Where Oregon Ducks' defense, special teams rank in key stats after Week 3

Story by

Bjorn Bergstrom, Ducks Wire

Mon, Sep 15, 2025 ·

2 min read

Through two first two weeks of the season, the Oregon Ducks ' defense was one of the best in the country, giving up just 16 total points to Montana State and Oklahoma State . On Saturday against Northwestern , the trend continued.

Though the Ducks allowed 14 points, both touchdowns came in the latter half of the fourth quarter with the game well in hand. And for a third consecutive week, there were plenty of contributors — a theme of Oregon in 2025: talent and depth at nearly every position.

Along with holding the Wildcats to just two scores, the Ducks held them to just three of 11 conversions on third down, an aspect of the defense that has been shaky in years past. They also forced two interceptions off of Northwestern quarterback Preston Stone , giving the ball back to its dynamic offense.

Following Oregon's 34-14 victory over the Wildcats, let's take a look at where defensive coordinator Tosh Lupoi 's unit ranks nationally in several key defensive and special teams stat categories.

Scoring Defense: No. 14

Sep 6, 2025; Eugene, Oregon, USA; Oklahoma State Cowboys wide receiver Shamar Rigby (7) is upended by Oregon Ducks defensive back Aaron Flowers (21) and defensive back Sione Laulea (3) during the second half at Autzen Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images

Points allowed per game:10.0

Passing Defense: No. 19

Aug 30, 2025; Eugene, Oregon, USA; Oregon Ducks defensive back Ify Obidegwu (7) celebrates after breaking up a pass during the first half against the Montana State Bobcats at Autzen Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images
(Troy Wayrynen, Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images)

Passing yards allowed per game:133.3

Rushing Defense: No. 62

Oregon defensive lineman A'Mauri Washington, left, brings down Montana State running back Adam Jones as the Oregon Ducks host the Montana State Bobcats on Aug. 30, 2025, at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Oregon.

Rushing yards allowed per game:122.7

Total Defense: No. 24

Sep 6, 2025; Eugene, Oregon, USA; Oregon Ducks linebacker Teitum Tuioti (44) celebrates with linebacker Bryce Boettcher (28) after sacking Oklahoma State Cowboys quarterback Zane Flores (6) during the second half at Autzen Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images
(Troy Wayrynen, Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images)

Total yards allowed per game:256.0

Third Down Defense: No. 17

Sep 6, 2025; Eugene, Oregon, USA; Oregon Ducks defensive back Dillon Thieneman (31) runs after Oklahoma State Cowboys wide receiver Christian Fitzpatrick (16) during the first half at Autzen Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images

Third down conversion percentage:25.6%

Red Zone Defense: No. 102

Aug 30, 2025; Eugene, Oregon, USA; Montana State Bobcats wide receiver Dane Steel (84) catches a pass during the second half against Oregon Ducks linebacker Nasir Wyatt (32) and defensive back Dakoda Fields (11) at Autzen Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images

Red zone conversion percentage:100.0%

Total Sacks: No. 48

Aug 30, 2025; Eugene, Oregon, USA; Oregon Ducks linebacker Matayo Uiagalelei (10) sacks Montana State Bobcats quarterback Justin Lamson (8) during the second half at Autzen Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images

Total sacks:7

Tackles For Loss: No. 82

Oregon defensive back Peyton Woodyard, right, brings down Oklahoma State running back Rodney Fields Jr. as the Oregon Ducks host the Oklahoma State Cowboys on Sept. 6, 2025, at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Oregon.
(Ben Lonergan/The Register-Guard, Ben Lonergan/The Register-Guard / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)

Total tackles for loss:15

Turnovers Gained: No. 28

Sep 13, 2025; Evanston, Illinois, USA; Oregon Ducks linebacker Jerry Mixon (54) intercepts a pass against the Northwestern Wildcats during the second half at Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images

Total turnovers gained:4

Kickoff Return Defense: No. 77

Montana State wide receiver Jabez Woods hurdles through the defense as the Oregon Ducks host the Montana State Bobcats on Aug. 30, 2025, at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Oregon.

Average yards per kickoff return:20.5

Kickoff Returns: No. 50

Aug 30, 2025; Eugene, Oregon, USA; Oregon Ducks running back Noah Whittington (6) catches the opening game kickoff during the first half against the Montana State Bobcats at Autzen Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images

Average kickoff return yards:22.8

Punt Returns: No. 67

Sep 6, 2025; Eugene, Oregon, USA; Oregon Ducks wide receiver Gary Bryant Jr. (2) reacts after picking up a first down during the first half against the Oklahoma State Cowboys at Autzen Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images
(Troy Wayrynen, Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images)

Average punt return yards:8.6

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This article originally appeared on Ducks Wire: Oregon Ducks' ranking in key defense, special teams stats after Week 3