Oregon Secures CFP Hopes with Last-Second Field Goal Win Over Iowa
No. 9 Oregon maintained its College Football Playoff (CFP) aspirations with a dramatic 18-16 victory over No. 20 Iowa. The decisive moment came in the final seconds when Atticus Sappington successfully completed a 39-yard field goal on a rainy Saturday afternoon in Iowa City.
Game Highlights
Oregon’s quarterback Dante Moore orchestrated a critical 10-play, 54-yard drive to set up Sappington’s game-winning kick. Moore’s performance included a key 24-yard completion to Malik Benson that put the Ducks in scoring position.
Iowa’s Strong Effort
Iowa quarterback Mark Gronowski gave the Hawkeyes a fleeting 16-15 lead with a 3-yard touchdown run, capping an impressive 12-play, 93-yard drive. However, their attempt for a two-point conversion failed when Gronowski’s pass fell incomplete.
- Final Score: Oregon 18, Iowa 16
- Oregon Record: 8-1, 5-1 Big Ten
- Iowa Record: 6-3, 4-2
Oregon’s Defensive Strength
The game was characterized by strong defensive performances from both teams. Iowa entered the contest ranked fourth nationally, allowing an average of 12.4 points per game, while Oregon followed closely at sixth with an average of 13.5 points allowed.
Key Player Performances
- Dante Moore: 112 passing yards, one interception.
- Noah Whittington: 118 rushing yards.
- Dierre Hill Jr.: Scored via a 19-yard touchdown run in the second quarter.
- Drew Stevens: Kicked a 58-yard field goal for Iowa, matching the longest in program history.
Other Notable Statistics
Oregon secured a safety during the game when Iowa’s punter Rhys Dakin committed an illegal kick trying to clear a bad snap. Despite the loss, Iowa held a time-of-possession advantage of nearly seven minutes.
Conclusion
This victory not only keeps Oregon’s CFP hopes alive but extends their road winning streak to 11 games, the longest active streak in the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS). Meanwhile, Iowa’s playoff aspirations took a significant hit after this narrow defeat.
