The Library Media — Sports · Sports Desk
No. 16 Oregon Beats Michigan 31-7 Behind Four Touchdowns From Dylan Raiola
By Hollis Brandt
Photo: Kingofthedead / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Oregon used four touchdown passes from quarterback Dylan Raiola to defeat Michigan 31-7 at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Oregon, on Saturday, improving to 7-3 overall and 5-2 in Big Ten play. Michigan fell to 5-5 and 2-5 in the conference after being held scoreless following its lone touchdown in the second quarter.
Raiola completed 20 of 28 passes for 341 yards, four touchdowns and no interceptions. Three of his scoring passes covered at least 49 yards, giving Oregon explosive plays that helped establish an early advantage and maintain control through the final quarter.
The Ducks opened the scoring on their first possession with a 60-yard touchdown pass from Raiola to Jeremiah McClellan at 13:00 of the first quarter. The score capped a four-play, 75-yard drive and gave Oregon a 7-0 lead.
Raiola added another touchdown pass late in the opening period, connecting with Da’Juan Riggs from two yards out with 13 seconds remaining. Oregon carried a 14-0 advantage into the second quarter.
Michigan finally answered with a major play of its own. Savion Hiter broke loose for a 70-yard touchdown run, giving the Wolverines their only points of the afternoon and cutting the deficit to 14-7.
The response from Oregon came just before halftime and proved to be a defining moment in the game. With six seconds remaining in the second quarter, Raiola connected with Dakorien Moore for a 59-yard touchdown pass. The play capped a 91-yard drive and restored Oregon’s two-score advantage at 21-7.
That touchdown was particularly significant because it answered Michigan’s only scoring possession and prevented the Wolverines from carrying momentum into halftime. Oregon maintained its 14-point lead through the break and did not surrender it for the remainder of the contest.
Neither team scored in the third quarter. Michigan remained unable to find another touchdown, while Oregon preserved its advantage before adding to it in the final period.
Raiola delivered his fourth touchdown pass with 4:03 remaining in the fourth quarter, finding Dierre Hill Jr. for a 49-yard score. The touchdown extended the lead to 28-7 and marked Oregon’s third offensive touchdown on a pass covering at least 49 yards.
Gage Hurych added a 21-yard field goal in the final minute, completing the scoring at 31-7.
The quarter-by-quarter totals reflected Oregon’s early control and late finish. The Ducks scored 14 points in the first quarter, seven in the second, none in the third and 10 in the fourth. Michigan scored seven points in the second quarter and was held scoreless in the other three periods.
For Oregon, the victory improved its conference record to 5-2 and overall mark to 7-3, with Raiola accounting for all four offensive passing touchdowns. The Ducks’ ability to produce three explosive scoring plays proved central to the result.
Michigan, meanwhile, dropped to 5-5 overall and 2-5 in Big Ten play. The loss was the Wolverines’ fifth in their last seven games. Hiter’s 70-yard touchdown provided their only scoring contribution, as Oregon shut them out for the remainder of the afternoon.
Hollis Brandt
College Football, The Library Media
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