Oregon softball poised for swift return to the top ahead of Fall Ball season
Behind a surging sophomore quartet and No. 2 portal class, the Ducks are looking to head back to the postseason.
OPINION In Oregon, these boots are made for hiking
Ferguson: Looking for a Campus Job? Good Luck!
Opinion: The University of Oregon emphasizes the value of securing an oncampus job, but what’s rarely acknowledged is how difficult it is to actually land one.
Zaida Ferguson Opinion Columnist
It’s tough to get an on-campus job at the University of Oregon. With many unemployed students seeking convenient jobs within walking distance of their classes and homes, the hiring pool becomes competitive — resulting in hundreds of applications for limited positions.
It can seem a bit trifling not to meet campus job requirements due to a lack of experience, and it creates a frustrating cycle. If a student can’t gain experience from an on-campus job, where can they?
The hiring process on campus is difficult, from finding the right job for you and navigating the application and interview process, to getting the long-awaited decision. It takes a long time to get a response from these job listings, anywhere from two weeks to a month or just straight up ghosting altogether. The university consistently ghosts their students by posting job listings and proceeding to never reach back out.
When interviewing public relations major
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UO to alter Core Education requirements
UO makes several changes to undergraduate degree requirements for incoming students.
By Corey Hoffman Senior News Reporter
On Sept. 22, the University of Oregon sent an email to students detailing changes to some elements of the Core Education requirements that will go into effect Fall 2025.
Core Education requirements are required courses all students take that count towards a bachelor’s degree. Students take courses in three Areas of Inquiry in Natural Sciences, Social Sciences and Arts and Letters, as well as Cultural and Equity Literacy courses and composition courses, as well as their degree requirements.
Under the new requirements, Bachelors of Arts students second year language courses may be used for both the Bachelors of Arts and the Arts and Letters requirement.
For students earning a Bachelors of Science, math or computer science courses with a “greater than four designation,” according to the email, may be used for both the Bachelors of Science requirement and the science requirement under Areas of Inquiry.
These designations, according to Sally Garner, senior director for student success at the School of Journalism and Communication’s Undergraduate Advising Office, are used to indicate which credits a course fulfills in the Course Catalog.
Prior to Fall 2025, students were not allowed to use courses for both requirements.
These changes, according to Garner, are called “double-dipping,” and were decided on by UO’s Core Education Committee.
Under the new changes, each Area of Inquiry must have at least four courses in each area: Arts and Letters, Social Science and Science, and each course must have at least three credits.
“Prior to Fall 2025, at least 15 credits were required, not a specific number of classes,” the email stated.
The email also stated that each Area of Inquiry must have at least two different subject codes and that no more than three courses from the same subject code may be used to complete all three areas.”
Subject codes are a three-letter abbreviation that indicate which department is offering the course.
“If three ANTH courses are being used for the science requirement, a fourth ANTH course may not be used for the social science requirement, even if that course is coded with the ">2",” the email stated.
These changes are automatically applied to students entering UO in the Fall 2025. Students who were previously enrolled at UO before Fall 2025 may opt in to the changes but cannot reverse that decision.
According to Garner, student advising offices have no way of knowing how many students will choose to opt in to the changes.
UO ruled to have broken the law during UOSW certification campaign
The Oregon Employee Relations Board has ruled that UO broke the law during UOSW’s certification campaign from October 2022 to April 2023.
By Reilly Norgren News Editor
The Oregon Employee Relations Board has determined that the University of Oregon broke the law by prohibiting labor-related activity.
The board concluded that the UO violated ORS 243.672(1)(a), a statute that details how an employer cannot interfere with employee organizations or discriminate against employee exercises of rights.
According to Robin Bailey, a member of the communications committee at UOSW, final orders from the decision included demands that the university cease telling student workers that they could not engage in organizing activities while on work time, not give union presentations in a class, not sign union cards in a residence hall on campus or not wear union pins.
The final orders also outlined that the university must stop implying that Resident Assistant stipends could be delayed due to union activity.
In the spring, RAs were charged for their room and board cost if they participated in the UOSW strike. This included meal plans includ-
ed with their positions.
Because of this case, other Oregon universities are now guaranteed the right to sign union cards, or the document that a worker signs to join their union, in a dorm. UOSW’s complaint can now also be cited as case law in Oregon.
According to UOSW, 2,100 workers signed union cards in April 2023, the period in which UO was determined to have been suppressing union activity. More recently, UOSW won its first contract in May following an 11-day strike.
This is only one of several ULP complaints the union has filed against the university, according to Bailey.
The union has two remaining outstanding complaints against the university — one regarding the university’s retaliation against Resident Assistants who participated in the strike, and another about UO’s use of code of conduct charges against organizers during a free speech rally.
James Lavadour (Walla Walla, b. 1951). Land of Origin, 2015. Oil on panel, 39 x 78 inches. Jane and Spencer Beebe Family Trust.
ARTS & CULTURE
Scary movie season is back: exploring iconic scary movie soundtracks
Here is a look into the history of iconic horror movie scores in preparation for spooky season.
By Everette Cogswell Arts & Culture Writer
It is officially that time of year for scary movies. These movies are what make this time of year spooky and scary, however, the overlooked cherry on top are the iconic scores and music that accompany these films. From the chilling strings in “Psycho” to the haunting notes in “Jaws,” horror movie soundtracks play a huge role in the making of these movies.
You can’t talk about horror movie scores without mentioning the influence of the film “Psycho.” The score, composed by Bernard Herrmann, arguably shaped the relationship between the horror genre and music. Alfred Hitchcock, the film's director, worked very closely with Herrmann when creating this score. Whoosh Music writes of “Psycho’s” creepy music and its influence on the genre’s scoring, “the director wanted a music score that would create an atmosphere of a creepy unease and tension, and Herrmann was the man for the job.”
The piece of music in this score that has left its long-lasting impact on the thriller genre is the music that accompanies the famous shower scene. Using violins and violas in a way that is widely considered “unconventional,” Herrmann created one of the most well-known musical moments of all time. A notable quality of this score is the use of silence as a suspense tactic. This is a technique that greatly impacted the genre as a whole.
“Jaws” is another film notorious for its suspenseful and thrilling music. The famous two-note theme song is truly what makes the film as scary as it is. The partnership between director Steven Spielberg and composer John Williams played a huge role in the creation of this film and its score.
Williams first shared the main theme with Spielberg, the director wasn’t so sure of the sound. However, he was soon convinced that it was fitting for the film, and it stuck. Not only did it stick, but it quickly became one of the most recognizable pieces of music today.
The official site, The Legacy of John Williams, shares many details about the making of this score and Williams says “(the theme) is grinding away at you, just as a shark would do: instinctual, relentless (and) unstoppable,” and that it does. Throughout the film, Williams’s score notifies the audience when to be frightened and anticipate an attack. The power of this simple yet terrifying music is what makes it one of the best.
When “The Exorcist” was released in the early 1970s, the content of the film shocked many and it quickly became a cult classic. Winning the Academy Award for Best Sound Mixing, “The Exorcist” used a score that wasn’t originally made for the film.
When British musician Mike Oldfield wrote the most recognizable piece, “Tubular Bells,” he used a collection of eerie sounds played on a variety of instruments. Oldfield composed this song when he was just 19 years old in 1972, and in 1973, a complete album was released. “Tubular Bells”
was the main track on the album and is 49 minutes long. When director of the film William Friedkin discovered this piece, it was still relatively unknown. Once he heard it, he was immersed in the atmosphere of the music. What makes the score of this film unique is that this singular song is utilized throughout the duration of the film. The length of “Tubular Bells” allowed for Friedkin to develop the song as if it were a character. While this monstrous work of music wasn’t originally intended for this movie, it sure fits the demonic and thrilling energy the film holds.
It wouldn’t be Halloween without the famous theme from the film “Halloween.” Written, directed and composed by John Carpenter, “Halloween” is widely regarded as having one of the most iconic soundtracks of all time. Strongly influenced by the aforementioned soundtracks such as “Tubular Bells” and the score of “Psycho,” Carpenter used a rhythm inspired by a bongo exercise he learned from his father in the early 1960s. Now, it is nearly impossible not to hear the simple yet haunting piano and drums every Halloween.
All of these films and scores helped shape the thriller universe into what it is today. If you choose to spend your spooky season cuddled up in front of the TV with these iconic films, let the scores fill you with dread and Halloween spirit.
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ARTS & CULTURE
In Oregon, these boots are made for hiking
Ready to dive into everything Oregon has to offer for the great outdoors? Check out these hikes in and around Eugene.
By Bella Graham Arts & Culture Writer
After what feels like a long summer, Eugene is here to welcome us back for another year. With cooler weather and changing leaves, it’s the perfect opportunity to get outside. Whether you’re new to Eugene, or just need a refresher of what the area has to offer, here are a few hikes to check out.
The Classic: Skinner Butte
Skinner Butte is the perfect hike for those not looking to travel very far — it’s nestled right outside the downtown area of Eugene, just a 0.3-mile walk from the 5th Street Public Market.
If you start on the trailhead on the North side of the Butte, it’s around a two-mile hike round trip. It is considered to be of moderate difficulty due to the elevation gain. There is potable water, picnic tables and restrooms available at the trailhead.
“It’s a shorter hike, and because it’s pretty close to campus, it’s nicer for people who can’t drive super far to go on hikes,” junior Abby Nolan said. If you don’t feel like hiking, there’s always the option to drive to the top to take in the views of the city.
The Gauntlet: Ridgeline Trail System
This is a 12-mile trail system popular for both hiking and trail running, with seven different trailheads. The system is made up of semi-connected parklands around South Eugene, with options for hikes ranging in length.
To hike the entire trail, start at the Blanton Road trailhead, which is a 15-minute drive from campus. If you do all 12 miles, the trail will spit you out at the Spring Boulevard trailhead near Mount Baldy Park (a 20-minute drive from campus). There are also options for shorter hikes, if you’re looking for a more casual experience.
Spencer Butte, another popular hiking destination, is a part of this trail system. The summit hike offers views of the Willamette Valley, the city of Eugene and the Cascades. It's a 2.2-mile round trip.
“Spencer Butte is great — it's a little challenging, but it provides really great views of all of the Willamette Valley,” junior Marco Montemore said.
The Belle of the Ball: Mount June Trail
About one hour from Eugene, the Mount June trail is a two-mile out-and-back hike that takes you through mossy forests, wildflowers and rhododendrons, depending on the time of year you go. It’s accessible from April to December.
“It gives you a great view of Oakridge, and you can see Eugene from really far away. It’s very pretty,” Montemore said.
If the weather allows, you can also see Mount Bachelor, the Three Sisters, Mount Hood and more. At the top of Mount June, you’ll be able to check out the old foundation of a now-defunct fire lookout. If you’re looking for a longer hike, you can opt for the 7.5-mile trail that’ll bring you to the same views.
The Crown Jewel: Trail of Ten Falls
This trail is located in Silver Falls State Park – the largest state park in Oregon — and is a 7.2-mile loop that takes you to the foot of the 10 waterfalls, and behind four of them! If you plan on doing this loop, start at the South Falls Lodge trailhead.
The trail is accessible year-round and is considered to be moderately difficult. To accompany the waterfalls, the trail offers colorful foliage during the fall, making it well worth your while. Up toward Salem, the Trail of Ten Falls is about a 1.5-hour drive from Eugene.
For a shorter hike with similar views, there is the North Rim Trail in Silver Falls State Park, which is a one-mile out-and-back hike and is accessible from the North Canyon Trailhead. There are also other shorter trails if this one doesn’t interest you.
You will need a permit for this trail; there’s a day-use parking permit available on-site for $10, or you can get the annual Oregon State Parks pass for $30.
Regardless of where you’re hiking, always make sure to check permit requirements, along with advisories for wildfire damage. The UO’s Outdoor Program is also a great resource for gear rental and trip planning. Happy hiking!
(Alyssa Garcia/Emerald)
( BELOW ) View from Skinner’s Butte in Eugene, Ore., overlooking the city skyline.
Oregon softball poised for swift return to the mountaintop ahead of Fall Ball season
By Joe Krasnowski Sports Reporter
Oregon is not the norm for college softball. For most programs, multiple all-country seniors cannot be merely replaced in the transfer portal. For most programs, a Big Ten regular season championship and a trip to Oklahoma City features a once-in-alifetime team, not one largely expected to be better the year after.
A furious offseason recruiting cycle — plausibly spearheaded by increased NIL funding — has put Oregon in a position to make another bid at its first national championship.
Despite losing several star seniors, including Paige Sinicki and sisters Kai and Kedre Luschar, head coach Melyssa Lombardi dipped into the portal and scored large. Commitments from Elon Butler (University of California, Berkeley), Addison Amaral (University of Notre Dame) and Amari Harper (Texas A&M University), parlayed with one of the best 2024 freshman classes in the country, has Oregon looking to remain among the elite in the Big Ten and NCAA.
Helping that case will be senior pitchers Lyndsey Grein and Elise Sokolsky, who combined to toss 341.1 of the team’s 410.2 innings in 2024-2025.
Grein — who was one of three NFCA All-Americans alongside outfielder Kedre Luschar and sophomore infielder Rylee McCoy — will enter 2025 as one of the top players in college softball and a legitimate ace for the Ducks.
Sokolsky, on the other hand, was nearly as dominant, sporting a team-best ERA (2.09) while seeing her workload increase significantly from years past.
The other pitchers are awesome. We’re all so different in that everybody has their own specific talent. “
"The other pitchers are awesome," Grein said last season. "We're all so different in that everybody has their own specific talent."
Realistically, Oregon will need four somewhat reliable arms out of the bullpen to compete down the stretch, so it will be up to one of freshman Maddie Milhorn or sophomore Rowan Thompson to add reliable innings alongside junior arm Taylour Spencer. Lombardi also chose not to add a left handed arm out of the transfer portal, a storyline that could prove noteworthy in late-game situations where every matchup matters.
Offensively, though, is where the Ducks are expected to shine this season, with the additions of Butler, Amaral and Harper, each of whom received all conference recognition in 2024-25. The three transfers were also deemed the No. 2 transfer portal class in the country by Softball America behind Texas Tech University.
Butler steps right into the corner-outfield void left by the Luschar sisters and will add a consistent presence in the Ducks lineup.
"I am impressed with Elon's power at the plate," Lombardi said to GoDucks. "She can change the game with one swing. She has faced elite pitching her entire career and has excelled. She can turn a single into a double with her ability
to run. I also like her athleticism and versatility on defense."
In Amaral, Lombardi landed a near-seamless Sinicki replacement at shortstop. Amaral led Notre Dame in batting average (.365), runs (29), hits (57), doubles (11) and home runs (nine).
“Addi (Amaral) is a very impressive athlete,” Lombardi said to GoDucks. “I like her range up the middle and her ability to make the 50-50 plays look easy.”
Lastly in Harper, Oregon is getting a near-certain top-of-the-order bat with a legitimate case to be an All-American level player. Harper slashed a tremendous (.421/.536/.698) with eight home runs in college softball’s best conference. She will likely play the majority of time in right field, where she made 22 starts last season for the Aggies.
Oregon will enter the season with a head of steam and nothing but good vibes in its stratosphere. In light of recent success for their WCWS run, Lombardi was rewarded with a four-year contract extension that runs through the 2030 season.
“Oregon softball is one of the elite programs in the country under Missy Lombardi’s leadership, and she consistently prioritizes a first-class student-athlete experience,” Oregon Athletic Director Rob Mullens said at the time of the extension. “Her leadership has the program on a tremendous trajectory – competing at the highest level while developing young women who thrive on the field and in the classroom. We’re excited about the bright future of Oregon softball under Missy’s continued leadership.”
Lombardi, now in her eighth season in Eugene, is equally committed.
“When I was hired at Oregon, I said our mission was to compete and win at an elite level while enhancing the student-athlete experience,” Lombardi said at the time of her extension. “We remain committed to those goals and to ensuring every aspect of this program makes all Oregon Duck fans proud.”
Oregon will take that momentum into an eightgame fall season beginning on Oct. 12.
The Ducks will open the regular season on Feb. 6 against Missouri at the NFCA Leadoff Classic in Clearwater, Florida.
( RIGHT ) Oregon gathered at home plate to celebrate with the fans at Jane Sanders Stadium. Oregon Softball defeated Stanford to advance to the Super Regionals in Eugene, Ore. on May 18, 2025.
(Tyler Graham/Emerald)
)
17, 2025.
(Tyler Graham/Emerald)
( LEFT
Oregon Softball defeated Weber State in the NCAA Softball Regionals in Eugene, Ore. on May
Lyndsey Grein
UO Softball Pitcher (ON THE COVER) Oregon third
OPINION
Ortega: The cost of living alone
Opinion: Recently moving into a single bedroom, I am overbearingly stressed thinking about the costs adding up.
D Ortega Opinion Columnist
Thanks to my new property manager, I find myself with a living situation that is somewhat ideal. I’ve got a private bathroom and a kitchen – yet no microwave, dishwasher or even laundry utilities set in place. Without these amenities, I still pay a flat rent fee of $1,095 a month.
Originally as an out-of-state student, I was able to cut down my costs to attend by establishing residency within the state and becoming a half-time student my sophomore year.
Though I had to work extra hard my junior year to catch up on credits to graduate within the four years I intended to, it was worth it to minimize tuition costs. However, this was only achievable after having to work three jobs during the fall term of my junior year.
At this point, I was living with two other UO students and had split the rent at about $870. That is the least amount of money I’ve had to pay to live in Eugene thus far.
UO senior Brock Burgess discussed his living situation last year.
“To afford a tiny studio apartment, I had to split it with someone else because the rent was over $1,500 and that didn’t even include parking. For students attending the university and living off campus, the estimated cost of living is around $12,774 for the year.
“It’s crazy that housing that’s supposed to be affordable for college students can add up to
Zaida is an advertising major with a minor in philosophy and business at the University of Oregon. She’s passionate about storytelling that amplifies underrepresented voices and critiques systemic issues.
more than $1,700 a month. I work full-time and without someone to split the rent with, there’s no way I could make it work,” Burgess said.
George Wormuth, a UO senior, discussed the complexity of finding off-campus housing.
“Without making connections, it would’ve been difficult to move out of my previous living situation. Thankfully, I was able to find a house in need of a roommate and my rent is much cheaper than the student living complex. I have yet to fully live on my own but being able to live in a place where I feel comfortable with my roommates will allow me to save a bit more money,” Wormuth said.
Most college students don’t get a say in whether they should live with roommates or not. Often, this is the only option as it lowers costs significantly. The luxury of living alone with complete privacy is often an unattainable option for students given the current costs of housing.
According to Apartments.com, the cost of living in Eugene is 7.8% higher than the national average.
The average rent is a monthly rate of $1,437 compared to the U.S. national average of $1,640.
If a UO student isn’t living on a trust fund account or doesn’t have scholarships to alleviate tuition costs, they will have to make at least $4,790 to live comfortably in Eugene. That is if they don’t have financial help from anybody.
How can we expect this to be realistic as full-time students are required to take at least 12 credits a term?
It seems like other countries have figured out a way to make attending university affordable. Though some countries in Europe are pricey in terms of living costs, most universities there don’t charge for tuition at all. There are also direct housing subsidies available as well as stronger tenant protections that regulates rent charges while also slowing the inflation of housing – mitigating costs for students.
As living begins to get much more expensive in America, so will the cost of student housing, making it much more difficult for students to find accommodating and affordable housing off-campus.
D is an opinion columnist for the Daily Emerald. She is a third-year student and originally comes from Las Vegas, but resides in Houston.
Ferguson: Looking for a Campus Job? Good Luck!
Ellie Acosta about this issue, she said, “I’m really lucky to have been able to be hired on campus, but I can attest firsthand to how hard it is to find open positions or even get an interview. When searching for jobs, I applied to over 20 on Handshake, and only heard back from five. Only two of those offered me interviews, and luckily, one of them worked out for me.”
Due to a lack of timely responses from job postings, students often resort to mass applying to these listings, hoping to land a position anywhere that will take them. This behavior leads to a hyper-inflated response rate for each listing, creating a paradox: the more students apply out of desperation, the harder it becomes for anyone’s application to stand out.
I’ve seen job listings on Handshake where the only preferred qualification was to be a junior, and proceeded to receive an email that declined students who were juniors, stating they didn’t want juniors or seniors because of their limited remaining time at the university. Even when you meet their qualifications, the chance of getting one of these positions seems slim.
According to UO’s Oregon News website, there were 30,539 student applications for on-campus jobs in a single year, with only 11% of those applications resulting in filled positions. While UO hasn’t released updated figures since 2019, the volume of student job applications in a single year likely remains high or even higher today, given inflation, rising tuition and increased student enrollment.
With limited on-campus positions, I can’t help but think about how closely the amount of denied job applications relates to the current unemployment rate in America. Many students lose their jobs unexpectedly, and with so few on-campus positions available and the amount of denied student applications, it starts to resemble the unemployment crisis in America. As a student, seeing this epidemic reflected in the university doesn’t provide a comforting feeling for soon-to-be graduates.
Over the summer, students received emails stating that they would not have their previously
held on-campus job, citing “performance issues.”
The University of Oregon Student Workers Union released a statement following the recent summer layoffs stating, “… many student workers received recent notice of job cuts — either the UO deciding to not reappoint them in the fall or to replace their position entirely with students eligible for work-study.” The university points to its $29.2 million dollar budget deficit as the culprit of the deficit.
UO may promote student employment as a pillar of campus life, but it’s more complicated than that. Between long response times, contradictory qualifications and budget-driven restrictions, students are left scrambling about finding a source of income while also trying to adhere to a disheartening system of applying and getting denied time after time.
While these issues may seem small, they reflect a deeper problem for students. If you can’t get a job on campus, how hard is it going to be to get a job off campus?
(Stephanie Yang/Emerald)
1 Time zone 2 hrs. ahead of us
4 US Congresswoman who once played Among Us live
7 Cavs, on a scoreboard
8 Grind, as teeth
11 “Hey, are you from ___?
Cause you’re the only ten I see...”
13 Mars’ counterpart, gender-wise
14 “My condolences”, over text
15 ATM ID
16 French for sea (also apt prefix for ___maid)
17 Donkey
18 The ___ that broke the camel’s back
20 “What state has the smallest soft drinks? ___!”
22 Shaquille who also goes by DJ Diesel
23 Spearheaded
24 ___ Aviv
25 Magazine staff, for short
DOWN
1 Letters on a security guard’s screen
2 Takes advantage of a school holiday, perhaps
3 Barrier on the court?
4 A myriad of years
5 Carry-___ (additional bags)
6 Hot tuna dish
9 Like a saw, but not a sword
10 “___ Ya!” - OutKast
12 Convent dweller
16 Hood and the Three Sisters in Oregon, ex.
17 “I love,” in Latin
18 Vend
19 Lumps of cash
21 When doubled, dance move done after the Whip
No. 2 Ducks soar through opening five games
Oregon football cruised through its early schedule and moved into the bulk of its season undefeated.
By Jack Lazarus Sports Editor
No.
2 Oregon (5-0, 2-0 Big Ten) couldn’t have asked for a stronger start to the season.
The Ducks started with four wins in their first four games, and none of them were even a contest. They led each of those games by 30+ points and didn’t fall behind at all. In their fifth, a 30-24 double overtime win at Penn State, Oregon dominated the box score in one of college football’s most difficult environments.
“I feel good about our team. I really like our team,” head coach Dan Lanning said.
The key for these Ducks, especially trying to avoid the hangover from last season’s success, has been their ability to answer the questions posed by by that season.
The most prominent example being that Oregon went into the season with major question marks around who would be leading the offense. The conversations coming out of camp made it seem like current backup Austin Novosad had a decent chance at becoming the starter, but as soon as the Ducks took the gridiron, they knew they had their guy.
Redshirt sophomore Dante Moore bided his time behind Heisman Trophy finalist Dillon Gabriel, and when his time finally came, Moore delivered.
Through the first five games, Moore posted 1,210 yards, 14 touchdowns and just one interception. Those stats are made even more impressive when considering Moore only played in the fourth quarter a handful of times before Penn State, where he shone under pressure — the Ducks were up by just too much.
Moore, now the odds-on favorite to win the Heisman Trophy (awarded to the best player in college football, also currently holds the fifth-best quarterback rating in the country at 195.9 and fifth-best completion percentage in the country at 74.7%. The thing with Moore that’s striking is his calmness; he simply doesn’t care about those numbers, just winning.
“It’s great when you’re winning football games,” Moore said. “We push ourselves at practice to make sure the fans and our teammates and everybody just feels the juice and energy we’re flying around the football field with.”
Moore also built off Gabriel’s at times questionable decision-making and has proven to be adverse to taking major risks — a positive quality in a young quarterback. Moore would rather take five yards with his legs than force a pass into a tight window and risk a turnover, which was something critics bemoaned Gabriel for last season.
“What Dante’s done a lot is take what’s there,” Lanning said. “There’s some moments when they had good coverage
down the field, and he was able to win with his legs.”
This all came to a head going into the Week 5 blockbuster in State College, PA. The matchup between then No. 6 Oregon and No. 3 Penn State promised to be a spectacle. The Nittany Lions brought out the infamous “white-out” for the contest with the Ducks, and it proved to be every bit the “greatest show on Earth” it’s billed to be.
There was not a single point of that game where Moore looked either nervous or out of place, as his 29/39, 248 yard and three touchdown performance would suggest. There was an extra component to that composure as well.
Going into one of the loudest environments in college football and appearing as calm as Moore did just shouldn’t be possible.
These questions about Moore, and the Ducks as a whole, were brought up a ton during preseason. While answering many of those by Week 5 wasn’t something expected for the Ducks, it’s sure a welcome sight heading into the second half of the season.
Welcome to the Dante Moore era.
( ABOVE) Oregon Ducks running back Noah Whittington (6) sprints towards the end zone, leaving the Oklahoma State Cowboys defense behind. The University of Oregon Ducks play against the Oklahoma State Cowboys at Autzen Stadium on Sept. 6, 2025. (Saj Sundaram/Emerald)
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New to Oregon sports? Here’s what you need to see fall term
Oregon sports are an important part of campus life, look out for these fall term games.
By Rowan Shea Sports Writer
The sports scene at the University of Oregon is a part of everyday life. There seem to be constant Instagram posts of new football uniforms, scenic drone shots of Autzen Stadium, PK Park and Papé Field. It would be almost impossible to walk through campus without seeing anything related to an upcoming game.
Below are games during fall term that fans should be on the lookout for.
Football games are the main draw for Ducks fans. Autzen is always fueled by the screams of 54,000 Oregon fans, and it evokes an infectious desire to keep going back.
The game to see at Autzen this year will be on Nov. 22 when the USC Trojans will march up to Autzen Stadium. It’s a storied matchup, especially since both Oregon and USC were in the Pac-12 until 10 of the 12 teams left in 2024, with the Trojans leading the series at 39 wins to Oregon’s 23.
USC has a strong offensive roster, but against the strong Oregon competition, the Trojans do not hold up. Quarterback Jayden Maiava has shown great vision and command of his offense through five weeks, throwing for over 1500 yards. His offensive contributions aren’t just bullet passes and deep bombs – he can run too, with four rushing touchdowns and 57 yards in 2025.
USC’s receiving and running core both have a cornerstone at each position in Ja’Kobi Lane and Waymond Jordan.
Lane will be looking to create a lot of distance and separation down the field, and with his frame he is able to easily knock defenders out of his way, which defensive back Dillon Thienemen will have to watch out for; however, Lane could be out against the Ducks with an injury he sustained in a game against Purdue. Jordan hardly ever breaks off a run to the side of the offensive line. He will barrel toward the center of the field and work his way to one sideline or the other after getting past the offensive line.
Women’s Volleyball:
This is the premier Big Ten matchup at Autzen Stadium for the Ducks this season.
The Ducks’ volleyball team will be taking on a lot of challenging opponents this season. From Nebraska to Wisconsin, Purdue, Minnesota to Penn State, the Big Ten is loaded with solid programs this year.
Following a 24-8 record last season, Oregon’s volleyball program is coming into the season with a new head coach in Trent Kersten and a plethora of transfers from both inside the United States and out. With Kersten at the helm, the Ducks started strong at 9-2 on the season, but are 0-2 in conference play. Although currently unranked, Oregon has a roster that can rival any ranked Big Ten team.
The Ducks have a set of games that all have the opportunity to be a thriller. Facing ranked Minnesota, Penn State and Wisconsin, as well as unranked yet still strong UCLA all within two weeks, the Ducks could have a tough time against all. In 2024, the Ducks swept the Golden Gophers 3-0 in their one-time matchup, and won both games against
UCLA 3-0 and 3-1.
The Ducks volleyball team have had moments in games where they have needed to fight back into sets. With star players in Valentina Vaulet and Alanah Clemente, the Ducks are never truly out of a set or game. Going to any of these games would be a great way to get your first taste of college volleyball.
Women’s Soccer:
Big Ten play has already started for the women's soccer team. Like women's volleyball, Oregon women’s soccer has hired a new head coach in Tracy Joyner, and with her the Ducks have brought in many new transfers.
The start to Big Ten play this season has been, for lack of a better term, poor. Oregon is 0-3-2 in conference play; however, that should in no way discourage fans from showing up and supporting the team at Papé Field on Oct. 16 against Wisconsin.
Wisconsin, as of Sept. 29, are in the top 25 rankings, sitting at No. 7, after they beat Michigan State, and should be a fun opponent for Oregon to face. Oct. 16 will also be a fun fan experience due to the women’s soccer Stomp Out Cancer Game.
( ABOVE) Grace Mensah (9) avoids Emilia Deppe’s (16) defence. The Purdue Boilermakers defeated the University of Oregon Ducks 1-0 Sunday, September 29 2024. (Miles Cull/Emerald)
Football:
