Five Key Moments that Cost Oregon The National Championship

What cost Oregon the National Championship? Now that all of the confetti has fallen let’s explore what cost the Ducks the National Championship Monday night. You can draw this back to five key moments that had Oregon executed differently they very likely would be headed home with their first National Championship. So what went wrong?

3^rd and 3 from Oregon’s 45 Cost Oregon Early

Jan 12, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Oregon Ducks wide receiver Charles Nelson (6) runs against Ohio State Buckeyes defense during the first quarter in the 2015 CFP National Championship Game at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

After storming down the field on their opening drive, Mariota was picking apart the Ohio State defense on the second drive and looked to be driving to really put Ohio State in a bind. Mariota scanned the field and tossed a pass that hit Charles Nelson right around his belt. The ball fell to the turf.

Instead of going from their 45 Helfrich decided to punt and Dior Mathis made a spectacular play to down the ball inside the 5. The replay showed an unbelievably athletic play that seemed to keep momentum on the Ducks side.

Ohio State’s Houdini Act on Their Second Drive Cost Oregon

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After coming up empty on their first drive, Cardale Jones stepped up with 98 yards ahead of him. His first play was went for two yards. On second down Jones was pressured and hit by Arik Armstead, but he barely escaped and threw the ball away. On Third down he connected on a pass for 26 yards. From there Ohio State felt the momentum swing and their confidence surge. Ohio State drove 97 yards and tied the game after being in 3

rd

and 8 from their own 5.

Oregon was inches from extending their drive and even closer to getting a safety. A safety would have given them a 9 point lead, the ball and kept the momentum squarely on their side. Instead Ohio State gave their defense time to collect them selves and gave their offense confidence. Oregon’s inability to at least stop Ohio State on 3^rd and 8 and at best create a safety would cost Oregon.

3^rd and 12 from Oregon’s 28 Cost Oregon The Lead

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With momentum on Ohio State’s side Oregon quickly scurried to a first down on it’s first two plays. Then following a bubble screen for a short gain, Royce Freeman was dropped for a three-yard loss. Mariota dropped back, maneuvered the pocket and found a wide-open Dwayne Stanford down field. He dropped the pass while back peddling. Instead of driving and another first down Oregon was forced to punt again. Another dropped ball cost Oregon.

1^st and Goal At Ohio State’s 10 in the Second Quarter

Early in the second quarter Cardale Jones just dropped the ball on a failed attempt at a read option. Balducci pounced on it for the Ducks. Down 7 the Ducks again hit their stride. Driving right down field and finding them at the Ohio State 10 with first and Goal. 1^st down was a three yard gain, on second Mariota threw to the back of the end zone and hit Baylis but the defender knocked him out of the end zone before he could get a foot down. Then on 3^rd down Mariota ran a designed sweep to the right. I’m not sure why you wouldn’t give him more options to create but he did gain four yards. On fourth Tyner muscled his way down to the one but fell short of the goal line. The next time Oregon’s offense would muster any punch they would be trailing 14 points.

Kicking on 4^th and 4 Cost Oregon an Opportunity to Go Ahead

Jan 12, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Oregon Ducks place kicker Aidan Schneider kicks a field goal against the Ohio State Buckeyes in the third quarter in the 2015 CFP National Championship Game at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

Oregon kicked to Ohio State to start the second half with a 21-10 deficit. After allowing Ohio State to drive they again turned Ohio State over and on the next play scored on a 70 yard pass play. On the next drive Cardale Jones did his best Winston impersonation and rolled out under pressure dropped the ball, Oregon recovered. From the Ohio State 23 Oregon drove down to the 6 and on 3^rd and 4 Marcus overthrew Baylis. Instead of going here Helfrich kicked to get within one. I believe this was the best chance Oregon had to actually feel it was back in the game. At this point they had only scored 7 points on their first three turnovers. Settling for 3 I believe broke the Oregon spirit.

Don’t let this column make you believe I watched the game thinking it could go either way. Ohio State was dominant. But these were ways Oregon could have changed it’s fortune. A mixture of poor execution, questionable play calling and Ohio State’s great play lead to this defeat. Urban Meyer’s guts on 4^th down and the players executing in those situations are the reason they’re Champions.