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Did Oregon head coach Dan Lanning purposely call for 12 defenders to take the field on Ohio State’s penultimate offensive snap Saturday — knowing that it would either be missed by the refs (thus aiding the Duck defense) or even if flagged would result in just a 5-yard penalty but cost the Buckeyes precious time on the clock because of an NCAA rulebook loophole?
Maybe? Probably not? If so, why did he use it so judiciously, and perhaps with great risk?
I have so many questions before this he-did-it-on-purpose makes complete sense. So do multiple college football coaches who are calling around this week debating the topic.
In the end, none of this matters, of course. Oregon won 32-31, one of the greatest victories in school history. All hail Dan Lanning and his Ducks for that.
And if everyone wants to declare you a football savant for exploiting the rulebook, just smile and go with it. Print the legend, as the saying goes.
That said, Lanning’s late-game actions don’t suggest he fully knew he was onto something even if the 12-men plan wound up working perfectly. They at least beg for some additional answers.
Meanwhile, college coaches everywhere are up in arms about whether to install their own plan to snuff out potential late-game (or late first-half) drives.
The NCAA quickly huddled this week to consider an emergency rule change to close the loophole, which it ultimately made Wednesday afternoon. It needed to because it could have wrecked so many games this weekend.
Confused? Everyone is.
Here’s a recap of the situation.
Oregon led 32-31 with 10 seconds remaining on Saturday. Ohio State had the ball at the Ducks’ 43-yard line facing a third-and-25. Following a timeout, the Ducks wound up with 12 defenders on the field when the Buckeyes, with three receivers to the right (bunch formation) and just one (Jeremiah Smith)…
Source link : https://ca.sports.yahoo.com/news/did-dan-lanning-knowingly-exploit-the-rulebook-in-oregons-win-over-ohio-state-let-the-debate-begin-165906558.html
Author : Yahoo Sports
Publish date : 2024-10-16 16:59:06
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