After their loss to the Ohio State Buckeyes, two star Oregon seniors joined head coach Dan Lanning in the postgame press conference. Quarterback Dillon Gabriel and linebacker Jeffrey Bassa reflected on the game, their season, and more as they fielded questions from reporters.
While most of the questions were directed toward Lanning, both Gabriel and Bassa were visibly disappointed in the result of the game but held their heads high as they gave their answers.
Here is everything that seniors Dillon Gabriel and Jeffrey Bassa said following the Ducks' loss to the Buckeyes in the quarterfinal round of the College Football Playoffs:
Dillon Gabriel on Ohio State being able to stop them on offense:
"You know, you plan to create explosives, be really good on situational football, and move the chains that way. We just didn't do that on third down and they had a great plan like coach said. But yeah, if you don't go get the third, you can't move forward."
Jeffrey Bassa on what he was seeing from the Ohio State offense:
"Yeah, overall I think they did a good job of taking shots early on. Like coach said, they caught us in some coverages where receivers were able to get open downfield as well as their offensive line.
"I think that their offensive line, with the injuries that they had in the room, with the moving parts and pieces, I think they did a good job up front as well. Of course, the quarterback, I think he did a good job getting the ball to receivers, you know, commanding his offense. They were just firing on all cylinders and credit to them."
At the end of four quarters, the Ducks were flying home with a 13-1 overall record following the 41-21 loss at the Rose Bowl. The Buckeyes would face the Texas Longhorns in the semifinal round of the College Football Playoffs on Jan. 10 at 4:30 p.m. PT.