Through the first 12 games of the season, the Oregon defense has recorded a total of 13 interceptions and nine forced fumbles. Several of those takeaways were major turning points in close games, and others just served as the cherry on top to a game that had already been decided. The Daily Emerald looked back at five of the best defensive plays from the 2025 regular season.

No. 5: Brandon Finney pick-six vs. Indiana

Not a lot went right for Oregon in its Week 7 matchup against the Hoosiers, but there is no doubt what its biggest moment in the game was. Early in the fourth quarter with the Ducks trailing by seven, the true freshman defensive back picked off eventual Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Fernando Mendoza and returned it 35 yards for Oregon’s only pick-six of the season thus far. This moment created a roar at Autzen Stadium that could be heard all across Lane County. The only reason it isn’t ranked higher is because it was the last time Oregon put any points on the board that day — Indiana scored 10 unanswered points to hand the Ducks their only loss so far this season.

No. 4: Jadon Canady end zone interception vs. Washington

Late in the first quarter of Oregon’s Week 14 rivalry game against the Huskies, the Ducks were on top, 3-0. They were on the verge of losing the lead, though, as Huskies quarterback Demond Williams Jr. took a shot to the end zone, only to be picked off by Oregon’s nickelback, who leaped, reached and pulled the ball down in the end zone. The pick set up the Ducks’ first touchdown drive, and they were in full control of the game the rest of the way.

No. 3: Ify Obidegwu gives Oregon an extra possession in a shootout vs. USC

The Ducks and Trojans had been trading touchdowns in the Week 13 high-scoring affair between two West Coast power offenses until Oregon’s redshirt freshman defensive back picked off a deep pass from quarterback Jayden Maiava. In addition to stopping USC from tying the game again, it set the Ducks up to take a two-touchdown lead into halftime. Oregon maintained the lead the entire second half.

No. 2: Brandon Finney and Bear Alexander kill scoring drive in narrow victory vs. Iowa

There was very little margin for error in Oregon’s 18-16 win over the Hawkeyes in Week 11. The Ducks were ahead five points midway through the third quarter. Iowa was 14 yards away from taking the lead when Finney punched the ball free. Alexander was the first to react to the loose ball and sent the Hawkeyes’ offense to the sideline with zero points. Nine plays later, the Ducks tacked on three more. Had Iowa held onto the ball, Oregon could be in a very different situation right now.

No. 1: Dillon Thieneman wins the game in front of Penn State’s “White Out”

Thieneman’s interception at Penn State is a moment Ducks fans will remember for years to come. The moment Oregon took over one of college football’s toughest environments. It was the first overtime game under Dan Lanning, against the then-No. 3 Nittany Lions. By rule, teams are required to attempt a two-point conversion once the game reaches the second overtime. After the Ducks failed their two-point try, Penn State had a chance to win the game if it could score a touchdown and a two-point conversion. On the first play of the drive, quarterback Drew Allar dropped back quickly and fired, only to have Thieneman jump into the path of the ball for the interception that would greatly alter both teams’ paths for the rest of the season.