Oregon Ducks Beat USC 42-27 Without Star Receivers, End Trojans' CFP Hopes

On a chilly November evening in Eugene, Oregon, the Oregon Ducks didn’t need their top two receivers to crush the USC Trojans — they just needed grit, guts, and a defense that refused to blink. The Ducks’ 42-27 victory on November 22, 2025, Autzen Stadium wasn’t just a win. It was a statement. And for USC, it was the final nail in their College Football Playoff coffin.

Without Moore and Bryant Jr., Oregon’s Offense Still Pulled Off a Masterclass

The Ducks entered the game without wideouts Dakorien Moore and Gary Bryant Jr., two of their most explosive weapons. Together, they’d accounted for 47 receptions, 683 yards, and five touchdowns in the first 10 games. Their absence should’ve been a death sentence for Oregon’s aerial attack. Instead, quarterback Dante Moore turned into a conductor, orchestrating a precision-driven offense that exploited USC’s thin secondary. He finished with 257 passing yards and two touchdowns, finding tight ends and slot receivers like the right note in a symphony. The Trojans, meanwhile, were left scrambling — literally and figuratively.

USC’s Depth Issues Exposed in Eugene

It wasn’t just Oregon’s injuries that mattered. The Trojans were down three key starters: safeties Kamari Ramsey and Bishop Fitzgerald, and offensive tackle Elijah Page. That meant no lockdown coverage on the back end, and no consistent protection up front. When USC quarterback Jayden Maiava threw three touchdowns — two to wide receiver Makai Lemon, plus a wild 22-yard scoring pass from Lemon himself — it felt like a last-ditch effort. The Trojans (8-3) had fought hard. But their defense couldn’t hold up under Oregon’s relentless ground game.

That Halftime Turnaround Was the Real Game-Changer

With Oregon leading 24-14 in the second quarter, kicker Atticus Sappington lined up for a 44-yard field goal. The kick hit the upright — and the crowd groaned. But then came the whistle. USC was flagged for a procedural infraction — too many men on the field. The penalty gave Oregon a fresh set of downs. Three plays later, safety Bryce Boettcher dove into the end zone from one yard out. The score became 28-14. The momentum didn’t just shift — it flipped. USC never recovered. Oregon’s defense held them to just three points in the second half.

Running Back Evan Stewart Sealed It — and the Legacy

Late in the fourth quarter, with USC driving and hoping for a miracle, Oregon’s Evan Stewart broke free on a 9-yard touchdown run. It wasn’t flashy. It wasn’t a highlight reel. But it was the kind of play that wins championships — physical, decisive, and perfectly timed. The Ducks’ defense held on the final drive, forcing a turnover on downs. The scoreboard read 42-27. The crowd roared. And for USC, the season was over.

Twelve Years Without a Win in Eugene — And It’s Getting Worse

USC hadn’t won in Eugene since 2011. That’s 12 years. Four straight losses to Oregon. Three defeats to ranked opponents this season. The Trojans’ playoff dreams, once alive, are now dust. Meanwhile, Oregon’s win kept them at No. 6 in the College Football Playoff rankings. But here’s the twist: they’re not safe yet. Their fate hinges on one game — against the Washington Huskies on November 29, 2025, Lumen Field in Seattle. Win, and they’re still in the conversation for a Big Ten title. Lose, and their season ends with a bitter ‘what if?’

What This Means for Both Programs

For Oregon head coach Dan Lanning, this was his 28th win in 38 games since taking over. He didn’t have his stars, but he had a plan — and the discipline to execute it. For USC’s Lincoln Riley, the pressure is mounting. His fourth straight loss to Oregon, combined with the program’s collapse against ranked teams, has fans asking: Is this the end of the Riley era? The Trojans’ season finale against UCLA at the Rose Bowl on November 29 won’t change their postseason fate — but it might change the future of their coaching staff.

There’s a quiet irony here. Oregon, a team that left the Pac-12 for the Big Ten just a year ago, is now the team with the momentum. USC, still clinging to its old glory, looks increasingly like a program in transition — talented, but fragile. The Ducks didn’t just win a game. They exposed a gap. And it’s getting wider.