Ducks Fly High in a Nail-Biting Showdown Against Buckeyes
October 12, 2024, Eugene, Oregon. In a game where the only thing more electric than the atmosphere was the speed of the players on the field, the Oregon Ducks snatched victory from the jaws of defeat with a heart-stopping 32-31 win over the Ohio State Buckeyes. Yes, folks, if you thought roller coasters were thrilling, you clearly weren’t watching this grudge match in Autzen Stadium!
Let’s break down the chaos, shall we? It all led to Atticus Sappington clutching a 19-yard field goal with just 1:47 left on the clock. Talk about a kick that could send even the fiercest couch potato into a standing ovation! This little beauty capped a 74-yard drive that was slicker than a greased pig at a county fair. It was the seventh lead change of the game, which is basically like trying to keep track of who’s winning in a game of musical chairs—only, you know, everybody gets a seat, and it usually ends with someone getting tackled.
It was a dizzying twist of fortunes after Jayden Fielding’s 40-yard field goal put the Buckeyes ahead 31-29, a lead that lasted about as long as a diet on the first day of the new year. Dillon Gabriel, Oregon’s quarterback with a name that sounds like he should be casting spells in Harry Potter, threw for an impressive 341 yards, including a cheeky 27-yard touchdown run that made the defense look like they were trying to catch a greased pig, too!
The battle of the quarterbacks unfolded like a masterpiece; it was like watching two wizards duel over a loaf of bread! Oregon’s Gabriel completed 23 of his 34 passes, and even Evan Stewart decided to audition for the role of “Superstar” with a spectacular 149 yards and a touchdown. Meanwhile, Jordan James was doing his bit, rushing for another 115 yards and a score—essentially putting the ‘fun’ back in ‘dysfunctional football family.’
Ohio State’s Will Howard wasn’t about to let Oregon steal the show, mind you! The QB put on quite the clinic himself, completing 28 of 35 passes for 326 yards and two touchdowns. But let’s be honest: completing a pass is one thing, but doing it while the clock is running down like it’s on its last legs is a whole different ball game! Tragically for Howard, he ended the game by rushing for 12 yards but clocked out just before the game could do any more damage to his fragile psyche.
For a half that felt like a scene out of a gladiatorial combat movie, Oregon took a narrow 22-21 lead into the break, though not without some drama! It’s not every day you hear about a player being ejected for spitting—unless you’ve been following the romantic exploits of your average teenager. The Ducks’ Traeshon Holden was sent packing after a rather unsporting incident with Ohio State’s Davison Igbinosun. Classy move, Traeshon! Just what we need; a game marred by behavior more befitting a primary school playground.
Despite that, Egbuka scored a 15-yard touchdown catch to give the Buckeyes a brief taste of glory, which quickly evaporated thanks to Gabriel’s connection with Tez Johnson for a stunning 48-yard score right before the half. It was enough to keep fans on the edge of their seats or, more accurately, standing in pure disbelief.
Now, if you thought you could escape the madness of college football after this, think again! This game had it all: lead changes, breathtaking plays, and enough cliffhangers to fill a season finale of your favorite soap opera! In the end, the Ducks proved they can soar, while the Buckeyes are left to ponder what might have been—perhaps a lesson that while winning is great, sometimes a swift kick on the way out can make you reconsider your entire life choices.
Oct 12, 2024; Eugene, Oregon, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Emeka Egbuka (2) catches a touchdown pass in front of Oregon Ducks defensive back Kobe Savage (5) during the first half of the NCAA football game at Autzen Stadium
Atticus Sappington’s 19-yard field goal with 1:47 left gave No. 3 Oregon a 32-31 victory over No. 2 Ohio State in Eugene, Oregon, on Saturday night.
The Ducks drove 74 yards to the Ohio State 1-yard line to set up the game-winning goal. It was the seventh lead change of the game after Jayden Fielding’s 40-yard field goal with six minutes left put the Buckeyes ahead 31-29.
Dillon Gabriel’s 27-yard touchdown run gave the Ducks a 29-28 lead early in the fourth quarter.
Gabriel completed 23 of 34 passes for 341 yards and two touchdowns, and Evan Stewart had seven receptions for 149 yards and a touchdown. Jordan James rushed for 115 yards and a touchdown.
Ohio State (5-1, 2-1 Big Ten) reached the Oregon 38-yard line with six seconds left, but on the final play of the game, Buckeyes quarterback Will Howard ran 12 yards as the clock expired. time.
Howard completed 28 of 35 passes for 326 yards and two touchdowns.
Oregon (6-0, 3-0) led 22-21 after a crazy first half in which the lead alternated. Gabriel completed 11 of 16 passes for 212 yards and a pair of touchdowns before halftime.
The Buckeyes led 7-6 after the first quarter because Oregon missed the snap on an extra point attempt after a 3-yard scoring run by James.
Oregon took a 15-14 lead on Sappington’s 27-yard field goal early in the second quarter. During the drive, Ducks receiver Traeshon Holden, shortly after a 32-yard reception, was ejected for spitting on Ohio State cornerback Davison Igbinosun.
The Buckeyes took a 21-15 lead on Emeka Egbuka’s 15-yard touchdown catch, but Gabriel connected with Tez Johnson for a 48-yard touchdown with 1:17 left in the first half for the one-point lead in halftime
Howard opened the scoring with a 1-yard plunge to the end zone just five minutes into the game.
–Field level media
