Atticus Sappington kicked a 39-yard field goal with three seconds remaining to lift No. 6 Oregon to an 18-16 victory over No. 20 Iowa, narrowly avoiding an upset in a defensive battle played in rainy conditions at Kinnick Stadium. The win keeps Oregon’s College Football Playoff aspirations alive while dealing a blow to Iowa’s postseason hopes.
The highly anticipated matchup between two top-20 teams lived up to its billing as a defensive showdown, with Oregon entering as the higher-ranked team but facing a tough road test against Iowa’s stout defense. Played in persistent rain, the game saw both offenses struggle to find consistency, leading to a low-scoring affair that came down to the final moments. Oregon’s ability to run the ball effectively against one of the nation’s best run defenses kept them in control for much of the contest.
Oregon established an early lead with a safety in the first quarter when Iowa’s punter was penalized for an illegal kick after a bad snap, giving the Ducks a 2-0 advantage. They extended their lead in the second quarter with a 19-yard touchdown run by Dierre Hill Jr., complemented by field goals from Atticus Sappington, including a 46-yarder just before halftime that made it 12-7. Sappington’s reliability in the difficult conditions was a key factor, as he later added a 44-yard field goal in the third quarter to push the lead to 15-7.
Iowa, known for its resilient defense, managed to stay within striking distance despite Oregon’s ground dominance. The Hawkeyes scored their first touchdown on a 3-yard pass from quarterback Mark Gronowski to D.J. Vonnahme in the second quarter, and Drew Stevens nailed a 58-yard field goal in the fourth quarter—tying the school record—to cut the deficit to 15-16. However, Iowa’s offense struggled to sustain drives, and their time-of-possession advantage didn’t translate into enough points.
The game’s climax came in the final minutes when Iowa orchestrated a 12-play, 93-yard drive capped by Gronowski’s 3-yard touchdown run with 1:51 left, giving the Hawkeyes their first lead at 16-15. Opting to go for a two-point conversion, Iowa failed when Gronowski’s pass fell incomplete, leaving the door open for Oregon. With two timeouts remaining, the Ducks had just enough time to mount a response.
Oregon quarterback Dante Moore, who had a challenging day with only 112 passing yards and an interception, rose to the occasion on the final drive. He completed five passes for 47 yards, including a crucial 24-yard connection with Malik Benson that positioned the Ducks at the Iowa 27-yard line. With 23 seconds left, Oregon called on Sappington, who calmly drilled the 39-yard field goal through the uprights with three seconds on the clock, securing the dramatic win.
Key performances underscored the victory, with running back Noah Whittington rushing for 118 yards on just 16 carries, exploiting gaps in Iowa’s typically impenetrable run defense. Oregon’s offensive line dominated the trenches, allowing the team to accumulate 261 rushing yards against a unit that had been allowing only 83.9 yards per game. On the other side, Iowa’s defense held firm for most of the game but couldn’t stop the final drive, highlighting the fine margins in college football.
The outcome has significant implications for both teams’ seasons. Oregon, now 8-1 and 5-1 in the Big Ten, solidifies its position in the College Football Playoff conversation, with upcoming games against Minnesota, USC, and Washington offering further opportunities to climb. For Iowa, the loss drops them to 6-3 and 4-2, likely ending their CFP hopes and putting pressure on their remaining schedule, including a trip to Southern California next week.
In post-game comments, Oregon coach Dan Lanning praised his team’s composure, noting how players reminded him to ‘breathe’ during tense moments, reflecting their belief in the game plan. Sappington expressed confidence in his ability to deliver under pressure, calling the moment ‘made for me.’ Meanwhile, Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz lamented the missed opportunities, acknowledging that against a team like Oregon, execution in critical moments is essential.
