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Oregon holds off Ohio State’s last-second comeback in an epic battle of the top three Big Ten programs

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Oregon Ducks, welcome to the Big Ten.

The third-ranked Ducks stopped a late drive from No. 2 Ohio State and came away with an epic 32-31 victory in Eugene on Saturday night.

This game was a movie from the start – in the first half alone we saw a successful onside kick, an ejection and a blocked PAT that was almost brought home. But somehow the ending was even better.

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Dillon Gabriel was excited

Dillon Gabriel #8 of the Oregon Ducks celebrates with teammates after running for a touchdown during the fourth quarter of the game against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Autzen Stadium on October 12, 2024 in Eugene, Oregon. (Alika Jenner/Getty Images)

Early in the fourth quarter, Dillon Gabriel found the end zone from 27 yards out on the ground, and the PAT put the Ducks up, 29-28. However, the Buckeyes answered with a 40-yard field goal to go up two. Oregon got the ball back with six minutes left and marched down the field, however, and on their eleventh play of the drive they opted for the chip shot field goal to take a 32–31 lead with 1:47 left to go.

Will Howard was sacked for nine yards on the Buckeyes’ first play of the ensuing drive, but he quickly completed passes of 13, eight, nine and 26 yards to get into field goal range. However, an offensive pass interference put them back out – it also didn’t appear that Ohio State knew the clock would run when the ball was placed after their penalty.

With six seconds left, Howard ran several yards to give his team a field goal, but he failed to slip early enough to call a timeout, ending the game.

If Howard had broken out a tick earlier (it didn’t appear to be a designed run), there might have been enough time to call a timeout. Ducks fans stormed the field almost immediately and it was quite some time before Gabriel and head coach Dan Lanning left the field.

Then Lanning and Dillon Gabriel

Oregon Ducks head coach Dan Lanning reacts to Dillon Gabriel #8 scoring a touchdown during the fourth quarter of the game against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Autzen Stadium on October 12, 2024 in Eugene, Oregon. (Alika Jenner/Getty Images)

UNC PLAYER TYLEE CRAFT DIES FROM LUNG CANCER AT 23; TEAMMATE SCORES TOUCHDOWN WITH HIS JERSEY

The game went back and forth from the jump, with no one in the lead for more than one possession. Ohio State scored on the first drive, but Oregon matched it later – but this was where the blocked PAT occurred, keeping the lead at 7-6 Buckeyes.

Oregon missed a field goal on their next drive, and the Buckeyes scored just four plays later to lead by eight. Oregon scored on their next drive, but trailing by two, they opted for the two-point conversion. It didn’t work, but thanks to a personal foul penalty, the goal was kicked off in midfield. So they went for the onside kick and got it. They took advantage by making a field goal, but they lost Traeshon Holden on the drive after he spit on an opponent and was ejected from the game. Both teams then scored another seven points each before halftime, giving the Ducks a 22-21 lead in the locker room.

Oregon scores

Tez Johnson #15 of the Oregon Ducks celebrates after catching a pass against Denzel Burke #10 of the Ohio State Buckeyes for a touchdown during the second quarter at Autzen Stadium on October 12, 2024 in Eugene, Oregon. (Ali Gradischer/Getty Images)

NO. 4 PENN STATE FIGHTS BACK FROM TWO-TOUCHDOWN DEFICIT FOR WALK-OFF VICTORY AGAINST UNRANKED USC IN OVERTIME

Oregon punted on their first drive of the second half, and the Buckeyes answered with a touchdown from freshman phenom Jeremiah Smith to go up six. The Ducks got inside the five-yard line on the next drive, but failed to score and turned the ball over on downs. Luckily for them, it didn’t matter as they forced a punt and got the ball back at the start of the fourth quarter.

Gabriel finished with 341 passing yards, while Jordan James ran for 115 yards on 23 carries, one of which was a touchdown. Evan Stewart led all receivers with 149 yards on his seven catches – he and Tez Johnson scored Oregon’s receiving touchdowns.

Howard’s 326 yards through the air weren’t enough: Smith and Emeka Egbuka combined for 19 receptions, 193 yards and two touchdowns.

Buckeyes Ducks Trenches

The scrimmage between the Oregon Ducks and the Ohio State Buckeyes at Autzen Stadium on October 12, 2024 in Eugene, Oregon. (Tom Hauck/Getty Images)

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It was Oregon’s first win against a top-two team in program history – previously going 0-19-1. Oregon remains 6-0, while Ohio State is now 5-1.

Oregon heads to Purdue next Friday, while the Buckeyes host Nebraska.

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