Ohio State football faced its toughest challenge of the 2024 college football season on Saturday, coming up short against Oregon in a nail-biting 32-31 loss in Eugene, Oregon. Ranked No. 2, the Buckeyes now have a record of 5-1 and 2-1 in the Big Ten, while No. 3 Oregon remains undefeated at 6-0 and 3-0 in the conference.
The game featured intense back-and-forth action with seven lead changes, reflecting its significance in the conference standings and for the College Football Playoffs. Ohio State quarterback Will Howard was left scrambling as time expired, trying to set up a potential game-winning field goal after Oregon’s Atticus Sappington kicked a 19-yard field goal with 1:47 left, putting the Ducks ahead.
The contest did not see any ties due to an early botched snap by Oregon following its first touchdown. Throughout the match, the Ducks only managed to hold a marginal lead of one point, whereas Ohio State was able to lead by as much as seven points at one point and had two leads of six.
This matchup marked the first Big Ten encounter between the two programs, with Oregon joining the conference this season. Despite the loss, Ohio State leads the series 9-2, although they have now succumbed to Oregon in consecutive meetings, including a prior defeat in 2021.
The final stats showcased a competitive game, with Ohio State finishing with 467 total yards compared to Oregon’s 496, while OSU achieved 122 rushing yards against the Ducks’ 73. Both teams had stellar quarterback performances, with Howard completing 28 of 35 passes for 326 yards and two touchdowns, while Oregon’s Dillon Gabriel threw for 341 yards and two touchdowns on 23 of 34 passing attempts.
As the game progressed, both teams continued to exchange leads. Key moments included a 27-yard touchdown run by Gabriel early in the final quarter giving Oregon the lead, and a 40-yard field goal by OSU’s Jayden Fielding that briefly put the Buckeyes ahead.
Overall, the thrilling match highlighted both teams’ capabilities and left an impact on the race for the playoffs as they move forward in the season.