Oregon inside linebacker Bryce Boettcher dances to “Shout” as the No. 1 Oregon Ducks host the Washington Huskies Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024 at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Ore. Ben Lonergan/The Register-Guard / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

What Oregon Ducks' Bryce Boettcher Said About 'Bittersweet' Senior Night

Originally posted on Oregon Ducks on SI
By Gabriel Duarte | Last updated Nov 19, 2025 10:25 AM ET

The Oregon Ducks have one of the best defenses in the country, and the numbers prove it. They are currently the No. 6 scoring defense and the No. 3 defense in yards allowed per game.

At the center of their defensive success is linebacker Bryce Boettcher, the Ducks' leading tackler. Boettcher has his last regular season game at Autzen Stadium on Saturday with USC coming to town.

Senior Night

Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

It's been a long journey for Boettcher, who enters his fourth season with the Ducks and his second year as a full-time starter at linebacker. The dual-sport athlete originally came to Oregon to play baseball for the Ducks, but joined the football team his sophomore year during coach Dan Lanning's first year at Oregon.

Since then, Boettcher has blossomed from a special teams player to a high-level linebacker. On the season he has 77 tackles, one sack, and one interception. The Eugene native said he has mixed emotions about potentially his final game at Autzen.

"i'm excited. It's obviously a bit bittersweet, but it's a cool opportunity especially to end it in this fashion. So yeah, I'm excited," Boettcher said.

Depending on how the remainder of the season goes, Oregon could potentially host a College Football Playoff game next month, giving Boettcher and the rest of the Ducks' seniors another chance to pick up a win at Autzen Stadium.

Keys To Beating The Trojans

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Although USC has been known for their high-flying pass attack under coach Lincoln Riley, Boettcher said that it's their run game that Oregon must stop before all else. USC running back King Miller has been running wild over the Trojans' last three games. He ran for:

129 yards vs. Nebraska
127 yards vs. Northwestern
83 yards vs. Iowa

"We gotta knock out their run game first. I think it starts up front," Boettcher said. "They got a good quarterback and good couple of receivers, so we got to knock out their pass game. I think it starts up front."

Late Season, Big Games

Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

With only two games left in the regular season, the Ducks have a 9-1 record and are in the driver's seat for a CFP bid. However, a loss vs. USC could really change things up.

Boettcher understands that his next few games could be his last in an Oregon unifrom. But instead of being worried, Boettcher instead looks forward to what's coming up for the Ducks.

"It's what you live for. Starts getting cold and then leaves start falling off the trees. Big games like this, especially senior night, the magnitude of it is what you play for," Boettcher said.

The weather forecast for the Ducks' upcoming game this weekend calls for a cold, cloudy fall afternoon with a 12:30 p.m. PT kickoff, giving Boettcher the game environment he's looking for.

This article first appeared on Oregon Ducks on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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