Thrilling Victory at Autzen Stadium
Oregon’s head coach, Dan Lanning, emerged from the postgame press conference with a big smile, looking like someone who had just celebrated a huge win with thousands of excited fans. He joked, “Anybody got a heart rate monitor?”—reflecting the high-energy atmosphere after Oregon’s 32-31 victory over Ohio State.
- Largest Crowd Ever: The game attracted 60,129 fans, the biggest turnout in Autzen Stadium’s history.
- Exciting Finish: The Ducks (6-0, 3-0 Big Ten) and Buckeyes (5-1, 2-1) exchanged leads seven times, with four changes in the second half alone.
Key Moments of the Game
The final points of the game came from a 19-yard field goal by Atticus Sappington with just 1 minute and 47 seconds left on the clock.
- Emotional Game: Coach Lanning emphasized the emotional nature of the game, stating, “This game is such an emotional game… relief is one of the biggest feelings you feel.”
Players Reflect on the Win
After the match, Oregon players described the post-game celebration on the field as electric. Cornerback Jabbar Muhammad, who previously played in the College Football Playoff, stated, “To be a part of a win like this is really special. It’s something you dream about.”
- Historic Win: This victory marks the highest-ranked team Oregon has ever defeated, matching their win against No. 2 “”Florida-State in 2015″ Rose-Bowl”.
Quarterback Dillon Gabriel Shines
Quarterback Dillon Gabriel had an impressive performance, completing 23 of 34 passes for 341 yards and two touchdowns, along with a 27-yard rushing touchdown.
- Joy of Winning: Gabriel expressed his excitement, saying, “Winning is fun, and there is a lot of joy in winning… We’re gonna enjoy it.”
Intense Final Minutes
During the Buckeyes’ last drive, Gabriel described being on the “edge of his seat.” Ohio State managed to reach Oregon’s 28-yard line but was pushed back due to an offensive pass interference penalty. In the end, Ohio State’s quarterback, Will Howard, scrambled but could not get a play off before time expired.
Coach Lanning’s Perspective
Lanning compared the game to a heavyweight boxing match, saying, “It was a heavyweight fight. We played aggressive tonight… our guys went out there and executed in critical moments.”
Looking Ahead
The Ducks will face Purdue in a road game next Friday at 5 p.m. Muhammad reminded everyone that celebrations would be short-lived: “Obviously, we’re going to try and enjoy it tonight, but tomorrow we’re right back at it.”
- Next Steps: The team will begin preparing for the upcoming game against Purdue immediately.
This thrilling victory sets a promising tone for Oregon’s season, and fans are excited to see what comes next!