Dan Lanning has quickly built the No. 4 Oregon Ducks into one of the nation’s most respected programs, and that recognition is following him into Big Ten play. Oregon begins conference action on Saturday, Sept. 13, when it visits David Braun’s Northwestern Wildcats in Evanston.
The Ducks, off to another dominant start, are chasing a 3-0 opening for the third consecutive season, and the numbers suggest it is within reach.
For Braun, the upcoming matchup represents his team’s most challenging test of the year. Speaking to reporters this week, he praised the work Lanning has done since arriving in Eugene in 2022.
“Incredible opportunity this weekend with Oregon coming into town, opening up Big Ten play. Coach Lanning has done an exceptional job. Not only are they very talented, but they are incredibly well coached. There’s not a single stone that will go unturned by him and his staff. They’re going to be aggressive. They’re going to try and apply pressure in a lot of different ways, in all three phases, on top of being extremely talented,” Braun said.
He added,
“They’re fundamentally sound, they’re physical, play hard, finish plays. Turn on the tape from their first two games, and it doesn’t take long to find a profound respect for the quality of football team that they have and the task we have right in front of us this Saturday.”
Containing redshirt sophomore quarterback Dante Moore will be at the heart of Northwestern’s defensive game plan. Oregon is averaging 64.0 points per game, the third-highest mark in college football.
Kickoff is scheduled for 9 a.m. PT on FOX from Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium, located on the Lake Michigan shoreline.