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Where Oregon Ducks' defense, special teams rank nationally in key stats following Week 9
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- Where Oregon Ducks' defense, special teams rank nationally in key stats following Week 9
Early in the season, it was the Oregon Ducks ' offense that was stealing the headlines — with good reason, as they put up a combined 203 points through the first four games of the season. But in those games, the defense allowed just 37 points and revealing themselves to be a stifling unit when at their best.
They were certainly near their best on Saturday against the Wisconsin Badgers , as the Ducks allowed just 196 total yards. Badgers quarterback Hunter Simmons managed to complete just seven of 21 passes for 86 yards, throwing a touchdown and an interception. While some of that lackluster performance from Simmons had to do with the rain, the Ducks ' secondary was extremely sticky and didn't allow many openings for the Wisconsin receivers.
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Defensive coordinator Tosh Lupoi 's unit did struggle against Wisconsin's ground game at times, as they ran the ball 29 times for 110 yards including a career-high 85-yard effort from running back Gideon Ituka. The good news is that the Ducks' second bye week is coming up before a matchup with the Iowa Hawkeyes on Nov. 8.
Let's take a look at where Oregon's defense ranks nationally in several key categories after their Week 9 victory.
Scoring Defense: No. 7
Oct 18, 2025; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; Oregon Ducks linebacker Dylan Williams (20) celebrates a defensive stop during the second half against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at SHI Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
Points allowed per game:13.5
Passing Defense: No. 1
Passing yards allowed per game:124.6
Rushing Defense: No. 27
Oct 11, 2025; Eugene, Oregon, USA; Indiana Hoosiers quarterback Fernando Mendoza (15) takes a sack near offensive lineman Carter Smith (65) against Oregon Ducks linebacker Matayo Uiagalelei (10) and linebacker Bryce Boettcher (28) during the first quarter at Autzen Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images
Rushing yards allowed per game:114.5
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Total Defense: No. 5
Oct 18, 2025; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; Oregon Ducks defensive back Brandon Finney (4) breaks up a pass intended for Rutgers Scarlet Knights wide receiver Kj Duff (8) during the first half at SHI Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
Total yards allowed per game:239.1
Third Down Defense: No. 14
Oregon defensive back Brandon Finney Jr. trips up Penn State running back Nicholas Singleton as the Oregon Ducks face the Penn State Nittany Lions on Sept. 27, 2025, at Beaver Stadium in University Park, Pennsylvania.
Third down conversion percentage:30.3%
Red Zone Defense: No. 134
Oregon Ducks defensive back Dillon Thieneman brings down Oregon State Beavers running back Anthony Hankerson as the Oregon Ducks host the Oregon State Beavers Sept. 20, 2025, at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Oregon.
Red zone conversion percentage:100.0%
Total Sacks: No. 81
Oct 18, 2025; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; Rutgers Scarlet Knights quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis (16) avoids a sack by Oregon Ducks linebacker Matayo Uiagalelei (10) during the first half at SHI Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
Total sacks:14
Tackles for Loss: No. 97
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 tackles for loss:37
Turnovers Gained: No. 27
Oct 11, 2025; Eugene, Oregon, USA; Oregon Ducks defensive back Brandon Finney Jr. (4) intercepts a pass intended for Indiana Hoosiers wide receiver E.J. Williams Jr. (7) during the third quarter at Autzen Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images
Total turnovers gained:11
Kickoff Return Defense: No. 89
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
Average yards per opposing kickoff return:21.6
Kickoff Returns: No. 40
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
(Troy Wayrynen, Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images)
Average kickoff return yards:22.8
Punt Returns: No. 73
Oregon Ducks wide receiver Gary Bryant Jr. warms up as the Oregon Ducks host the Oregon State Beavers Sept. 20, 2025, at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Oregon.
Average punt return yards:8.6
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This article originally appeared on Ducks Wire: Where Ducks rank in defense, special teams stats after Week 9
