Top-Ranked Powerhouse Nearly HUMILIATED in Shocking Home Scare

Liberty Check

• No. 2 Oregon survives stunning upset bid from unranked Boise State in season opener, escaping with 34-27 victory
• Ducks trailed or tied deep into fourth quarter before clutch 62-yard touchdown sealed narrow win
• Oregon extends nation’s longest home nonconference winning streak to 39 games despite shaky performance

No. 2 Oregon barely escaped disaster in its 2026 season opener Saturday, surviving a gut-wrenching scare against unranked Boise State. Despite entering as heavy favorites, the Ducks found themselves locked in a 27-27 tie deep into the fourth quarter.

The Ducks ultimately held off a resilient Broncos squad when wide receiver Dakorien Moore hauled in a clutch 62-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Dante Moore, putting Oregon ahead for good. Oregon held on to win 34-27 and extend its home winning streak against nonconference opponents to 39 games, the longest active streak in the nation.

Boise State quarterback Maddux Madsen delivered a statement performance with 181 passing yards and three touchdowns. Despite Saturday’s loss, Madsen showed he can build on last year’s solid campaign when he threw for 2,334 yards and 18 touchdowns. The Broncos, who join the rebuilt Pac-12 Conference this year, went 9-5 last season in the Mountain West.

Boise State drew first blood, with Madsen hitting Cam Bates with a 13-yard scoring pass to cap an 11-play opening drive. The Ducks tied it on Jordon Davison’s 1-yard dive early in the second quarter.

After Evan Stewart muffed a punt and the Broncos recovered, Sire Gaines scored on a 37-yard reception to give Boise State the lead again. Canaan Moore added a 29-yard field goal to extend it with less than three minutes left before halftime.

With just 19 seconds remaining in the half, Dante Moore found Jamari Johnson with a 27-yard pass to close the gap to 17-14 at the break. After Gage Hurych’s 26-yard field goal, Oregon went ahead on Jeremiah McClellan’s 8-yard touchdown catch.

But the Broncos tied it up again before the end of the third quarter on Madsen’s 7-yard scoring pass to Matt Wagner. Hurych and Canaan Moore traded field goals in the fourth quarter before Dakorien Moore’s game-winning touchdown sealed Oregon’s narrow escape.

Oregon travels to Stillwater next week to face Oklahoma State. Boise State will host Memphis in Week 2.

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