Eugene, Oregon – In a thrilling showdown over the weekend, the Oregon Ducks secured a pivotal victory against the Ohio State Buckeyes, a game that has sparked conversations about strategy and potential rule changes in college football. Oregon’s head coach, Dan Lanning, made a head-turning decision that caught everyone’s attention during the final moments of the game.
As the Buckeyes were pushed out of field goal range following a crucial offensive pass interference penalty, they faced a daunting 3rd and 25 situation with just 10 seconds left on the clock. Lanning seized the moment and made a bold tactical move by allowing his team to be penalized for an illegal substitution. This curious choice ultimately wasted valuable time for the Buckeyes and helped secure the Ducks’ victory.
The play in question led to an incomplete pass from Ohio State’s quarterback Will Howard, but the Ducks’ penalty allowed them to avoid a potentially game-changing play and keep their points safe. Howard’s inability to call a timeout afterward highlighted the effectiveness of Lanning’s gamble.
In a reflection on these events, Lanning revealed, “We spend an inordinate amount of time on situations. There’s some situations that don’t show up very often in college football, but this is one that obviously was something we had worked on.” His strategic mindset proved successful, leading Oregon to a top ranking.
This exciting win placed the Ducks at No. 2 in the nation, marking their highest ranking since reaching the national championship game in 2015. Meanwhile, the NCAA is taking notice of Lanning’s unconventional strategy. The association’s secretary rules editor, Steve Shaw, mentioned that they are considering alterations to existing rules, especially concerning the impact of a 12-man penalty in college football compared to the NFL.
With ongoing discussions around these tactics and rules, college football fans eagerly await further developments as the season continues.
