How Oregon Ducks performed in Week 3 of the 2026 season

How Oregon Ducks performed in Week 3 of the 2026 season

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How Oregon Ducks performed in Week 3 of the 2026 season

The Oregon Ducks' 84-0 win over the Portland State Vikings allowed for a large number of reserves to take the field with the game in hand and gain valuable reps, many of whom saw action for the first time as Ducks. And for a roster filled with blue-chippers, there wasn't a huge drop off in the play from the starters to the backups.

True freshman wide receiver Messiah Hampton caught two touchdowns, while fellow true freshman safety Jett Washington picked off two passes in the second half. Running backs Da'Jaun Riggs, Brandon Smith and Tradarian Ball, who combined to carry the ball one time for two yards through the first two games, recorded a combined 32 carries for 186 yards and two touchdown against the Vikings. Washington wasn't the only true freshman safety to intercept a pass, as Davon Benjamin joined in on the fun.

As what happens in this age of college football, there's a high likelihood that not all of the players that were just named will be in the Oregon program for the entirety of their college careers, which now span five seasons. A number of former Ducks have left the program in recent seasons, only to have loads of success in larger roles.

That was the case for multiple former Oregon players in Week 3 of the 2026 season, with Kingston Lopa headlining the group for the third straight week.

S Kingston Lopa — California Golden Bears

Sep 12, 2026; Syracuse, New York, USA; California Golden Bears defensive back Kingston Lopa (2) returns an interception for a touchdown during the second half against the Syracuse Orange at the JMA Wireless Dome. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-Imagn Images

Lopa has been one of the most impressive defenders in college football through three weeks. In California's 49-7 victory over Wagner, the 6-foot-5 safety recorded his fifth interception of the season, two more than any other player in the nation. He added a team-high five tackles as the Golden Bears got their second win of the year.

RB Makhi Hughes — Houston Cougars

Sep 18, 2026; Lubbock, Texas, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders defensive back Austin Romaine (15) chases Houston Cougars running back Makhi Hughes (21) in the first half at Galaxy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Michael C. Johnson-Imagn Images

Playing against a tough Texas Tech front, Makhi Hughes was a steady presence for Houston in the team's top-25 matchup in Lubbock on Friday night. He carried the ball 15 times for 71 yards and caught two passes for 28 yards, narrowly missing out on reaching 100 total yards. Unfortunately, the Cougars fell in the end, 28-26.

QB Luke Moga — New Mexico Lobos

Sep 19, 2026; Norman, Oklahoma, USA; New Mexico Lobos quarterback Luke Moga (10) throws during the second quarter against the Oklahoma Sooners at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images

Though he didn't start, Luke Moga rotated for the third straight game for the Lobos, completing 4-of-8 passes for 37 yards. He was sacked twice in the 14-6 loss to No. 24 Oklahoma on the road, but New Mexico put forth a strong effort to stay within one score throughout.

S Collin Gill — Charlotte 49ers

Nov 22, 2025; Athens, Georgia, USA; Georgia Bulldogs wide receiver Noah Thomas (5) runs against Charlotte 49ers defensive back Collin Gill (3) during the first quarter at Sanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images

Though he was last with the Ducks all the way back in 2023 and didn't appear in a game, Collin Gill has grown into one of the best Group of Six defenders since joining Charlotte. On Saturday, a 26-21 loss to Appalachian State, Gill paced the team with seven tackles while also picking off a pass and returning it 36 yards for a touchdown. Three games in, and Gill is the 49ers' leading tackler with 23 takedowns.

DE Blake Purchase — Ole Miss Rebels

Sep 6, 2026; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Louisville Cardinals quarterback Lincoln Kienholz (3) carries the ball as Mississippi Rebels defensive end Blake Purchase (3) defends during the third quarter at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-Imagn Images

Playing in the highly-anticipated Ole Miss versus LSU contest, Blake Purchase made his presence felt. He tied for third on the team with five tackles, two of which were solo and a sack in the 32-24 victory over the Tigers. Purchase now has 11 tackles and 1.5 sacks.

CBs Sione Laulea and Jahlil Florence — Missouri Tigers

Sep 19, 2026; Columbia, Missouri, USA; Missouri Tigers cornerback Sione Laulea (2) runs for a touchdown after intercepting a pass from the Troy Trojans during the first half of the game at Faurot Field at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-Imagn Images

The pair of former Ducks cornerbacks who landed with Missouri each had solid outings in the team's 27-17 win over Troy. Sione Laulea led the way with four tackles and a pass deflections, including half a tackle for loss. He also added the second interception of his career that he returned for 28 yards. Jahlil Florence also saw time in totaling two tackles and a pass deflection as well.

CB Rodrick Pleasant — UCLA Bruins

Sep 19, 2026; Pasadena, California, USA; UCLA Bruins defensive back Rodrick Pleasant (2) and assistant general manager Steven Price react after the game against the Purdue Boilermakers at the Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Rodrick Pleasant recorded the first interception of his career on Saturday to go along with two tackles in UCLA's 52-38 win over Purdue.

DL Terrance Green — Alabama Crimson Tide

Sep 19, 2026; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama defensive lineman Terrance Green (99) and Alabama linebacker Desmond Umeozulu (9) celebrate a sack of Florida State quarterback Ashton Daniels (14) at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Alabama defeated Florida State 50-36. Mandatory Credit: Gary Cosby Jr.-Tuscaloosa News

Though he'd gotten off to a slow start with the Crimson Tide, Terrance Green was excellent in Alabama's Week 3 win over Florida State. By game's end, he'd amassed three tackles and a sack in the 50-36 victory.

DL Tionne Gray — Notre Dame Fighting Irish

Notre Dame defensive lineman Tionne Gray (0) celebrates after getting a sack during a NCAA football game against Michigan State at Notre Dame Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026, in South Bend.

Tionne Gray was among a string of former Oregon defensive linemen that recorded sacks this weekend, as he had two tackles and a quarterback takedown in Notre Dame's 27-10 win over Michigan State.

Head Coach Will Stein — Kentucky Wildcats

Kentucky head coach Will Stein couldn’t find a second half gameplan to stop Alabama as the Tide rolled past the Cats 45-17 Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026 in Lexington, Kentucky.

Led by former Oregon offensive coordinator Will Stein as head coach, Kentucky nearly upset Alabama in Week 2 before the Crimson Tide prevailed in the second half. That wasn't the case in Week 3, as the Wildcats finished their upset bid against Texas A&M, leaving Kyle Field with a 31-21 win over the No. 9 team in the nation.

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This article originally appeared on Ducks Wire: How Oregon Ducks performed in Week 3 of the 2026 season

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