​Conference realignment meant teams that have very little history on the field together would suddenly be playing each other on a regular basis in conference play. That’s the case this week for the Oregon Ducks and Northwestern Wildcats, meeting for just the third time ever on the afternoon of Halloween in Eugene.The Ducks and Wildcats have split the first two matchups in their series history, both of which took place in Evanston. Oregon made its first trip to visit the Wildcats in 1974 at Dyche Stadium, which was later renamed Ryan Field and closed in 2023. The Ducks entered the game with a 2-1 record, losing in blowout fashion on the road to Nebraska before securing narrow victories at home over Air Force and Utah.Northwestern prevailed at home, winning 14-10, thanks to a pair of touchdown passes by Mitch Anderson. The Ducks nearly came back to tie the game in the fourth quarter, but the Wildcats’ defense stood tall and denied Oregon a shot at the end zone.Oregon running back Don Reynolds, a two-sport star who went on to play for the San Diego Padres in MLB, rushed for 196 yards in the game, including a 56-yard touchdown run on his first carry of the game. Reynolds led Oregon’s rushing attack for three seasons and rushed for 1,002 yards and six touchdowns in 1973.That was the only non-conference matchup in series history between the programs. In 2025, the Ducks and Wildcats reunited in Evanston as members of the Big Ten, although the tables had turned. Oregon, then ranked No. 4 in the nation, blew past Northwestern for a 34-14 victory on the Wildcats’ temporary field.Dante Moore, making his third start for the Ducks, threw for 178 yards with one touchdown and an interception. Moore connected with Kenyon Sadiq for a 24-yard touchdown before halftime, and Dierre Hill Jr., making a return to his home state, broke out with a 66-yard rushing score early in the second half. The Ducks held a 34-0 lead entering the fourth quarter and let the backups enter the game, boosting Northwestern’s numbers a bit.THIS DUCK IS FLYING 🦆Dierre Hill Jr. sprints by everybody for the @OregonFootball TD ⚡️ pic.twitter.com/HnrKnyIfKm— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) September 13, 2025Oregon had a pair of interceptions in the game off Northwestern quarterback Preston Stone, with linebackers Bryce Boettcher and Jerry Mixon each snagging one turnover. However, the Wildcats had a big second half on the ground, rushing for 178 yards in the game, highlighted by a 79-yard touchdown run by Dashun Reeder. Joseph Himon II and Caleb Komolafe, both of whom lead Northwestern’s ground attack this season, combined for 122 rushing yards and a score in the game.This Saturday, on Halloween, the Wildcats will make their first-ever trip to Autzen Stadium. Chip Kelly, Northwestern’s offensive coordinator and former Oregon head coach, has the Wildcats’ offense humming behind a potent run game and senior quarterback Aidan Chiles, who previously played against the Ducks while at both O