Oregon never lost control of the game in tiny Martin Stadium. They won by three touchdowns on the road in a conference road game, 34-14.
Yet the game and the fan reaction were oddly muted. It wasn't the awe-inspiring wire-to-wire beatdown Duck fans grew to expect after shellacking Montana State and Oklahoma State.
It was workmanlike rather than dominating. The Ducks punted the first time they had the ball. Northwestern had a good plan and slowed the game down, limiting Oregon to eight meaningful possessions.
Changeable weather and the threat of a delay, the early start time, and frequent TV timeouts suppressed the energy of the contest.