EUGENE — The 2026 season is on the verge of utterly unraveling for the Oregon Geese. Another loss, and any shred of postseason hopes could be extinguished.
But even after two upset losses and falling out of the rankings — regardless of beginning the season at No. 2 — the Geese (3-2, 1-1 Large Ten) stay targeted, collectively and dedicated to salvaging the season.
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“One factor I actually love is the way in which the folks within the locker room have been responding to this adversity,” sophomore cornerback Brandon Finney Jr. stated.
After his staff’s 17-15 loss to No. 12 UCLA on Saturday, Oregon coach Dan Lanning stated the staff could be measured by the way it responds shifting ahead.
On Wednesday, he stated the staff has elevated its work ethic and embraced accountability.
“I have been happy with the way in which that they’ve labored,” Lanning stated. “I do not see plenty of hanging heads, proper? I feel that is difficult, too, particularly if you’re younger, to not lose a little bit little bit of gusto and never lose a little bit little bit of perception.”
Oregon linebacker Devon Jackson (#9) drops UCLA working again Wayne Knight (#3) for no acquire because the No. 13 Geese face the No. 21 Bruins in a Large Ten faculty soccer recreation at Autzen Stadium in Eugene on Saturday, Oct. 10, 2026. Sean Meagher/The Oregonian
The Geese, who host Nebraska (5-1, 2-1) at 8 p.m. Saturday, responded properly to adversity following a 39-31 loss at Oklahoma State on Sept. 12. Oregon received its subsequent two video games, together with a 41-27 win at USC on Sept. 26.
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That victory appeared to present the Geese a contemporary begin. However two weeks later, they misplaced to the Bruins and dropped out of the rankings.
Now, Oregon should run the desk to have a reliable shot on the School Soccer Playoff, which appeared like a given for a staff that returned most of its starters from final 12 months’s semifinal squad.
It is not unusual for groups with grand expectations to unravel in powerful instances. Up to now, that hasn’t occurred.
“The staff could be very related and maintains its composure whether or not we’re successful or shedding,” punter Bailey Ettridge stated. “We have not let the losses final week and towards Oklahoma State convey us down. I feel we have dealt with them properly.”
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Large receiver Dakorien Moore stated the staff is full of gamers who got here to Oregon to win and be nice. He added that the staff’s objectives stay attainable, and staff leaders have labored to encourage togetherness and mutual belief.
“If you cannot belief your teammate, then all the things ain’t going to type in the way in which that it is purported to,” he stated.
This additionally means trusting the method, the plan and the staff’s purpose to get higher as an alternative of blaming each other.
Oregon head coach Dan Lanning talks to the protection throughout a timeout because the No. 13 Oregon Geese face the No. 21 UCLA Bruins in a Large Ten faculty soccer recreation at Autzen Stadium in Eugene on Saturday, Oct. 10, 2026. Sean Meagher/The Oregonian
“Everyone is aware of what we need to assault this subsequent week, being that Nebraska is an efficient staff,” he stated.
The surface noise has been deafening. To say that many Oregon followers have melted down on social media could be an understatement.
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Nearly the entire gamers have social media accounts. Moore stated he’s lively on social media however ignores negativity.
Finney stated he is not very lively on social media and would not care what folks say exterior this system.
“Why would I let your opinion inflict me or my ideas on my efficiency or my ideas on our efficiency,” he stated. “As a result of persons are going to be there if you’re doing good, if you’re unhealthy; if you’re doing unhealthy, they’ll depart you.”
For that motive, the staff lives by the motto F.E.B.U., which stands for “Overlook Everybody However Us”.
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“F.E.B.U. is a real assertion that all of us comply with,” Finney stated. “… Simply again to work. We bought to determine what we did flawed, go to the physician, and simply get again to work.”
Fifth-year linebacker Devon Jackson stated earlier than the season that his predominant purpose was team-driven — successful the nationwide title.
He’s now not wanting that far forward.
“On the finish of the 12 months, what occurs, occurs, however I promise if we deal with the day and deal with one recreation at a time, we can be okay,” Jackson stated.
On Saturday, the Geese’ protection performed certainly one of its finest video games of the season, whereas the offense performed its worst with out beginning quarterback Dante Moore, who stays in concussion protocol.
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On groups that lack closeness, such a distinction may cause points. However that isn’t the case with Oregon.
“I imply, we’re all on this collectively,” Jackson stated. “It is not like, the protection received the sport and offense misplaced, or particular groups received or misplaced. All of us misplaced collectively and all of us win collectively. So, we bought one another’s again it doesn’t matter what.”
Oregon offensive gamers have fun a landing run by working again Jordon Davison (#0) because the No. 13 Geese face the No. 21 UCLA Bruins in a Large Ten faculty soccer recreation at Autzen Stadium in Eugene on Saturday, Oct. 10, 2026. Sean Meagher/The OregonianSean Meagher/The Oregonian
Jackson stated that after Saturday’s loss, he and senior middle Iapani Laloulu talked for 20 minutes in regards to the staff. He advised Laloulu that he did not care what was happening with the offense; the protection had its again.
“I would not commerce that group with anyone else within the nation regardless of what different folks might imagine,” Jackson stated. “And we’ll proceed to lean on one another as a result of it is all of us we bought and all of us we’d like.”
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Realistically, Oregon cannot anticipate a lot sympathy from outsiders. The Geese have top-notch amenities, infinite uniform choices, a roster with an estimated payroll of $50 million, and a coach who is not afraid to talk his thoughts, as Lanning did after beating the Trojans.
Many within the soccer world actually would not thoughts seeing Oregon fall.
“Ain’t no one going to really feel sorry for us,” linebacker Matayo Uiagalelei stated. “So simply got here again within the subsequent day with the mindset able to work.”
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Oregon (3-2, 1-1 Large Ten) vs. Nebraska (5-1, 2-1)
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Radio: Oregon Sports activities Community
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Stream: You’ll be able to watch this recreation dwell with Fubo (free trial), or with DIRECTV (free trial). If you’re out of free trials, you can too watch this recreation with Sling (most cost-effective streaming plans that embrace dwell sports activities). Streaming broadcasts for this recreation can be obtainable on these streaming providers regionally in Oregon and Washington, however might not be obtainable exterior of the Pacific Northwest, relying in your location.
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