Sixth-ranked Oregon survived the loss of starting quarterback Dante Moore for almost all of the second half and a slow start on offense, defeating Wisconsin 21-7 Saturday at rainy Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Ore.

The Ducks (7-1, 4-1 Big Ten) scored touchdowns on their final drive of the first half and first drive of the second, and it was more than enough to hand the Badgers their sixth consecutive loss.

Moore, who had been in the Heisman Trophy conversation earlier this season, went down with a bloody nose after being tackled on a run up the middle early in the third quarter. He returned to the sideline but was without his helmet the rest of the way.

Brock Thomas relieved Moore and led the Ducks on a pair of touchdown drives in the second half that secured the win for Oregon.

Thomas, a Eugene native in his third season in the Oregon program with no major playing time previously, threw a touchdown pass to offensive lineman Gernorris Wilson with 14:17 to play to give the Ducks a three-score lead.

Thomas completed all five of his pass attempts for 46 yards, though one was close to being picked off and was tipped for a completion.

The Ducks had a hard time with Wisconsin’s defense from the start, the Badgers getting a fourth-down stop on Oregon’s first possession and forcing three punts after that.

Oregon’s defense kept the Badgers (2-6, 0-5) off the board until Lance Mason caught a 2-yard touchdown pass from Hunter Simmons with 7:57 to play in the fourth quarter. The touchdown ended Wisconsin’s run of 11 quarters without a single point in a game.

Simmons completed 7 of 21 passes for 86 yards with a touchdown and interception. Running back Gideon Ituka had 85 rushing yards on 21 carries.

Oregon put the ball in the hands of its running backs more often in the inclement weather, and Jordon Davison had a pair of touchdown runs, one from three yards and a second from 20, as part of his 102 yards on 16 carries. Noah Whittington added 97 yards on 14 carries, including a 36-yard run in the third quarter.

The Ducks executed a fake punt for a touchdown late in the fourth quarter, but it was nullified by a penalty. Moments later, Ducks defensive back Daylen Austin intercepted a Simmons pass to seal the win for Oregon.

Wisconsin lost its 11th straight game to a Power Four conference opponent.

–Field Level Media