MADISON, Wisc. — Dan Lanning has found unique ways to motivate the No. 1 Oregon Ducks this season, but using an opponent’s tradition to fuel energy? That’s a new one.

The Ducks played House of Pain’s “Jump Around” at practice all week, players said. Both to prepare for the environment at Camp Randall Stadium, and it turns out they’re waving the Badgers’ own weapon against them when it comes time to play.

Oregon players unexpectedly danced to the song, along with players from Wisconsin and a raucous, sold-out crowd in Madison.

“It was just a mentality,” linebacker Bryce Boettcher said. “Going into the fourth quarter, they have that Jump Around song. The coach showed that this week and we played that every training. The mentality, then it changed. Football is all about mentality, and our defense showed up in the fourth quarter.”

Expect to see these clips in Oregon’s weekly, internal video series ‘Ducks vs. Them’. Lanning and company couldn’t have written the script better in terms of the timing of the song and the motivation it brought. While they probably wished the situation wasn’t so tenuous with their team on the back, it just worked.

Oregon trailed 13-6 as the third quarter turned to the fourth. Jump Around was playing, the stands were shaking and Duck players were happily joining in. They could have stood still and wallowed in their frustration, especially the offense that had a rough night. Oregon has seen other teams do that when “Shout” plays at Autzen Stadium. But they chose to let go and were able to focus on the task at hand.

The energy kicked up a notch, the Ducks tied it with a Jordan James touchdown, and the defense was able to get the job done in a 16-13 road win.

“We just had to keep our energy up and our minds clear,” James said. “We were in trouble… but we just had to keep our heads up. We all believe in each other, so we always support.”

For Lanning, a master motivator, it all went according to plan. Even if the Ducks had to sweat one out for a much-needed bye week.

“We had a mentality coming into the game about what that number was going to mean for us,” Lanning said. “What our response to that would be. A bit like Pavlov’s dog: when you hear that sound, it means it’s time to go. That is what we were looking for from our team.”

— Ryan Clarke covers the Oregon ducks and Big Ten Conference. Listen to the Ducks confidential podcast or subscribe to the Ducks Roundup Newsletter.