Oregon vs. Wisconsin score: No. 1 Ducks rally late, close in on 2024 Big Ten Championship Game berth

Oregon is closing in on a Big Ten title game berth in its first season as a member after a gritty road win

No. 1 Oregon escaped a huge upset scare Saturday and held on late to secure a 16-13 win against Wisconsin, preserving its undefeated season and taking a big step toward securing a spot in the 2024 Big Ten Championship Game and College Football Playoff in the process. 

It wasn't easy for the top-ranked team in the nation on the road. Wisconsin had a chance to either tie the game or win it outright with less than 2 minutes to play in the fourth quarter after the Ducks failed to convert on a fourth-and-4 deep in Wisconsin territory. But quarterback Braedyn Locke had a pass tipped at the line of scrimmage and intercepted by Oregon defensive lineman Matayo Uiagalelei. 

That was one of a few standout plays for Uiagalelei, who constantly came up big for Oregon's defense throughout the night. He finished the game with five total tackles, one for a loss, and one sack. The Ducks were dominant on defense throughout the game. 

After a failed fake field goal, Oregon responds by forcing a game-winning INT. 🔥 pic.twitter.com/RMDaOpQJtP

— NBC Sports (@NBCSports) November 17, 2024

Wisconsin actually had two opportunities to either tie or win the game outright with less than 3 minutes to play. The first ended when the Badgers gained just 1 yard in three plays and then failed to convert on fourth-and-9 deep in their own territory. Then Uiagalelei slammed the door on Wisconsin's second shot with his interception.

The Badgers were held to just 226 yards of offense, including 96 yards through the air. Though Locke made some big plays, he completed just 12 of his 28 pass attempts and Wisconsin struggled to stay on the field as a result. 

Offensively, Oregon got work done behind a strong game from running back Jordan James. He scored Oregon's only touchdown of the night and turned in 121 yards on 25 carries, averaging just under 5 yards per attempt. 

Oregon has a bye next week before returning to the field on Nov. 30 against rival Washington with a chance at a perfect 12-0 season on the line. 

• Oregon is now 10-0 under Dan Lanning in games that it trailed against an unranked opponent. 
• Oregon quarterback Dillon Gabriel did not score a single touchdown. This was the first game in which he wasn't responsible for a score since 2022 at West Virginia. 
• This is the most wins that Oregon has had to begin a season since 2010, when it went 12-0 before losing in the BCS National Championship Game. 
• Wisconsin has suffered nine straight losses against top-five opponents and is now on a three-game losing streak after starting the year 5-2. 
• Wisconsin is 0-5 when allowing more than 14 points. 

[Nov 16, 2024 at 10:53 pm ET · Will Backus]

Oregon escapes upset scare against Wisconsin 

Final: No. 1 Oregon 16, Wisconsin 13 

No. 1 Oregon escaped a huge upset scare Saturday evening and held on late to secure a 16-13 win against Wisconsin, preserving its undefeated season and securing a spot in the Big Ten Championship Game in the process. The Ducks are the first Power Four school to lock down a postseason bid, taking a huge step towards the College Football Playoff in the process. 

It wasn't easy for Oregon. Wisconsin had a chance to either tie the game or win it outright with less than two minutes to play in the fourth quarter after the Ducks failed to convert on a fourth-and-4 deep in Wisconsin territory. But quarterback Braedyn Locke had a pass tipped at the line of scrimmage and intercepted by Oregon defensive lineman Matayo Uiagalelei. 

That was one of a few standout plays for Uiagalelei, who constantly came up big for Oregon's defense throughout the night. He finished the game with five total tackles, one for a loss, and one sack. 

Oregon has a bye next week before returning to the field on Nov. 30 against rival Washington, with a chance at a perfect 12-0 season on the line. 

[Nov 16, 2024 at 10:49 pm ET · Will Backus]

Wisconsin's chance evaporates

What an active two minutes that was. All Wisconsin had to do was work the ball into field goal range and play for overtime. Of course, the Badgers had to pass to get there. On second-and-3 from Wisconsin's 24-yard line, quarterback Braedyn Locke's pass was batted down at the line of scrimmage and snagged out of the air by Oregon's Matayo Uiagalelei. That will likely do it. 

[Nov 16, 2024 at 10:47 pm ET · Will Backus]

Wisconsin will have another chance 

Late 4Q: No. 1 Oregon 16, Wisconsin 13 

Well Oregon, that was certainly a choice. The Ducks didn't completely slam the door on Wisconsin after taking over with a lead and just over two minutes to play, but they could have made it a lot harder on the Badgers. Instead of attempting a short field goal from Wisconsin's 20-yard line, Oregon's holder kept the ball on a fake. He came up short. Now the Badgers need just a field goal to send it to overtime and have around 1:40 to get into range. 

[Nov 16, 2024 at 10:42 pm ET · Will Backus]

That will likely do it 

Late 4Q: No. 1 Oregon 16, Wisconsin 13 

Oregon's defense just came up with a huge stop. Needing to make something happen, Wisconsin went for it on fourth-and-9 on its own 29-yard line. Despite having a relatively clean pocket, quarterback Braedyn Locke's pass sailed above everyone's heads and Oregon took over in scoring position. Not that the Ducks have to score. A first down will likely end the game, even if Wisconsin still has all three timeouts to stop the clock. 

[Nov 16, 2024 at 10:37 pm ET · Will Backus]

Oregon takes the lead 

Late 4Q: No. 1 Oregon 16, Wisconsin 13 

Oregon had first-and-goal from Wisconsin's 8-yard line but came away with just a field goal after the Ducks were unable to capitalize. And kicker Atticus Sappington's 24-yard kick just barely snuck through the uprights. Wisconsin is going to have a chance to march down the field and tie this game at the very least, but the Badgers are going to have to get their offense into another gear. They do have over two minutes and all three timeouts to make something happen. 

[Nov 16, 2024 at 10:31 pm ET · Will Backus]

Star Wisconsin defender injured 

Wisconsin defensive back Hunter Wohler, a longtime starter and impact player for the Badgers, suffered an apparently leg injury after Oregon quarterback Dillon Gabriel scrambled for a first down late in the fourth quarter. Wohler missing any time would be a significant loss for the Badgers, especially as they search for another big stop late in the game. He leads all players with 12 tackles thus far and has been one of Wisconsin's most consistent players all season. 

[Nov 16, 2024 at 10:17 pm ET · Will Backus]

Wisconsin's defense steps up 

Oregon had a chance to blow this one open after a touchdown drive and quick stop on defense, but the Badgers defense -- as it has done all game -- stepped up in a huge spot. The Ducks got the ball past the 50-yard line and found themselves facing a third-and-10 situation after two rushes for no gain. Wisconsin decided to bring some extra heat, which got to Gabriel immediately. Gabriel tried to scramble around but the Badgers eventually got to him for a 14-yard sack, knocking Oregon well out of field goal range and forcing the punt. 

[Nov 16, 2024 at 10:02 pm ET · Will Backus]

Oregon ties it up 

Early 4Q: No. 1 Oregon 13, Wisconsin 13 

Big-time drive from Oregon, which sorely needed to find the end zone after failing to do so through the first three quarters. The Ducks opened the fourth quarter with an extremely gutsy call, as they decided to go for it on fourth-and-9 from Wisconsin's 41-yard line. Dillon Gabriel roped a perfect throw to tight end Terrance Ferguson to convert and a couple plays later, running back Jordan James knifed into the end zone for the crucial score. 

[Nov 16, 2024 at 10:00 pm ET · David Cobb]

Big Ten tiebreaker scenario to know if Oregon loses

One Big Ten chaos scenario involves Oregon, Penn State, Ohio State and Indiana each concluding the regular season with one conference loss and records of 11-1 (8-1 Big Ten). It would require: 

• Oregon to lose one game in November (tonight at Wisconsin, or vs. Washington)
• Ohio State winning out (vs. Indiana, vs. Michigan)
• Indiana beating Purdue but losing next week at Ohio State
• Penn State winning out (at Minnesota, vs. Maryland)

In that case, the first tiebreaker among the four teams would be head-to-head record among the tied teams. As a result, Oregon would take on Ohio State in the Big Ten Championship Game. 

[Nov 16, 2024 at 9:57 pm ET · Will Backus]

History on Oregon's side

Oregon fans are certainly sweating but, if history is any indication, the Ducks are in good hands. Oregon is 9-0 under Dan Lanning in games it has trailed against an unranked team in the AP poll. Of course, the Ducks are rarely trailing this late, but they have had some late battles this year that will likely serve them well as the pressure mounts.