Oregon QB Dylan Raiola rallies Ducks past ranked Northwestern

Dylan Raiola completed 22 of 31 passes for 336 yards and three touchdowns as Oregon rallied to defeat No. 20 Northwestern 34-26 on Saturday in Eugene, Oregon.

The victory marked the second consecutive start for Raiola, who is leading the offense with Dante Moore ruled out for the season. Oregon finished the game with a 5-3 record and a 3-2 mark in Big Ten play. The Ducks trailed 20-13 at halftime after Northwestern established a 10-0 first-quarter lead. Raiola connected with Dakorien Moore on a 10-yard pass with 49 seconds left in the first half to cut the deficit.

Running back Jordon Davison left the game in the first half with a leg injury, according to coach Dan Lanning. Freshman Brandon Smith stepped into the role and finished with 82 rushing yards and a fourth-quarter touchdown that gave Oregon its first lead of the game. Smith scored on a two-yard run on fourth-and-goal to make the score 27-23. Lanning noted that Smith is ready when the opportunity arises and that his role will continue to grow.

Northwestern quarterback Aidan Chiles completed 22 of 38 passes for 281 yards and a touchdown. He also ran for 93 yards and scored a rushing touchdown late in the second quarter, bringing his season total to 10. Northwestern kicker Jackson Kleather made four of five field goal attempts, missing one late in the fourth quarter. Oregon held the Wildcats to just six second-half points.

Dakorien Moore had a standout day, catching a 75-yard touchdown pass from Raiola in the fourth quarter to seal the win. Moore finished with 128 receiving yards and two touchdowns in his first 100-yard game of the college season. Raiola also found Jamari Johnson for a 17-yard score. The Ducks averaged 3.8 yards per carry and 15.3 yards per pass in the win.

Oregon elevated Jay Johnson to the play-calling role following the firing of offensive coordinator Drew Mehringer on Oct. 25. Johnson had been the assistant quarterbacks coach. Lanning praised the defense for limiting Northwestern to field goals in the red zone. The Ducks will travel to No. 2 Ohio State next Saturday, while Northwestern hosts Iowa.