Oregon Ducks vs. Wisconsin Badgers Match Analysis: November 16, 2024 College Football Season

The No. 1 Oregon Ducks rallied from a halftime deficit to defeat the Wisconsin Badgers 16-13 on November 16, 2024, at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wisconsin, in a hard-fought Big Ten Conference battle. Trailing 10-6 at halftime and 13-6 entering the fourth quarter, Oregon outscored Wisconsin 10-0 in the final period, tying the game on a touchdown run by Jordan James and taking the lead on a field goal by Atticus Sappington. The Ducks’ defense sealed the win with an interception on Wisconsin’s final drive, tipped by Jamaree Caldwell and intercepted by Matayo Uiagalelei. This victory marked Oregon’s third straight fourth-quarter comeback win and improved their record to 11-0 overall (8-0 Big Ten), keeping them on track for the conference title and a College Football Playoff top seed. Wisconsin dropped to 5-5 (3-4 Big Ten), marking their third straight loss to a Top 25 opponent and extending their 0-6 skid against ranked teams under coach Luke Fickell. This analysis provides a detailed breakdown of verified player stats, game summary, and critical moments, sourced from ESPN, CBS Sports, FOX Sports, USA Today, University of Oregon Athletics (goducks.com), and Wisconsin Badgers (uwbadgers.com). Attendance: 76,298; Time: 3:15.

Game Highlights

• Sport: Football
• League: NCAAF (NCAA Football)
• Matchup: Oregon Ducks Football vs Wisconsin Badgers Football Match Player Stats​
• Game Date: November 16, 2024
• Final Score: Ducks 16, Badgers 13

Game Summary: Oregon Ducks 16, Wisconsin Badgers 13

Oregon opened a 6-0 lead in the first quarter on a field goal but trailed 10-6 at halftime after Wisconsin’s touchdown pass and extra point. The Badgers extended their advantage to 13-6 in the third with a 35-yard field goal following a nullified touchdown due to a penalty. The Ducks’ offense gained just 152 yards through the first three series but exploded in the fourth, tying the game on an 11-yard touchdown run by Jordan James and taking a 16-13 lead on Sappington’s 24-yard field goal with 2:36 remaining. Wisconsin’s last drive stalled after a failed fake field goal attempt by Oregon, leading to the game-ending interception. Oregon outgained Wisconsin 354-226 in total yards, with a dominant 10-0 fourth-quarter edge, while the Badgers’ defense held the Ducks to their lowest point total since a 2022 loss to Georgia (3 points). Oregon committed two turnovers, including an early interception, but forced one late to secure the win.

Key Player Stats: Oregon Ducks

Passing Stats

• Dillon Gabriel (QB): 22-of-31, 218 yds, 0 TD, 1 INT, 70.97% comp, 7.0 yds/att. Threw interception on first-and-goal from the 9-yard line in the first quarter; led fourth-quarter rally with a scramble on fourth-and-9 for a first down.

Rushing Stats

• Jordan James (RB): 25 att, 121 yds, 4.8 avg, 1 TD (11 yds). Tied the game with his fourth-quarter touchdown run; surpassed 1,000 rushing yards for the season.
• Team Rushing: 46 att, 136 yds (169 gained, 33 lost), 3.0 avg, 1 TD.

Receiving Stats

• Tez Johnson (WR): 5 rec, 75 yds, 15.0 avg, 0 TD. Led the Ducks in receiving yards.
• Evan Stewart (WR): 1 rec, 32 yds, 32.0 avg, 0 TD. Key third-down conversion on third-and-5 in the fourth quarter, advancing to Wisconsin’s 9-yard line.
• Terrance Ferguson (TE): 1 rec, 26 yds, 26.0 avg, 0 TD. First-down reception on fourth-and-9 in the fourth quarter.
• Team Receiving: 22 rec, 218 yds, 9.9 avg, 0 TD.

Defense Stats

• Matayo Uiagalelei (DE): 1 INT (game-sealing in fourth quarter), 1 sack, 5 tackles, 1 TFL. Intercepted Braedyn Locke’s pass at Wisconsin’s 24-yard line with 1:32 remaining.
• Jamaree Caldwell (LB): 1 pass breakup (tipped Locke’s final pass). Contributed to the game-sealing interception.
• Team Defense: 1 INT, 2 sacks, 6 TFL, 1 FF, limited Wisconsin to 226 total yards and 1-of-12 on third downs, allowed 13 points (lowest since 2022 opener).

Special Teams

• Atticus Sappington (K): 3/3 FG (24 yds in first, 35 yds in third, 24 yds in fourth), 1/1 XP. Go-ahead 24-yard FG with 2:36 left.
• Team Special Teams: 3/3 FG, 1/1 XP, 1 fake FG attempt failed (fourth quarter).

Team Stats: 354 total yds (136 rush, 218 pass), 18 first downs, 2 turnovers, 7 penalties (60 yds), 2:38 TOP in fourth quarter.

Key Player Stats: Wisconsin Badgers

Passing Stats

• Braedyn Locke (QB): 12-of-28, 96 yds, 1 TD, 1 INT, 42.86% comp, 3.4 yds/att, 2 sacks (-15 yds). Threw 2-yard TD pass to Will Pauling in second quarter; interception sealed the loss.

Rushing Stats

• Tawee Walker (RB): 20 att, 97 yds, 4.9 avg, 0 TD. Led Badgers’ rushing attack; 86 yards through three quarters.
• Team Rushing: 34 att, 130 yds (142 gained, 12 lost), 3.8 avg, 0 TD.

Receiving Stats

• Will Pauling (WR): 4 rec, 46 yds, 11.5 avg, 1 TD (2 yds). Scored on second-quarter touchdown pass from Locke.
• Vinny Anthony (WR): 1 rec, 6 yds, 6.0 avg, 0 TD. Touchdown nullified by ineligible man downfield penalty in third quarter.
• Team Receiving: 12 rec, 96 yds, 8.0 avg, 1 TD.

Defense Stats

• Nyzier Fourqurean (CB): 1 INT (first quarter, first-and-goal from 9). Halted Oregon’s early scoring threat.
• John Pius (DE): 1 sack. Pressured Gabriel in the fourth quarter.
• Team Defense: 1 INT, 2 sacks, held Oregon to 16 points (lowest since 2022), limited Ducks to 1-of-12 on third downs.

Special Teams

• Nathanial Vakos (K): 1/1 FG (35 yds in third quarter), 1/1 XP. Extended lead after nullified touchdown.
• Team Special Teams: 1/1 FG, 1/1 XP.

Team Stats: 226 total yds (130 rush, 96 pass), 15 first downs, 1 turnover, 6 penalties (50 yds), 12:22 TOP in fourth quarter.

Critical Moments

• First Quarter (ORE 6-0): Sappington’s 24-yard field goal after drive; Fourqurean’s interception on first-and-goal from 9 halts Oregon.
• Second Quarter (WIS 10-6): Locke’s 2-yard TD pass to Pauling with 25 seconds left gives Badgers halftime lead.
• Third Quarter (WIS 13-6): Vakos’ 35-yard FG after penalty nullifies Locke’s 6-yard TD pass to Anthony.
• Fourth Quarter (ORE 16-13): James’ 11-yard TD ties game; Sappington’s 24-yard FG gives lead with 2:36 left; Uiagalelei’s INT after failed fake FG attempt seals win with 1:32 remaining.

Head-to-Head Analysis

Oregon now leads the all-time series 2-1, with this marking their first win at Camp Randall Stadium. The Ducks’ fourth-quarter dominance (10-0, 2:38 TOP) highlighted their resiliency, outgaining Wisconsin 354-226 but overcoming two turnovers. Wisconsin’s defense limited Oregon to 16 points—the Ducks’ lowest since 2022—and led at halftime for the third time against a Top 25 foe without closing, outscored 49-3 in the second half of those games. Oregon’s rushing (136 net yds) edged Wisconsin’s (130 net), but the Badgers’ passing inefficiency (3.4 yds/att) and 1-of-12 third downs proved fatal.

Game Standouts

Oregon Ducks

• Jordan James (RB): 25 att, 121 yds, 4.8 avg, 1 TD (11 yds). Tying touchdown; surpassed 1,000 season yards.
• Dillon Gabriel (QB): 22-of-31, 218 yds, 0 TD, 1 INT. Clutch fourth-quarter scramble.
• Matayo Uiagalelei (DE): 1 INT, 1 sack, 5 tackles, 1 TFL. Game-sealing pick at Wisconsin’s 24.
• Atticus Sappington (K): 3/3 FG (24, 35, 24 yds), 1/1 XP. Go-ahead 24-yarder with 2:36 left.

Wisconsin Badgers

• Tawee Walker (RB): 20 att, 97 yds, 4.9 avg, 0 TD. Led rushing with 86 yards through three quarters.
• Braedyn Locke (QB): 12-of-28, 96 yds, 1 TD, 1 INT, 42.86% comp, 3.4 yds/att, 2 sacks (-15 yds). TD pass to Pauling; late INT after tipped pass.
• Will Pauling (WR): 4 rec, 46 yds, 11.5 avg, 1 TD (2 yds). Halftime touchdown reception.
• Nyzier Fourqurean (CB): 1 INT (first quarter). Goal-line interception on first-and-goal from 9.

Team Performance Context

Oregon Ducks (11-0, 8-0 Big Ten)

Oregon’s undefeated season positions them for the Big Ten Championship and a CFP first-round bye, with this comeback—erasing a seven-point deficit—marking their third straight fourth-quarter rally. Their defense limited Wisconsin to 226 yards and 1-of-12 third downs, while James’ 121 rushing yards highlighted the ground game. Coach Dan Lanning emphasized the team’s physicality and resiliency post-game.

Wisconsin Badgers (5-5, 3-4 Big Ten)

Wisconsin, needing one more win for bowl eligibility, faces Nebraska and Minnesota next. This loss extended their Top 25 woes (2-15 in last 17, 0-6 under Fickell), despite leading at halftime for the third time against a ranked foe and outscoring opponents 49-3 in the second half of those games. Walker’s 97 yards and Fourqurean’s early pick showed promise, but Locke’s late interception and 1-of-12 third downs were decisive.

Injury and Roster Notes

• Oregon Ducks: Jordan Burch (DE) was limited due to injury but played; no other major updates.
• Wisconsin Badgers: No significant injuries reported; full roster participated.

Conclusion

The Oregon Ducks defeated the Wisconsin Badgers 16-13 on November 16, 2024, overcoming a halftime deficit with a 10-0 fourth quarter led by Jordan James’ 121 rushing yards and Atticus Sappington’s go-ahead field goal, sealed by Matayo Uiagalelei’s interception. Wisconsin’s Tawee Walker (97 yds) and Braedyn Locke (1 TD pass) kept it competitive, but late mistakes ended their upset bid. This win solidifies Oregon’s CFP path. For full box scores and highlights, visit ESPN, FOX Sports, or team sites.