And just like that, it’s over. The No. 1 Oregon Ducks‘ historic season ended in devastating fashion with a 42-21 loss to No. 6 Ohio State. The Buckeyes delivered a statement performance in the 111th Rose Bowl, routing what once was the nation’s only unbeaten team to advance to the College Football Playoff semifinals. In shock, Mr. FishDuck retreated to his study of future Oregon Ducks Odds, and research on NCAAF, as this final game of the 2024 season was difficult for him to accept.
The Ducks’ undefeated campaign, which at times appeared destined to conclude with hoisting college football’s most coveted prize, ended with a familiar thud for longtime Oregon fans — the sound of a faceplant on the largest stage in the biggest game of the year. But this time around, it was different. Oregon’s epic and head-scratching collapse at the hands of a team they had previously beaten was not on many folks’ bingo cards. And yet, the gridiron gods cast the Ducks asunder, sending them packing (before halftime) in their first and last postseason game.
In postgame remarks, Oregon head coach Dan Lanning said that Ohio State, loaded with talented players, was simply the better team. Why? The Buckeyes had the same team and arguably a stronger roster when they lost 32-21 to Oregon in October at Autzen Stadium. There was no question that Ohio State coach Ryan Day, offensive guru Chip Kelly and defensive mastermind Jim Knowles would drain the reservoir in preparation for this matchup. The Buckeyes brass and an army of graduate assistants likely spent countless hours in the Columbus war room developing a new game plan to avoid another loss to the Ducks (and save their jobs).
Ohio State offensive coordinator Chip Kelly gets the last laugh after orchestrating the Buckeyes’ 42-21 win over the Oregon Ducks in the Rose Bowl. Photo by Steven Chan
Surely Lanning and the Oregon coaching staff were aware of the stakes, not just for the Ducks, but for their opponent, a heavily bankrolled college football juggernaut with its back against the wall and desperate to atone for a humiliating loss to its hated rival to wrap the regular season. Right?
Some blame the embarrassing loss on “rest rust,” nearly a monthlong break since the Big Ten Championship game. Others blame the playoff seeding, arguing that the Ducks never should have played a top-ranked team like Ohio State so early in the postseason. Lanning wasn’t having any of it — and neither should fans — taking the blame for the worst performance of the season and placing it squarely on his shoulders.
While noble and respectable, the question remains: Why were the Ducks not ready for this game? There’s no explanation, or at least, not a good one. The Oregon coaching staff had a month to prepare and energize this team with a new game plan to take down a very good Ohio State team a second time and prove their status as top dog. Oregon should’ve been frothing at the mouth to bury the Buckeyes. But to everyone’s surprise, the Ducks looked wholly unprepared and outmatched for the first time all year. Why?
Anger, sadness, confusion — fans are left with all the feels as their hopes for a national title were dashed — again — in a truly inexplicable loss. (Now imagine those feelings multiplied exponentially for every player, coach and staff member in the Oregon locker room. Thanks for one hell of a season, boys.) For some in the Oregon community, this devastating defeat will take months, if not years, to heal. For online trolls and Buckeye bros, it is perfect fodder for endless potshots, low blows, smarmy digs and backhanded snipes to a reeling Oregon fanbase. Buckle up, folks. It’s going to be a long offseason.
Before we take a closer look at the dumpster fire and assess the damage, let’s get one thing straight: This Oregon team was extraordinary and, for a large chunk of the regular season, the best in the country. It’s been a long time, if ever, since the program experienced similar levels of sustained success.
More importantly, Lanning is the most talented, hardest-working, and intelligent active college football coach, bar none. The Ducks are darn lucky to have him. There is no question that his dedication to the sport, loyalty to the university and positive impact on his players will eventually bring a national championship to Eugene. As with any young coach, there are going to be growing pains. The ride to the top is never easy (ask Kirby or Nick), and it’s filled with exhilarating highs and, as many felt on New Year’s Day, bowel-irritating lows. Ride it out. Dan’s the man.
Key Stats at a Glance
| Category | Ohio State | Oregon |
|---|---|---|
| Total Yards | 500 | 276 |
| Passing Yards | 319 | 299 |
| Rushing Yards | 181 | -23 |
| Sacks | 8 | 0 |
| Turnovers | 0 | 0 |
Buckeyes’ Revenge
Ohio State’s offense wasted no time making its presence felt, and Oregon looked hopelessly lost for the first time all season. The Ducks had no answers for the first 30 minutes (and most of the game). None.
Buckeyes quarterback Will Howard engineered a near-flawless first half, completing 65% of his passes for 319 yards and three touchdowns. Howard found freshman sensation Jeremiah Smith for scoring strikes of 45 and 42 yards, and Emeka Egbuka added a 42-yard touchdown reception. Howard’s ability to dissect Oregon’s defense early led the Buckeyes to a 34-0 lead before halftime.
Smith finished with seven receptions for 187 yards and two touchdowns. His dominant first half — 161 yards on five catches — set the tone early for the Buckeyes. OSU running back TreVeyon Henderson also shined, breaking off a 66-yard touchdown run in the second quarter en route to an efficient 94 yards and two touchdowns on eight carries.
After the Rose Bowl win, Ohio State fans may allow Buckeyes’ coach Ryan Day to keep his job despite the team’s embarrassing loss to Michigan. Photo by Steven Chan
Henderson’s backfield partner, Quinshon Judkins, added 85 yards on 17 carries, providing Ohio State a balanced ground attack that kept Oregon’s defense on its heels. The Buckeyes amassed 500 total yards, including 181 rushing yards, with Henderson’s 11.8 yards per carry leading the charge.
The Buckeyes’ defense arguably played its best game of the season, sacking Oregon quarterback Dillon Gabriel eight times and limiting the Ducks to -23 rushing yards (Yes, you read that correctly), largely due to their relentless pressure. Remember, Ohio State didn’t lay a finger on Gabriel in their first matchup in October. Ah, the good old days…
Linebacker Cody Simon earned Rose Bowl Defensive MVP honors with 11 tackles, three tackles for loss, and two sacks. Defensive ends Jack Sawyer and JT Tuimoloau combined for four sacks and five tackles for loss, overwhelming the same Oregon offensive line that had manhandled them two months earlier.
Oregon’s Meltdown
Gabriel, despite the constant pressure, passed for 299 yards and two touchdowns, tying Case Keenum’s FBS record for career passing touchdowns (155). However, Oregon’s inability to establish the run or generate big plays — hallmarks of their season — proved fatal. Oregon’s lead rusher Jordan James, who had seven carries for 14 yards, went out with a head injury in the first half, and Noah Whittington managed only three yards on six carries, while Gabriel’s scrambles resulted in -43 rushing yards.
Missing star receiver Evan Stewart, who torched Ohio State for 149 yards in October, Oregon’s offense lacked the explosiveness to keep up with the Buckeyes. Traeshon Holden led the Ducks with seven catches for 116 yards and two touchdowns, while tight end Terrance Ferguson added 71 yards on five receptions.
Oregon’s defense, led by linebacker Bryce Boettcher with seven tackles, struggled to contain Ohio State’s high-powered attack. The Ducks managed just three tackles for loss and failed to sack Howard, giving him ample time to connect on deep throws that broke the game wide open on the very first play of the game.
Oregon’s leading rusher, Jordan James, left the Rose Bowl game early with a head injury, making the Ducks’ run game far less potent. Photo by Steven Chan
Oregon’s inability to generate offensive rhythm doomed them early. Their first three drives ended in punts, and by the time Gabriel found Holden for a 5-yard touchdown pass at the end of the first half, the Ducks were already down 34-7, chasing an impossible deficit. Defensively, the Ducks were overwhelmed by Ohio State’s speed and physicality. Henderson’s long touchdown run epitomized Oregon’s struggles, as the Buckeyes repeatedly found openings in the Ducks’ front seven.
For Ohio State, the victory marks a return to the national spotlight and puts to bed many questions swirling around Day and the state of the program. The Buckeyes will play No. 4 Texas in the Cotton Bowl on Jan. 10, with a spot in the national championship on the line.
For Ducks fans roaming the college football wilderness lost and without direction, try to remember the 13 games that proved without question that Oregon could suit up and beat the pants off traditional powerhouses — Ohio State, Penn State, Michigan, and Wisconsin. As undefeated conference champions in their inaugural season, the Ducks owned the Big Ten, and that’s something the Buckeyes, or anyone, can never take away.
What’s next? We shall see. The next several months will demonstrate how Lanning and Co. respond to adversity. If the trajectory of the past three years is any indication, bet on Oregon.
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Jordan is a lifelong Duck fan currently living in San Diego. Jordan graduated from The Evergreen State College in Olympia, Washington, after serving a prestigious fellowship with the Washington State House of Representatives. Upon graduation, he worked as an English language teaching assistant for the Spanish Ministry of Education’s Ambassadorial Program in Monforte de Lemos, Spain. Jordan has worked as a journalist, writer, and editor in Oregon, Washington, Montana, and California, covering a wide range of topics, including sports, local politics, and crime. He is VERY excited to be writing about his beloved Oregon Ducks.