The Oregon Ducks narrowly secured a victory over the Ohio State Buckeyes on Saturday, but the ending wasn’t without some controversy. In the final seconds, Oregon was flagged for having too many players on the field. At first glance, the penalty seemed costly, as it placed Ohio State within potential field goal range with just six seconds remaining, trailing by only one point. However, things turned in Oregon’s favor when Will Howard surprisingly slid as the clock expired, leading to a field rush by Oregon fans.
On Monday, when questioned about the penalty, it appeared to have been deliberate.
Lanning couldn’t hide a grin as he responded to the inquiry.
“We spend a lot of time on specific scenarios… Some of these situations rarely come up in college football, but this was clearly something we had practiced. You can see the outcome.”
Oregon Ducks head coach Dan Lanning and Michigan State Spartans head coach Jonathan Smith shake hands after the Ducks’ 31-10 win Friday, Oct. 4, 2024 at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Ore.
Ohio State fans were understandably frustrated by Lanning’s tactics, which aimed to reduce the time available for the Buckeyes to kick a field goal. Nevertheless, Lanning’s strategy was clever, as it led to an incomplete pass and reduced the game clock to just six seconds. Those crucial four seconds ultimately secured the win for Oregon, as Howard slid down with no time left.
How Significant Was This Win for Oregon?
This victory was crucial for Oregon, propelling them to the number two spot in the AP Poll and positioning them well in both the Big Ten and the College Football Playoff. They are now the highest-ranked Big Ten team, surpassing Penn State, and have some leeway to absorb a loss or two as they aim for a spot in the new 12-team College Football Playoff.
Oregon Ducks defensive end Jordan Burch celebrates a sack as the Ducks host the Spartans Friday, Oct. 4, 2024 at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Ore.
Lanning’s actions in this game highlighted its significance. Oregon aimed to demonstrate their place in the Big Ten, and defeating a top team like Ohio State was an excellent way to start. Lanning has also positioned himself as one of the premier head coaches in the nation, indicating he’s building something exceptional in Eugene.
The remainder of the season looks promising for the Ducks. Their only remaining ranked opponents are Illinois and Michigan, both of which are outside the top 20. Oregon is in a strong position to pursue a championship, and they seem to have embraced a “by any means necessary” mentality, willing to push the limits if it helps them gain a competitive advantage and secure a victory.
Oct 12, 2024; Eugene, Oregon, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback Will Howard (18) walks off the field after losing 32-31 to Oregon Ducks during the NCAA football game at Autzen Stadium.
While Lanning’s decision was clever, it raises a point for future consideration regarding rule changes. An intentional penalty shouldn’t disadvantage the losing team by potentially allowing them a chance to regroup. A penalty for having too many players on the field should be treated as a dead-ball foul, ensuring no time is deducted from the clock. Allowing the defense to have more players on the field already provides an unfair advantage, so there’s little justification for penalizing the offense with time loss when they could attempt a low-percentage play. The remaining time on the clock holds more significance than the five-yard penalty. However, this is the current landscape of the game, and Dan Lanning’s ability to think outside the box was masterful in this context.