Oregon football came up just short in its marquee nonconference game of the 2016 season. The Ducks fell 35-32 in Lincoln, Nebraska, on Saturday, losing for the first time this season.
The Ducks had a chance to score late, reaching midfield down three points. However, Oregon’s offense stalled following a penalty set up a 3rd and 20 at the 50-yard line. Dakota Prukop evaded a blitz on 4th and 18, but couldn’t convert the first down.
The visitors were 1-of-5 on two-point conversions on Saturday, the lowest number by any team in a single game in the last 10 seasons, per ESPN Stats.
Oregon returns to open Pac-12 play next Saturday at Autzen Stadium against Colorado.
Key Plays:
— Tommy Armstrong Jr. completed a 22-yard pass to Bryan Reimers.
— Nebraska struck again on a 7-yard run from Devine Ozigbo to complete a 62-yard drive.
— Oregon running back Kani Benoit broke away for a 41-yard touchdown. The ensuring two-point conversion failed.
— Oregon’s Tony Brooks-James scored his third rushing touchdown of the game, this time early in the fourth quarter. His 1-yard carry capped a 97-yard drive, but the two-point conversion failed.
— Nebraska quarterback Armstrong Jr. scored on a 34-yard rush for a touchdown to give Nebraska a late 36-32 lead with 2:29 left to play.
Key Stats:
Oregon Passing
Dakota Prukop — 14-of-23 for 146 yards
Nebraska Passing
Tommy Armstrong Jr. — 17-of-33 for 200 yards and three touchdowns
Oregon Rushing
Kani Benoit — six carries for 100 yards and one touchdown
Dakota Prukop — 20 carries for 97 yards
Tony Brooks-James — seven carries for 37 yards and three touchdowns
Nebraska Rushing
Armstrong Jr. — 16 carries for 96 yards and one touchdown
Devine Ozigbo — 21 carries for 94 yards and one touchdown
 
Oregon Receiving 
Charles Nelson — eight receptions for 80 yards
Nebraska Receiving
Cethan Carter — five receptions for 48 yards
Jordan Westerkamp — three receptions for 39 yards and two touchdowns
Oregon total yards — 473
Nebraska total yards — 428
Follow Jonathan Hawthorne on Twitter @Jon_Hawthorne