EUGENE, Ore. — Season openers often come with jitters, but this time it wasn’t the players who stumbled out of the gate — it was Oregon’s beloved mascot, The Duck.
Just before the No. 7 Oregon Ducks stormed onto the field at Autzen Stadium for their 2025 season opener against the Montana State Bobcats, fans witnessed an unusual moment.
A Mascot Mishap
As the team prepared to make its grand entrance, The Duck sprinted onto the turf. But in the excitement, the mascot lost its head — literally. The oversized duck head popped off, tumbled onto the field, and left the character scrambling to recover.
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The crowd gasped, then laughed as The Duck turned tail and dashed back into the tunnel, headless but still flapping its arms in trademark fashion.
A support staffer quickly scooped up the head from the turf and hustled after the mascot, restoring order to Oregon’s signature game-day ritual.
Back in Action
Within moments, The Duck returned, fully reassembled and ready to lead the charge. Riding the familiar motorcycle, the mascot revved onto the field and guided the Ducks out of the tunnel to thunderous cheers, as if nothing had happened.
The quick recovery allowed the mishap to become a lighthearted moment rather than a disruption. Fans in the stands — and those watching online — shared laughs and videos, turning the incident into a viral highlight before kickoff.
Not the First Time
Surprisingly, this wasn’t the first time The Duck has misplaced its head. In September 2023, ahead of Oregon’s matchup against Colorado, the mascot suffered a similar wardrobe malfunction. That earlier incident proved fans take such moments in stride, embracing the mascot’s imperfect charm as part of the game-day spectacle.
Ducks Show No Stumbles on the Field
While The Duck’s entrance may have been shaky, the football team itself showed no such issues. Oregon struck quickly against Montana State, putting up two touchdowns and a field goal in the first quarter for a 17-0 lead.
Head coach Dan Lanning’s squad never looked back, rolling to a decisive 59-13 victory that highlighted their offensive firepower and depth. For fans, the brief mascot mishap was overshadowed by a dominant start to the season.
A Lighthearted Start
College football is filled with tradition, pageantry, and pressure, but sometimes the most memorable moments come from the unexpected. The Duck’s headless dash reminded fans that sports are about fun as much as competition.
And for Oregon, both the mascot and the team ended the night the same way: back on track, smiling, and celebrating a convincing season-opening win.
