Oregon Ducks Kick Off 2025 Season Against FCS Power Bobcats

A New Era in Eugene

The No. 7 ranked Oregon Ducks are set to begin their 2025 college football campaign, hosting the formidable FCS powerhouse Montana State Bobcats at Autzen Stadium. After a dominant 2024 season that saw them hold the No. 1 ranking for a significant stretch before falling 41-21 to Ohio State in the College Football Playoff, the Ducks enter this year with a revamped roster and the same high expectations. Head coach Dan Lanning, who boasts an impressive 35-6 record through his first three seasons, will lead a young but exceptionally talented team into their second season in the Big Ten conference.

The most significant change for Oregon comes at the quarterback position. Following the departure of Dillon Gabriel, who was one of 10 Ducks selected in the 2025 NFL Draft, former five-star recruit Dante Moore is stepping into the starting role. Moore, a sophomore who sat behind Gabriel last season, will be tasked with commanding an offense that lost other key players, including running back Jordan James. The team will also be without wide receiver Evan Stewart and safety Trey McNutt for the opener due to injuries, according to the latest reports from digitaltrendstoday.com.

Don’t Underestimate the Bobcats

While Oregon is a heavy favorite, Montana State is far from a pushover. The Bobcats, ranked No. 2 in the FCS, are a perennial contender with a history of success. They too have undergone significant offseason changes, particularly on offense. Quarterback Tommy Mellott is now with the Las Vegas Raiders, and running back Scottre Humphrey has transferred to New Mexico. Their offense will now be led by former Stanford quarterback Justin Lamson.

Interestingly, the Ducks’ defense has prior experience with Lamson. During a 42-6 victory over Stanford in 2023, Oregon’s defense managed to sack him four times. Despite their personnel losses, the Bobcats retain potent weapons, including wide receiver Taco Dowler and running back Adam Jones, who rushed for 1,152 yards last season. Their powerful running game, which averaged nearly 300 yards per game in 2024, will be a key factor to watch.

Matchup Details and Historical Context

This game marks a rare meeting between the two programs. Their only previous encounter was on September 20, 1947, a game Oregon won 27-14 in Eugene. The Ducks will look to extend two impressive streaks: a 19-game regular-season winning streak and a 33-game winning streak in nonconference home games.

Betting markets reflect Oregon’s perceived advantage, with the Ducks favored by approximately 27.5 points and an over/under set at 56.5 points. ESPN’s Matchup Predictor gives Oregon a 95.5% chance of starting the season with a victory.

• Who: Montana State Bobcats vs. No. 7 Oregon Ducks
• When: Saturday, August 30, 2025
• Time: 4 p.m. ET / 1 p.m. PT
• Where: Autzen Stadium, Eugene, Oregon
• TV Channel: Big Ten Network

As the 2025 season kicks off, all eyes will be on Eugene to see if Dante Moore can successfully usher in a new offensive era for the Ducks and if the seasoned Montana State program can challenge one of the nation’s top teams on their home turf.