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Despite big play Malik Benson earns a butt-chewing for bonehead penalty

ByDale Bliss
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Nov 22, 2025; Eugene, Oregon, USA; Oregon Ducks running back Noah Whittington (6) hugs head coach Dan Lanning before the game against the Southern California Trojans at Autzen Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images
Nov 22, 2025; Eugene, Oregon, USA; Oregon Ducks running back Noah Whittington (6) hugs head coach Dan Lanning before the game against the Southern California Trojans at Autzen Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images | Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images

Dan Lanning is known as a player's coach, but he can deliver the tough love after a lapse in discipline.

Receiver Malik Benson became one of the heroes of the game after sprinting to an 85-yard touchdown to give Oregon a 21-14 lead, but he drew Lanning's ire for an ill-advised taunting penalty that took the Ducks from the USC 4 to the USC 19.

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The penalty looked like it was going to cost the Ducks a touchdown until Desman Stephens erased a missed field goal by drawing a penalty for leaping over the center. With a fresh set of downs the Ducks drove for a TD grouping together a 9-yard keeper by Dante Moore, a tough inside run by Noah Whittington and a goal line plunge on a direct snap to linebacker Bryce Boettcher.

Oddly, the penalty allowed the Ducks to chew up more clock. When USC doinked a field goal off the upright they went into the locker room with a 28-14 lead, due to get the ball first in the third quarter.

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