Oregon Ducks, Welcome to the Big Ten.
The third-ranked Ducks stopped a late drive from No. 2 Ohio State and came away with an epic 32-31 victory in Eugene on Saturday night.
This game was a movie from the start – in the first half, we saw a successful onside kick, an ejection, and a blocked PAT that almost took home. But somehow, it ended up being better.
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Dillon Gabriel #8 of the Oregon Ducks celebrates with teammates after running for a touchdown during the fourth quarter against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Autzen Stadium on October 12, 2024 in Eugene, Oregon. (Alika Jenner/Getty Images)
Early in the fourth quarter, Dillon Gabriel found the end zone from 27 yards on the ground, and the PAT put the Ducks up, 29-28. The Buckeyes answered, though, with a 40-yard field goal to go up by two. Oregon got the ball back with six minutes left and went down the field, but on the 11th play of the drive, they picked up a chip shot field goal to take a 32-31 lead with 1:47 left.
Will Howard was sacked for nine yards on the Buckeyes’ first play of the next drive, but quickly completed passes of 13, eight, nine, and 26 yards to get within a few field goals. However, offensive pass interference plagued him — nor did it appear that Ohio State knew the clock was running when the ball was put in after the penalty.
With six seconds left, Howard ran several yards to give his team a field goal, but he didn’t slide early enough to call a timeout, ending the game.
If Howard broke out even moving earlier (not seen as a designed run), there would have been enough time to call a timeout. Ducks fans stormed the field almost immediately, and it took some time for Gabriel and head coach Dan Lanning to get off the field.
Head coach Dan Lanning of the Oregon Ducks reacts to Dillon Gabriel #8 scoring a touchdown during the fourth quarter against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Autzen Stadium on October 12, 2024 in Eugene, Oregon. (Alika Jenner/Getty Images)
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The game went back and forth from the jump, with no one leading by more than one. Ohio State scored on the first drive, but Oregon later matched – However, this is where the blocked PAT happened, keeping the Buckeyes lead 7-6.
Oregon missed a field goal on its next drive, and the Buckeyes scored just four plays later to lead by eight. Oregon scored on the next drive, but trailing by two, they opted for a two-point conversion. It didn’t work out, but due to a wrongful penalty, he started in midfield. So, they go for the onside kick and get it. He took advantage by kicking a field goal — but he lost Traeshon Holden on the drive after he spat on an opponent and was ejected from the game. Both teams then scored seven points before the half, giving the Ducks a 22-21 lead in the locker room.
Tez Johnson #15 of the Oregon Ducks celebrates after catching a pass against Denzel Burke #10 of the Ohio State Buckeyes for a touchdown during the second quarter at Autzen Stadium on October 12, 2024 in Eugene, Oregon. (Ali Gradischer/Getty Images)
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Oregon punted on its first drive of the second half, and the Buckeyes answered with a touchdown from freshman phenom Jeremiah Smith to go up six. The Ducks got to the five yard line on the next drive, but they failed to score, turning the ball over on downs. Credit to them, but it didn’t matter, as they forced punts and got the ball early in the fourth quarter.
Gabriel finished with 341 yards passing, while Jordan James ran for 115 yards in 23 carries, one of which was a touchdown. Evan Stewart led all receivers with 149 yards on seven catches – he and Tez Johnson scored Oregon’s receiving touchdowns.
Howard 326 meters through the air were not enough – Smith and Emeka Egbuka combined for 19 receptions, 193 meters and two touchdowns.
The line of scrimmage between the Oregon Ducks and the Ohio State Buckeyes at Autzen Stadium on October 12, 2024 in Eugene, Oregon. (Tom Hauck/Getty Images)
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It was Oregon’s first win against a top-two team in program history – it was previously 0-19-1. Oregon remains 6-0, while Ohio State is now 5-1.
Oregon heads to Purdue next Saturday, while the Buckeyes will host Nebraska.
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