Penn State Football Must Limit These Four Players to Beat Oregon
Penn State Football’s matchup against the Oregon Ducks is the first real test of the 2025 season for both teams.
We have already written plenty on both the key players for Penn State and potential X-factors for Penn State in the matchup. Now, changing our focus over to the other sideline, here are the four Oregon players that Penn State must slow down to come away with a statement win Saturday night.
Penn State Football Must Slow These Ducks to Win White Out Clash
Quarterback Dante Moore
Former five-star quarterback Dante Moore replaced Dillon Gabriel as the starter at Oregon after sitting behind the now Cleveland Browns quarterback in 2024.
Moore has started red hot during the Ducks 4-0 start in 2025, completing 74.7 percent of his passes for 962 yards and 11 touchdowns. Penn State’s defense and defensive coordinator Jim Knowles will have their hands full slowing down Moore through the air. With only one sack so far on the season, however, one way to potentially slow down Moore is through pressure in the backfield.
The Nittany Lions will need Dani Dennis-Sutton, Zuriah Fisher, and Zane Durant will need to step up against Oregon’s offensive line to put pressure on Moore and force him to make quick decisions.
Wide Receiver Dakorien Moore
Despite being only a freshman, wide receiver Dakorien Moore is already breaking onto the scene as one of the top receivers in the Big Ten. Through four games, Moore has caught 12 passes for 207 yards and two touchdowns for the Ducks, averaging 17.3 yards per catch.
Penn State’s secondary will have a tall task to keep Moore in check Saturday and prevent him from making a game-changing play down the field for the Ducks.
Tight End Kenyon Sadiq
When Penn State head coach James Franklin brings up Tyler Warren’s name in the same sentence of Oregon’s Kenyon Sadiq as he did during his press conference Monday, you should be paying attention.
Sadiq has been excellent for the Ducks this season, catching 9 passes for 155 yards, scoring three touchdowns, and averaging 17.2 yards per catch. Penn State will need both its linebackers and safeties to step up in coverage to limit Sadiq’s damage on Saturday.
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Linebacker Matayo Uiagalelei
Penn State’s offensive line was talked about all offseason as potentially the best in college football and a frontrunner for the Joe Moore Award.
This Saturday, they will have to play like it to keep Drew Allar out of harms way from Oregon’s pass rush, including star linebacker Matayo Uiagalelei. Uiagalelei has three sacks already through four games and will give Penn State’s offensive line headaches.
It is vitally important to keep Uiagalelei out of the backfield and give Drew Allar enough time to pick apart Oregon’s defense.
Penn State and Oregon’s clash Saturday could be the game of the season, with both teams trying to get a foot up on the race for the Big Ten championship and a bye in the College Football Playoff.
When the dust settles Saturday night, whether Penn State is able to come out with a victory over the Oregon Ducks will likely depend on how well they are able to slow down these four players.
MORE Penn State Football News from NittanyCentral:
Penn State Football Recruiting: 5 Top Offensive Targets Set to Visit for White Out vs. Oregon
Penn State’s “Generations of Greatness” Uniforms Should be Permanent Whiteout Fixture | SHIELDS
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- Penn State Football Must Limit These Four Players to Beat Oregon - September 25, 2025
- Penn State Football: 3 X-Factors Who Could Fuel a White Out Win vs. Oregon - September 24, 2025
- Penn State’s “Generations of Greatness” Uniforms Should be Permanent Whiteout Fixture | SHIELDS - September 24, 2025