Oregon Stuns No. 11 Ohio State 41-28 in Columbus
The Ducks erased a 14-0 deficit to drop the Buckeyes to 6-3 and end their season for the first time since 2011.
By Kofi Costa ·
Oregon fans in Columbus, Ohio, watched their team turn a 14-0 hole into a 41-28 victory on Saturday night. The Ducks (6-3) defeated No. 11 Ohio State (6-3) in front of a crowd of 103,551 at Ohio Stadium. The loss drops the Buckeyes to two consecutive defeats, a first for them since 2011.
Ohio State built a 14-0 lead late in the first quarter. Bo Jackson rushed for touchdowns of 16 and 8 yards to put the home team ahead. Many of the scarlet-clad spectators in the stands began leaving by the middle of the fourth quarter after Oregon scored 38 consecutive points.
Oregon coach Dan Lanning credited his players for staying calm while down two scores. "A lot of credit to our players for really not flinching, not blinking when you’re down 14, and then just keep fighting," Lanning said. "I thought our guys got a hold of momentum and then really didn’t let it go or give it back until the very end of the game, where they kind of chipped their way down the field."
The turning point came on a fourth-and-9 play in the second quarter. Linebacker Teitum Tuioti executed a fake punt and threw a 30-yard pass to Matayo Uiagalelei. The move set up Dierre Hill Jr., who rushed 9 yards for a touchdown with 1:25 left in the half to make the score 17-14 at halftime.
Hill finished with 75 yards on 13 carries and two touchdowns. Dylan Raiola passed for 257 yards and two scores in the second half. Oregon extended the lead to 31-14 midway through the third quarter when Dakorien Moore made an 11-yard catch in the back left corner of the end zone.
Ohio State quarterback Luke Fahey completed 36 of 50 passes for 360 yards, a touchdown, and an interception. This was his second start since Julian Sayin was injured in the October 17 win at Indiana. Wide receiver Jeremiah Smith caught seven passes for 133 yards and a touchdown. He was seen screaming at coaches and teammates on the sideline at the start of the fourth quarter.
Coach Ryan Day noted that the team’s start matched their expectations, but they could not regain control once the momentum shifted. "We didn’t expect any of this to happen. I thought the way that we came out was how we thought we would play in this game. And then once the momentum swung, we weren’t able to stop that and then swing it," Day said. This marks the third regular-season loss for Day in his eight seasons leading the program.
Oregon hosts Michigan next Saturday. Ohio State hosts Northwestern next Saturday.
