Four Downs: Oregon defeats Ohio State as Dan Lanning finally gets his big-game win

Reviewing the biggest moments of Week 7 in college football, starting with the biggest game of the day in the Big Ten.

First Down: Oregon ― to three, or not to three?

Somewhere in the mass of humanity on the field at Autzen Stadium late Saturday night was Oregon coach Dan Lanning, literally exhaling after a brief television interview.

You could see him say the word, “whew.”

He got lucky. Really lucky.

This time, he wasn’t on the short end of a mistake in a big game. This time, Ohio State quarterback Will Howard lost track of time on the final play of the game, and scrambled into the middle of the field to try and set up a shorter field goal as the clock ran out on Oregon’s 32-31 victory.

The irony of it all is not lost in the moment.

Two years ago, Lanning fell short trying to convert a fourth down in a tie game late in the fourth quarter against Washington instead of kicking a field goal, and the Huskies got prime field position and eventually kicked the game-winner. Last year, three failed fourth down calls – instead of kicking short field goals – cost the Ducks a victory over the Huskies.

Both games were three-point losses.

Fast forward to Saturday night, Oregon trailed 28-22 late in the third quarter, and instead of taking a short field goal and three points, Lanning tried to convert from the Ohio State 2. The result was the same as last season: an odd play call, where the quarterback (Dillon Gabriel in 2024, Bo Nix in 2022-23) was left with limited options.

Had Oregon taken the points, it would’ve had a four-point lead on the final drive, and Ohio State would’ve needed a touchdown to win the game. The lead was one instead, and but for Howard losing track of time, it could’ve backfired again.

HIGHS AND LOWS: Winners and losers from Week 7 in college football

To be fair to Lanning, Oregon had a missed field goal and…

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Author : USA TODAY Sports

Publish date : 2024-10-13 04:52:55

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