Oregon wide receiver Dakorien Moore stated that the Ohio State crowd started with 103,000 people but ended with less than half that number after the Ducks defeated the Buckeyes 41-28 on Saturday. He told reporters that his team expected the stands to empty as they took a commanding lead in the fourth quarter. Moore focused on executing his plays rather than worrying about the fans who walked out during the game.
The Ducks secured a massive upset in Columbus, improving their record to 6-3 with this victory. According to a report, Moore led the team in receiving with seven catches for 56 yards and a touchdown. His performance included a one-handed grab that became a key moment in the second-half shellacking of the host team. This win keeps Oregon in the hunt for a Big Ten title and a spot in the College Football Playoff.
Moore on the Empty Seats
Moore did not let the silence of the crowd distract him from the task at hand. He explained that his only goal was to play for the teammate standing next to him. “Just going out there executing, we knew the stands were gonna look like that every time,” Moore said. He noted that the fans left early as the score gap grew too wide to ignore. The sophomore receiver has now surpassed his total reception count from last season after just nine games.
Evan Stewart and Jeremiah McClellan have missed time, leaving Moore to carry a heavier load. His production has helped his new starting quarterback, Dylan Raiola, find his rhythm. Raiola threw for 257 yards and two touchdowns in the win over Ohio State. The quarterback’s confidence has grown significantly since his struggles in an earlier start against UCLA.
Season Totals and Playoff Hopes
Entering Saturday’s game, Moore had already surpassed his season total from the previous year. Through nine games, his total includes 41 receptions, 545 yards, and six touchdowns. His touchdown total has doubled compared to his 2025 performance. The Ducks face three tough games to close out the regular season. They will play the Michigan Wolverines on November 14, followed by the Michigan State Spartans on November 20.
A win against the Washington Huskies on November 28 will be crucial for their final standing. Oregon remains a strong candidate to win their second Big Ten title in three years. The team recorded three losses earlier in the unpredictable season.
Ohio State’s Offensive Struggles
Ohio State head coach Ryan Day faces three major questions regarding his offense after this loss. The first issue involves the quarterback situation with Luke Fahey struggling since Julian Sayin got injured. Fahey has let the offense down in several ways during recent games against USC and Oregon. This leaves Day to decide whether to give Tavien St. Clair a chance to start.
The second problem is that star wide receiver Jeremiah Smith is not sufficiently involved in the game plan. Smith was once a top choice for the Heisman Trophy before recent struggles. While the team depends excessively on deep targets, he has been overlooked in the offensive schemes. Easy touches on slant or screen routes could help Smith find a better connection with his quarterback. The offensive scheme needs reworking to fix this issue for the final three games.
The running back room remains a big question mark for the Buckeyes as well. Bo Jackson was expected to step into the lead role but has taken a step back from his freshman year.
