It was a nightmare start to the season for Oregon’s mascot after his head fell off in front of a packed stadium just moments before kickoff.
Prior to the Ducks’ Week 1 matchup against Montana State at Autzen Stadium, the university’s beloved mascot suffered a wardrobe malfunction in front of a packed house and a national TV audience.
As the team prepared to storm onto the field, the Duck – leading the charge as usual -suffered the embarrassing mishap after stumbling over.
The oversized mascot head came loose and revealed the person underneath. In an instant, the costumed staffer bolted off the field in a moment of clear embarrassment.
Another member of staff then scooped it up and chased him down the tunnel as fans inside the stadium watched on stunned.
The clip spread rapidly online, with social media users poking fun at the mishap, though many sympathised with the anonymous person inside the suit.
Oregon’s mascot’s head fell off in front of a packed stadium just moments before kickoff
The costumed staffer bolted off the field in a moment of clear embarrassment
It’s far from the grand entrance the mascot had in mind, but it delivered an unforgettable moment on the first Saturday of the college football season.
It wasn’t the first time the Duck lost its head in recent seasons.
A similar incident happened in September 2023, ahead of Oregon’s matchup against the Colorado Buffaloes – another moment that quickly made the rounds online.
Despite the chaos, Oregon – ranked No. 7 going into the season – jumped out to a commanding 17–0 lead over Montana State in the first quarter.
The Oregon Duck first debuted back in the 1940s. He wears a distinctive green-and-yellow outfit – based on the university’s team colors.
Over the years, the mascot has become one of the most recognisable and animated figures in college sports, often going viral for push-up routines, wild celebrations, and sideline antics.
