Ohio State Football-Oregon: Ducks pull it out — what it means for the CFP
Oregon, Dan Lanning earn signature win vs. Ohio State, raising big-game pressure on Ryan Day
EUGENE, Ore. — No. 3 Oregon defeated No. 2 Ohio State 32-31 in a thrilling showdown that more than lived up to the hype as one of the most anticipated games in Autzen Stadium history. The contest featured seven lead changes, ultimately decided by Atticus Sappington’s 19-yard field goal with 1:47 left, giving the Ducks a one-point lead.
Ohio State Buckeyes Offer Brutal Injury Update on Offensive Starter: The Buckeyes (5-1, 2-1 Big Ten) had a chance to rally on their final drive, moving into Oregon territory. However, time ran out when quarterback Will Howard slid on a third-down scramble while trying to position Ohio State for a game-winning field goal attempt.
With this victory, Oregon now boasts a 95 percent chance of making the College Football Playoff, according to The Athletic’s projections. Meanwhile, Ohio State still has strong postseason hopes, with their playoff odds dropping slightly to 93 percent.
Dan Lanning Earns Milestone Win While Ryan Day Faces More Scrutiny
For Oregon head coach Dan Lanning, this marks the most significant win of his career, silencing critics who doubted his ability to deliver in big moments. In contrast, Ohio State’s Ryan Day now faces renewed questions about his leadership in high-stakes games.
College football scores, results: Oregon’s wild win over Ohio State tops another chaotic day: Lanning’s aggressive approach was evident from the start. After a missed extra point on Oregon’s opening touchdown, the Ducks attempted a two-point conversion on their next score, but the Buckeyes defense held firm. Later, Lanning’s bold strategy paid off when an onside-style kickoff resulted in a recovered fumble, setting up a crucial scoring opportunity for Oregon.
However, Lanning’s risk-taking backfired briefly when the Ducks failed to convert on a fourth-and-goal pass. Despite the miss, Oregon’s defense stepped up, forcing a punt from Ohio State that led to the Ducks reclaiming the lead.
Ryan Day’s Challenges Continue
Ryan Day’s Buckeyes have experienced multiple high-profile losses recently, including defeats to Michigan and Georgia. This latest setback against Oregon will only intensify the scrutiny of his big-game record. Despite his impressive overall win percentage, Day’s decisions in critical moments remain a topic of debate.
Video: Oregon’s Traeshon Holden Ejected vs. Ohio State for Spitting on Opponent: The Buckeyes’ offense, now led by former Ducks coach Chip Kelly as offensive coordinator, performed well throughout the game. Still, the defense struggled to contain Oregon’s explosive plays, ultimately failing to secure the win.
Big Ten Battle Could Lead to a Rematch
This top-five clash between Ohio State and Oregon might not be the last time these two teams meet this season. With both schools likely headed for the new 12-team College Football Playoff, a rematch in the Big Ten title game seems possible. Penn State remains in the mix as well, but Ohio State and Oregon currently appear a level above the Nittany Lions.
Buckeyes’ Missed Opportunities and Costly Mistakes
Despite the impressive offensive performance, Ohio State made several costly mistakes. The Buckeyes lost two fumbles at critical moments, one of which directly led to Oregon points. Penalties also plagued Ohio State, derailing promising drives, including a false start that pushed them out of field goal range in a key fourth-quarter possession.
Ohio State’s offense totaled 467 yards but couldn’t avoid the crucial errors that often make the difference in top-five matchups.
Defensive Struggles for Ohio State
Ryan Day confirms Ohio State likely lost more than just a game against Oregon on Saturday night: The Buckeyes’ defense, expected to be one of the best in the nation, was repeatedly gashed by Oregon’s big plays. Quarterback Dillon Gabriel torched Ohio State’s secondary, amassing 341 yards passing with several long gains. The Buckeyes, who were so adept at limiting explosive plays last season, gave up six passes of more than 25 yards to the Ducks.
Jim Knowles, Ohio State’s defensive coordinator, faces the challenge of adjusting his approach to pressure quarterbacks like Gabriel without leaving the defense vulnerable to big plays.
Gabriel Shines in Spotlight
Oregon quarterback Dillon Gabriel, a sixth-year senior, delivered a performance for the ages. He accounted for three total touchdowns, including a pivotal 27-yard run, and made his case to re-enter the Heisman Trophy conversation with 341 passing yards against one of the top defenses in college football.
Gabriel’s decision to join Oregon for one last year appears to have paid off, as he finally got his moment in a high-stakes atmosphere.
The Impact of the Win and Looking Ahead
For Oregon, this win solidifies their status as a top contender in the College Football Playoff race and boosts Dan Lanning’s reputation as a coach who can win big games. For Ohio State, the focus will shift to regrouping and fixing their mistakes during the upcoming off week.
The Buckeyes will still be in the thick of the playoff hunt, but with Penn State looming on their schedule, the pressure to deliver in big moments will only intensify for Ryan Day and his staff.
