The sky was light gray, rain falling from the sky and the wind gusty, four hours before kickoff at Autzen Stadium. As the rain, storm clouds and wind began to fade, a sea of yellow fell upon the seats at Autzen. That sea of yellow was no sunshine — it was the sea of fans flooding in repping all yellow for Stomp out Cancer, with the Ducks wearing their new Hero’s uniform. Friday night the Ducks did all their stomping out on the field as they went to shut down Michigan State University 31-10.

After tough performances against Boise State and Idaho, many wondered if the Ducks defense could handle the expectations this year. There were huge reactions from fans about the 37-34 win over Boise State and tons of concern the defense wouldn’t perform in the Big Ten. The Ducks defense sent all those doubts down the pond with their monstrous win over Michigan State University. 

For the first time in a while here at Autzen, the Ducks defensive energy roared throughout the stadium, beginning with defensive lineman Jamaree Caldwell forcing a fumble at the goaline on the Spartans’ first possession. Caldwell had made defensive waves against the Spartans offensive line, waves they couldn’t ride. Caldwell wasn’t the only disruptive Duck on the field. Former Spartan turned Duck Derrick Harmon also got his hands dirty. Harmon on 1st-and-10 ravaged the Spartans quarterback Aiden Chiles for an 11-yard loss, causing 2nd-and-20. Harmon was sending a message to his former team and Chiles felt that message.

“D. Harmon played absolutely phenomenally tonight,” wide receiver Tez Johnson said. “Being a Michigan State transfer, he had blood on his shoulders going into that game.” 

The Ducks had held the Spartans far out from the very start, making sure to never let them garner any momentum. In the first half alone the Spartans only gathered a total of 21 yards rushing and 81 yards passing. With the Spartans offense struggling, The Ducks preyed on that by holding the Spartans scoreless in the first half. 

Sophomore linebacker Teitum Tuioti also had a very significant role to play in Oregon's first-half shutout, as he produced three solo tackles in the first quarter and finished the night with seven total. Although Tuioti is a young player for this Ducks squad, he’s more than ready to be a star for them.  

“This guy plays with unbelievable effort all the time,” head coach Dan Lanning said. “When he's out there on the field he executes at a high level…that same thing showed up tonight.”

It would only worsen for the Spartans at the start of the second half when quarterback Aiden Chiles was sacked by Oregon's Jordan Burch. That was the second sack of the night for linebacker Jordan Burch, his first coming in the second quarter. Burch put the pressure on the Spartans offense, he was just too much to handle. Jordan Burch led the Ducks defense tonight in sacks with 2.5 and tackles-for-loss with 2.5. The Ducks’ defense felt complete tonight with help from defensive back Tysheem Johnson and linebacker Bryce Boettcher who both recorded four tackles.

At the end of the third quarter, all hope was lost for the Spartans, the score being 24-0 against the Spartans. However, when getting a touchdown seemed out of the picture, Chiles would connect on a big 33-yard pass to wide receiver Montorie Foster Jr. The pass helped the Spartans rally just enough energy to get an eventual 1-yard rushing touchdown against the Mighty Ducks. 

That would be the only touchdown the Spartans would score against Oregon tonight. Oregon’s defense showed tremendous control against Michigan State University. The way Oregon’s defense played there shouldn’t be any concerns going forward. The Ducks faced their adversity and outside noise with heart and dedication and proved why they’re here to stay in the Big Ten.  

The Oregon Ducks’ next foe comes at home against the fierce No. 3 Ohio State Buckeyes. The Ducks look to face this challenge the same as every other challenge they’ve faced this year.

“The important thing is the game,” head coach Dan Lanning said. “Playing the game, not the occasion, that’s what’s important for us to play great.”