Oregon came into Saturday Afternoon hoping to pick off the 12th ranked Ohio State Buckeyes in a game with significant implications in the races for the Big Ten and College Football Playoff. For all the excitement for this game, Oregon couldn't have come out flatter, letting Ohio State do whatever they wanted to take an early 14-0 lead.
Everyone is used to seeing Dan Lanning roll the dice, but when he kicked a field goal on 4th and 2 from the Ohio State 15-yard line, it looked like he might coach this game differently. Instead, Lanning waited until his team needed it the most to lay it all on the line, and it ended up flipping this game.
Dan Lanning's thrilling risks sparked Oregon to the biggest win of the season
With just north of 3 minutes left in the first half, Dylan Raiola was nearly intercepted on 3rd down with the Ducks trailing by 11, and it looked like Ohio State would have a chance to put the game out of reach with their final drive. Instead of giving Ryan Day and his explosive offense that opportunity, Dan Lanning made a massive risk calling a fake punt, and Teitum Tuioti rewarded him, finding Matayo Uiagalelei for a 30-yard pickup.
Who had a Teitum Tuioti jump pass on a fake punt to Matayo Uiagalelei for 30 yards on their bingo card? pic.twitter.com/wsMLHrKBk7
— Nate Bishop (@NateBish) November 7, 2026
That gamble proved to pay off as Oregon would score 5 plays later, cutting the deficit to 4 on a 9-yard run by Dierre Hill Jr.
No. 23 Oregon cuts the deficit 🦆
— Big Ten Football (@B1Gfootball) November 7, 2026
Dierre Hill Jr. runs it in to make it a 14-10 game at Ohio Stadium.
Watch on CBS pic.twitter.com/slhFiGKq1X
The gutsy decision by Dan Lanning started to put some pressure on Ryan Day, and he was given the choice of trying to run out the clock and take a lead into halftime, or trying to score. Day took a risk of his own, trusting Luke Fahey, and he made the critical mistake of throwing an interception to freshman Devin Jackson, who showed incredible body control to get a foot inbounds.
DEVIN JACKSON TOE TAP INT BANGG pic.twitter.com/fcqeQcOCTJ
— FD (@flooduck) November 7, 2026
The pick gave Oregon a chance to try and take the lead or cut the deficit to 1, but it came with another big question. After a defensive holding call, Oregon had the ball on the Ohio State 2-yard line with just 2 seconds remaining, raising the question of whether the Ducks should kick a field goal or hope for the touchdown.
Dan Lanning showed no hesitation, keeping his offense on the field, and the Ducks turned to a wacky formation, and a ton of motion, setting Jamari Johnson to score on a sneak play, giving the Ducks all the momentum at halftime.
JAMARI JOHNSON TD
— Oregon Updates (@oregon__updates) November 7, 2026
DUCKS ON TOP BABY pic.twitter.com/GSTUK99bvg
Oregon badly needed a spark to get back into this game in the first half, trailing by 11, and while he can't make the plays himself, Dan Lanning stepped up, and made the risks the team needed. Given the way stretches of this season have gone, Lanning clearly knows his team needs a spark at times, and his reaction showed how much he knew the moments meant.
Dan Lanning loves it! pic.twitter.com/gAcGuUxD4D
— CBS Sports College Football 🏈 (@CBSSportsCFB) November 7, 2026
With Dan Lanning applying all the pressure in the world, Ryan Day started to feel the need to press early in the 3rd quarter, going for it on 4th and 2 on their own side of midfield. Luke Fahey ended up misfiring on an attempt to Devin McCuin, setting the Ducks up with a great chance to add points. Oregon made sure to make Day pay for his decision, marching down the field, leading to Dakorien Moore's absurd 1 handed touchdown grab.
OH BABY DAKORIEN MOORE ONE-HANDER! pic.twitter.com/48xOhEhnLG
— CBS Sports College Football 🏈 (@CBSSportsCFB) November 7, 2026
The game flipped late in the 1st half, leading into the 2nd half, and there's no question about who coached best in this game. Dan Lanning pressed all the right buttons with a fake punt and a gutsy decision to go for the touchdown with just 2 seconds on the clock in the first half.
Both Ryan Day and Dan Lanning have had their coaching prowess questioned this season with the way the Ducks started the year and how Ohio State has fared recently. Lanning has made the adjustments, firing his offensive coordinator and coaching with more guts and energy. This type of beating at the hands of the Ducks is going to make all the chatter around Ohio State louder, and Oregon fans should enjoy every moment of it.
Add us as a preferred source on Google