By Rob Moseley

Editor, GoDucks.com

On the day it was reported the Big Ten will allow members to consider Brigham Young a de facto “Power 5” opponent, the Oregon football team announced a scheduled nonconference game with the Cougars.

BYU will visit Autzen Stadium on Sept. 10, 2022, under the terms of a one-game contract with the Ducks, UO officials said Tuesday. That week-two matchup is the first scheduled game for Oregon on the 2022 slate.

Beginning in 2016, the Big Ten will require that its members schedule one nonconference game per season with an opponent from a “Power 5” conference. On Tuesday, ESPN reported that Big Ten teams will be able to satisfy that condition by playing BYU, along with Notre Dame, Cincinnati, Connecticut, Navy and Army.

The Pac-12 does not have such a requirement, but the Ducks have typically scheduled a “Power 5” nonconference game in recent seasons, including Michigan State the last two years. Oregon's future nonconference schedules include Power 5 foes Ohio State, Auburn, Nebraska and Virginia.

BYU opened this season with a win at Nebraska, then beat Boise State before losing 24-23 at No. 10 UCLA on Saturday.

“This matchup fits our scheduling philosophy within the current landscape, which means facing top competition along with our Pac-12 opponents,” UO athletic director Rob Mullens said.

Oregon and BYU have matched up six times over the years, with each winning three. They most recently met in the 2006 Las Vegas Bowl, a 38-6 victory for the Cougars.

UO officials will look to schedule three nonconference home games for 2022, with BYU as a centerpiece opponent.

“Their fans have a great reputation for supporting the team home or away, so we anticipate a fantastic gameday atmosphere,” Mullens said.