In the marquee matchup of the weekend, the No. 7 Oregon Ducks came up short in their game with the No. 5 Michigan State Spartans, losing 31-28.
Vernon Adams Jr., in his second start for the Ducks, passed for 309 yards. But, he was intercepted twice, which proved costly.
Here’s a breakdown of the game.
Key plays:
- Royce Freeman pounded the ball in for a 2-yard touchdown run on Oregon’s first drive of the game.
- 1:08 later, Michigan State scored a touchdown of its own on a 12-yard pass from Connor Cook to Josiah Price. The play was preceded by a 62-yard run by running back Madre London.
- With 1:36 left in the first quarter, Michigan State missed a field goal that woud’ve put them up 10-7.
- Cook completed a 17-yard touchdown to Aaron Burbridge with 13:45 left in the half, giving the Spartans a 14-7 lead.
- With under ten minutes left in the first half, Freeman is stuffed at the goal line on 4th and 1, as Michigan State retained its 14-7 lead.
- Facing pressure, Adams completed a pass with his left hand to Addison. On the following play, Adams threw his second interception, giving the Spartans the ball with 4:22 left in the half.
- After the Ducks forced a 3-and-out on the opening drive of the second half, Addison returned a punt 81 yards to tie the game at 14.
- On 4th and 6, Cook completes a 21-yard pass to Burbridge, setting the Spartans up on Oregon’s six yard line. LJ Scott would score on a rush in the ensuing play, retaking the lead for Michigan State.
- The Spartans took 5:29 to score 36-yard a field goal with 1:08 left in the third, taking a ten-point lead.
- After Adams scored on a 2-yard rush, the Spartans drove 65 yards on three plays. The drive was capped by a Scott 38-yard touchdown run.
- On 4th and 2, Adams rushed, but was called short of a first down after two replays, giving the ball back to the Spartans with 7:53 left in the game.
- Adams finds Byron Marshall in the endzone for a 15-yard touchdown pass, cutting the Spartans’ lead to 31-28 with 3:25 left.
- Oregon forces a three-and-out to force a MSU punt with 2:27 left in the game.
- Oregon, on 4th and 17, fails to covert, handing the ball over to the Spartans with 59 seconds remaining.
Oregon passing
Vernon Adams Jr.: 22-of-39 for 302 yards, 1 touchdown and 2 interceptions
Michigan State passing
Connor Cook: 20-of-32 for 192 yards, 2 touchdowns and 1 interception
Oregon rushing
Royce Freeman: 24 carries for 92 yards, 1 touchdown
Tony Brooks-James: 3 carries for 20 yards
Vernon Adams: 14 carries for 6 yards, 1 touchdown
Michigan State rushing
Madre London: 18 carries for 103 yards
LJ Scott: 11 carries for 76 yards, 2 touchdowns
Oregon receiving
Bralon Addison: 7 catches for 139 yards
Charles Nelson: 7 catches for 79 yards
Byron Marshall: 3 catches for 41 yards, 1 touchdown
Michigan State receiving
Aaron Burbridge: 8 catches for 101 yards, 1 touchdown
Macgarrett Kings Jr.: 6 catches for 48 yards
Josiah Price: 2 catches for 23 yards, 1 touchdown
Turnovers
Oregon: Ugo Amadi (1 interception)
Michigan State: Montae Nicholson (1 interception), RJ Williamson (1 interception)
Oregon total offense: 432 yards
Michigan State total offense: 390 yards
