Dan Lanning had a simple answer ready for the backlash aimed at Oregon after Friday night’s 84-0 win over Portland State.
The Ducks have spent the past two days getting hammered by critics who said the score was too much and accused Oregon of “running up the score” and “not showing empathy.” But on Monday night, Lanning revealed something that changes the conversation.
Before Oregon’s Big Ten opener against USC, Lanning told reporters that he asked Portland State twice in the second half if the Vikings wanted to switch to 10-minute quarters. Both times, he said, Portland State declined.
Dan Lanning ended his press conference and said for the record twice in the second half if Portland State wanted to go to 10 minute quarters in the 2nd half, and both times Portland State declined.
- Matt Prehm (@MattPrehm) September 22, 2026
That detail matters, because Oregon did not keep its starters in there trying to stack points. Lanning emptied the depth chart and, at times, went all the way to fourth-string players.
The Ducks weren’t using the game to pad Dante Moore’s numbers. They were giving live reps to players who spend the year working for a chance to get on the field.
That included Akili Smith Jr., who came to Oregon wanting to play for the same school as his father. His mother, Tiesha Smith, made clear what that moment meant to the family.
Some say Oregon should have taken a knee, but for these kids to finally get their first opportunity for live action in a game, especially one who first tried on an Oregon helmet with a pacifier still in his mouth, it’s a dream come true! Proud of you Akili Smith jr! pic.twitter.com/ISTaqKLpan
- Tiesha Smith (@TieshaSmith) September 20, 2026
Brady Bidwell had his own milestone on Friday night. The junior wide receiver scored his first career touchdown, a moment that carried extra meaning because of his Oregon ties. Bidwell is the son of former Oregon punter Josh Bidwell and former Oregon softball player Bethany (Smith), and he had spent three years chasing that touchdown.
A special moment as Brady Bidwell celebrates his first @oregonfootball TD with his dad and NFL veteran Josh Bidwell, who also played for the Ducks. pic.twitter.com/90h2MdtJBb
- FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) September 19, 2026
So while the criticism keeps coming, Oregon’s side of it is straightforward. Lanning says he considered Portland State first.
The Vikings passed on shortening the game. After that, the Ducks used the full 60 minutes, and they used the second half to give backups and young players a chance to make memories.
In Other News...
Oregon Just Lost A Receiver Its Passing Game Really Needed
Jeremiah McClellans foot injury landed at an especially awkward moment for Oregon, which had been counting on its starting wide receiver to help stabilize the passing game. The setback happened during warmups before the game against Portland State, and head coach Dan Lanning later confirmed McClellan broke his foot and will be out indefinitely. For a Ducks offense still trying to find its rhythm, losing a key perimeter target this early changes the picture quickly.
Oregon has already started leaning on other options to absorb the extra workload, with Messiah Hampton and Iverson Hooks among the receivers getting chances to step up. That creates an immediate test for the depth of the room and for how well the Ducks can keep the passing game on schedule without one of its more important pieces. How quickly the new rotation settles in may end up shaping the next stretch of the season. [Read more 🡒]
Oregons Early Transfer Returns Are Raising One Uncomfortable Question
Through the first three games, Oregons transfer-portal haul has looked less like a roster overhaul and more like a mixed bag wrapped into a team that has leaned heavily on returners and younger players. The Ducks brought in help with clear expectations, but the early returns have varied from player to player, with some settling into useful roles and others still searching for a real foothold in the rotation.
For a program that has used the portal as part of its roster-building plan, the uncomfortable question is whether the additions have actually changed the shape of this team enough. Oregon has gotten more dependable production from familiar faces than from its new arrivals, and the next stretch will tell whether that is just an early-season snapshot or a sign that the Ducks may need more from the transfer class to match their bigger ambitions. [Read more 🡒]
Oregon's USC Test Suddenly Comes Down To One Injury Question
Oregon heads into its matchup with USC with a clearer picture of the injury report than it had earlier in the week, and the updates from Dan Lanning mostly point in a positive direction. Jamari Johnson and Kendre Harrison are trending toward playing, while Carl Williams IV is expected back in the secondary, giving the Ducks some needed stability as they prepare for one of the biggest games on the schedule.
The one major exception is Jeremiah McClellan, who will be out for an extended stretch after breaking his foot during warmups. Jalen Lott has also returned to practice, which gives Oregon one more name to monitor as game day approaches, but his availability remains uncertain for now. For a team trying to keep its focus on USC, the health of that group could matter just as much as the matchup itself. [Read more 🡒]