Just hours before the No. 1 Oregon Ducks took the field against the Ohio State Buckeyes once again, head coach Dan Lanning joined ESPN College GameDay to break down his week, talk about the game, and praise the players that got him to this point.
Specifically, Lanning praised the relentless presence of defensive tackle Jordan Burch, who was sidelined due to injury when the Ducks defeated the Buckeyes in the regular season.
“We talk about strength in numbers," Lanning said. "He knows he’s a great player 'cause he talks about great players around him… Jordan is certainly one of those numbers.”
Despite missing multiple games throughout the season, Burch amassed 30 total tackles, 8.5 sacks, 5 pass deflections, 1 forced fumble, and 1 fumble recovery ahead of the Rose Bowl Game.
"I think the buy-in in our team is unbelievable, we talk about a player-led team," Lanning said when he talked about ensuring that his team continued its success throughout the year, despite odds being against them on numerous occasions.
When Oregon and Ohio State matched up in the regular season, it genuinely came down to the last second as Buckeye quarterback Will Howard slid down just a moment too late and the clock expired, preventing the Buckeyes from kicking the game-winning field goal attempt.
Lanning, who has always been a player-first head coach, couldn't speak highly enough of his players as he and the Ducks flew toward their Rose Bowl matchup.
"They show how they want it by how they show up,” Lanning said. "It's a beautiful thing."
Oregon and Ohio State were scheduled to kick off at 2 p.m. PT on ESPN. The Ducks and the Buckeyes were set to play in the Granddaddy of Them All at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, CA.