Ducks mascot trips, loses head in costume mishap

In a humorous pregame incident, the Oregon Ducks mascot tripped and lost its head during the team’s season opener against Montana State on August 30, 2025, creating a viral moment before the game even began. The mishap occurred as the mascot, known as Puddles, was running onto the field at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Oregon. While leading the team out, the costume-clad figure stumbled, causing the large duck head to detach and roll away. The headless mascot immediately sprinted towards the tunnel, seemingly embarrassed, while a helper quickly retrieved the head and followed. Within moments, the Oregon Duck returned to the field fully reassembled, ready to continue without further issue. This is not the first wardrobe malfunction for the mascot; a similar incident occurred last season against Purdue, and in 2023, the head came off during a skit involving Deion Sanders. The event was captured on video and widely shared on social media, amassing thousands of views and comments, with fans finding humor in the situation. Despite the awkward start, the Oregon football team dominated the game, defeating Montana State 59-13, with quarterback Dante Moore throwing for 213 yards and three touchdowns. The incident highlights the unpredictable nature of live sports and the role of mascots in adding entertainment value. It also demonstrates the professionalism of the staff in handling such mishaps seamlessly. As the season progresses, this will likely be remembered as a light-hearted moment in an otherwise competitive start for the Ducks, who are ranked No. 7 and have high aspirations for the year.