Dierre Hill Jr.’s 48-yard touchdown run broke through three tackles and put Oregon ahead 24-14 early in the third quarter, sealing a comeback that left Ohio State stunned in front of a thinning crowd at Ohio Stadium. The Ducks scored 38 unanswered points after falling behind 14-0 late in the first quarter to beat No. 11 Ohio State 41-28 on Saturday, handing the Buckeyes their second straight loss for the first time since 2011.
Oregon’s Dylan Raiola threw for 257 yards and two touchdowns in the second half, helping the Ducks overturn a two-touchdown deficit in Columbus. Hill rushed for 75 yards on 13 carries and two touchdowns, while wide receiver Dakorien Moore had a key 11-yard one-handed catch in the back left corner of the end zone, extending the lead to 31-14 midway through the third quarter.
Ohio State, ranked No. 12 in the College Football Playoff rankings, led 14-0 after Bo Jackson scored on runs of 16 and 8 yards late in the first quarter. But the Ducks responded with a 33-yard field goal from Gage Hurych early in the second quarter, followed by two touchdowns in the final 1:25 before halftime to take a 17-14 lead. Oregon’s rally included a fake punt on fourth-and-9, where linebacker Teitum Tuioti threw a 30-yard pass to Matayo Uiagalelei, setting up Hill’s first touchdown.
Coach Dan Lanning praised his team’s resolve. “A lot of credit to our players for really not flinching, not blinking when you’re down 14, and then just keep fighting,” he 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.”
Oregon’s defense forced a key turnover before halftime when Devin Jackson intercepted Ohio State quarterback Luke Fahey at the Oregon 41-yard line. The Ducks capitalised with a two-yard touchdown run by tight end Jamari Johnson on the last play of the half, making it 17-14 going into the break.
Fahey, starting his second game after replacing the injured Julian Sayin, completed 36 of 50 passes for 360 yards and one touchdown with an interception. Despite his efforts, Ohio State’s defense struggled, allowing more than 30 points in consecutive games for the first time since 1988.
By the fourth quarter, many of the 103,551 mostly scarlet-clad fans had left Ohio Stadium as Oregon’s lead extended to 38-14. The Buckeyes managed two late touchdowns but could not close the gap. Wide receiver Jeremiah Smith caught seven passes for 133 yards and a touchdown but was visibly frustrated on the sideline early in the fourth quarter.
Ohio State coach Ryan Day acknowledged the unexpected collapse. “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,” he said. This loss leaves Ohio State’s College Football Playoff hopes in doubt after starting the season ranked No. 1 in the AP Top 25.
Oregon improved to 6-3 overall and 4-2 in the Big Ten, climbing to No. 23 in the College Football Playoff rankings. This victory served as a form of revenge for the Ducks and coach Dan Lanning, who lost to Ohio State 41-21 in the Rose Bowl last season, a game that ended Oregon’s undefeated run and College Football Playoff title aspirations.
Next week, Oregon is set to host Michigan, while Ohio State will welcome Northwestern to Columbus.
According to Yahoo Sports.
