #4 Texas Tech 23-0. A shutout in a New Year's Six/Quarterfinal game? That’s unheard of in the modern era.
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Unfortunately, the ride ended on January 9, 2026, in the Peach Bowl. A rematch with Indiana. This time, the Hoosiers didn't just beat the Ducks; they hammered them 56-22. It was a rough way to go out, especially after such a dominant season.
Right after the season ended, Dan Lanning didn't waste any time dealing with the coaching carousel. With Will Stein and Tosh Lupoi moving on, Lanning promoted from within. Drew Mehringer is the new Offensive Coordinator, and Chris Hampton is taking over the Defense. It's all about continuity. Lanning clearly wants to keep the culture exactly where it is rather than bringing in an outsider to reinvent the wheel.
What’s Next for the Ducks?
The 2025 season proved Oregon is a top-tier Big Ten power. Period. They aren't just "visiting" the conference; they're the ones setting the pace. With Dylan Raiola coming in via the transfer portal and Kenyon Sadiq turning into arguably the best tight end in the country (he broke the school record for catches by a TE this year), the talent is there.
If you're looking to stay ahead of the curve for the 2026 season, keep an eye on the spring game dates usually announced in February. You'll want to watch how Mehringer's offense evolves with Raiola under center. Also, keep tabs on the defensive secondary—even though they led the nation in pass breakups this year, they’re losing some key vets to the NFL draft.
The best thing you can do right now is secure your 2026 season ticket deposits on the official GoDucks site. The demand is only going up, and Autzen is going to be even harder to get into next year.