Northwestern vs Oregon: Wildcats Fall 34-26 at Oregon After Leading Into the Fourth Quarter

Northwestern's trip to Eugene ended in a 34-26 loss to Oregon on Saturday, after the No. 20 Wildcats led for most of the afternoon at Autzen Stadium. Northwestern (6-1, 3-1 Big Ten entering the game) scored on its opening drive and led 20-13 at halftime, but Oregon (4-3 entering) outscored the Wildcats 14-3 in the fourth quarter to complete the comeback, according to the Register-Guard's live game report.

The Wildcats set the early pace. Jackson Kleather opened the scoring with a 37-yard field goal, Aidan Chiles hit Griffin Wilde for a 64-yard touchdown and a 10-0 lead, and Chiles ran 5 yards for a second-quarter touchdown that made it 20-6. Kleather added a second 37-yard field goal before halftime, and his 49-yarder early in the third quarter pushed the lead to 23-13 after a Northwestern takeaway.

Oregon's rally ran through Dylan Raiola, who threw touchdown passes of 10 yards to Dakorien Moore and 17 yards to Jamari Johnson to cut the margin to 23-20. Brandon Smith's 2-yard run on fourth-and-goal gave the Ducks their first lead, 27-23, early in the fourth quarter. Kleather's fourth field goal, a 49-yarder, pulled Northwestern within 27-26 with 10:31 to play — but on the first play of the next drive Raiola found Moore for a 75-yard touchdown and a 34-26 lead.

Northwestern's last push ended when Kleather, who had already converted four field goals, missed a 42-yard attempt with 5:14 to play, and Oregon held the ball from there. The Wildcats also lost defensive back Jon Jon Stevens in the third quarter; he was tended to on the field after a tackle, then stood, walked slowly to a cart and was taken to the locker room, according to the game report. Northwestern next hosts Iowa on Saturday, November 7, per its published schedule.