​EUGENE — The 2026 season is on the verge of completely unraveling for the Oregon Ducks. One more loss, and any shred of postseason hopes would be extinguished.Yet even after two upset losses and falling out of the rankings — despite starting the season at No. 2 — the Ducks (3-2, 1-1 Big Ten) remain focused, together and committed to salvaging the season. “One thing I really love is the way the people in the locker room have been responding to this adversity,” sophomore cornerback Brandon Finney Jr. said.After his team’s 17-15 loss to No. 12 UCLA on Saturday, Oregon coach Dan Lanning said the team would be measured by how it responds moving forward.On Wednesday, he said the team has elevated its work ethic and embraced accountability.“I’ve been proud of the way that they’ve worked,” Lanning said. “I don’t see a lot of hanging heads, right? I think that’s challenging, too, especially when you’re young, to not lose a little bit of gusto and not lose a little bit of belief.”Oregon linebacker Devon Jackson (#9) drops UCLA running back Wayne Knight (#3) for no gain as the No. 13 Ducks face the No. 21 Bruins in a Big Ten college football game at Autzen Stadium in Eugene on Saturday, Oct. 10, 2026. Sean Meagher/The OregonianThe Ducks, who host Nebraska (5-1, 2-1) at 8 p.m. Saturday, responded well to adversity following a 39-31 loss at Oklahoma State on Sept. 12. Oregon won its next two games, including a 41-27 win at USC on Sept. 26.That victory seemed to give the Ducks a fresh start. But two weeks later, they lost to the Bruins and dropped out of the rankings.Now, Oregon must run the table to have a legitimate shot at the College Football Playoff, which seemed like a given for a team that returned most of its starters from last year’s semifinal squad.RELATED: Can the Ducks bounce back from UCLA loss? Experts release new Oregon vs. Nebraska predictionsIt’s not uncommon for teams with grand expectations to unravel in tough times. So far, that hasn’t happened.“The team is very connected and maintains its composure whether we’re winning or losing,” punter Bailey Ettridge said. “We haven’t let the losses last week and against Oklahoma State bring us down. I think we’ve handled them well.”Wide receiver Dakorien Moore said the team is filled with players who came to Oregon to win and be great. He added that the team’s goals remain attainable, and team leaders have worked to encourage togetherness and mutual trust.“If you can’t trust your teammate, then everything ain’t going to form in the way that it’s supposed to,” he said.This also means trusting the process, the plan and the team’s goal to get better instead of blaming one another.Oregon head coach Dan Lanning talks to the defense during a timeout as the No. 13 Oregon Ducks face the No. 21 UCLA Bruins in a Big Ten college football game at Autzen Stadium in Eugene on Saturday, Oct. 10, 2026. Sean Meagher/The Oregonian“Everybody knows what we