After sloppy start, No. 2 Oregon hangs on for 34-27 home win over Boise State

Dakorien Moore saved Oregon from a potential Week 1 loss.

Moore's 62-yard catch-and-run TD gave the No. 2 Ducks a fourth-quarter lead they wouldn't relinquish in a 34-27 win over Boise State on Saturday. Just take a look at the cut Moore made to free himself from two Boise State defenders before sprinting to the end zone:

After Moore's TD, Oregon forced Boise State to punt, but the Broncos got the ball back again with less than three minutes to go. The Ducks' defensive line finally started getting pressure to Boise State quarterback Maddux Madsen, however, and forced Boise State into a turnover on downs with 1:41 to go before the Broncos had a chance to cross midfield.

"We won the game, it starts there," Oregon coach Dan Lanning told CBS after the game. "There's a lot to fix. There's a lot to clean up."

Oregon had nearly 500 yards of total offense, but as Lanning noted, it was hardly a perfect effort. A fumbled punt allowed Boise State to take a second-quarter lead — though a penalty should have been called on the play — and Boise State matched Oregon on the line of scrimmage for much of the game.

The Ducks also had 10 penalties for 90 yards and failed on all three of their fourth-down attempts while Boise State converted two of its three.

QB Dante Moore was 28-of-37 passing for 388 yards and three touchdowns. Jeremiah McClellan was his big-play target. McClellan had six catches for 150 yards and a TD, while TE Jamari Johnson also added a TD before the end of the first half that closed Boise State's lead at the break to three.

Boise State looks like a playoff contender

Oregon's escape will be the takeaway for a lot of people after Week 1. But it's imperative to not overlook Boise State's effort and how it could be viewed by the College Football Playoff committee as the season goes on.

In 2024, Oregon needed a last-second field goal to beat the Broncos in Week 2. Oregon went undefeated in the regular season on the way to the Big Ten title and a Rose Bowl berth. Boise State, powered by Heisman runner-up Ashton Jeanty, earned the Group of Five's CFP berth and a first-round bye into the Fiesta Bowl.

Boise State is in the Pac-12 instead of the Mountain West now. But its only realistic pathway to the playoff is still with the spot that goes to the highest-ranked non-power conference champion.

And if there's such a thing as a good loss, Saturday's game was it. Two years ago proved it.

Yes, Boise State got outgained by 223 yards and over 3.6 yards per play and needed a fortunate turnover. But after Tulane and James Madison were blown out in the playoff a season ago, hanging with a team that has a fantastic chance to be in the 12-team field will go a long way in November if Boise State is at the top of the Pac-12.