In a Big 10 conference clash, the Ducks defeated the Buckeyes in one of the best games of the 2024 college football season
(Foto: Chris Pietsch/The Register-Guard / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
Another one of college football’s undefeated players fell in the 2024 season. This Saturday (12), #3 Oregon (6-0) hosted #2 Ohio State (5-1) at Autzen Stadium, in a match that pitted two teams that they did not know the defeat that year and that they were playing a game between both universities for the first time in the Big Ten conference. And in this case, the hosts were the best, who won by a score of 32 to 31 and should take their rival’s position in the Associated Press rankings.
The more than 60 thousand present in Eugene saw Dillan Gabriel dominating one of the country’s main defenses. Gabriel threw two touchdown passes and ran for another, helping the Ducks defeat their opponent. The player, a transfer this season from Oklahoma for the program’s first season in the Big Ten, completed 23 of 34 passes for 341 yards. He also rushed for 32 yards on four carries. Other notable names were running back Jordan James, with 23 carries for 115 yards and a TD, and wide receiver Evan Stewart, with seven receptions for 149 yards and a trip to the promised land.
On the Bucks side, quarterback Will Howard had very difficult moments in the game, both at the beginning and at the end of the match. He completed 28 of 35 passes for 326 yards and two TDs, as well as scoring another with his own legs. Among the playmakers, TreVeyon Henderson had ten carries for 87 yards and the WRs who shined were Jeremiah Smith (nine receptions for 100 yards and a TD) and Emeka Egbuka (ten catches for 93 yards and a TD).
Now, Oregon must climb the AP rankings and face Purdue (1-5) on October 18, at Ross-Ade Stadium, to remain undefeated in 2024. Ohio State will try to respond against the good Nebraska team ( 5-1), on October 26th, after a bye week. Both games are for the Big Ten.
Oregon 32 x 31 Ohio State: o jogo
Ohio State opened the scoring on the first drive of the match after a controversial refereeing decision regarding a possible interception by Oregon’s defense. With the decision made and OSU in the mouth of the end zone, Howard decided with his legs from the one-yard line. The answer came in the first quarter, when Derrick Harmon recovered a Quinshon Judkins fumble and in two plays the home team reached the promised land with James on a short run, but with a two-point conversion. There was still time for kicker Atticus Sappington to miss a 44-yard field goal: 7-6.
Early in the second quarter, Judkins scored by running into the end zone from the one-yard line. But the Ducks went on two consecutive scoring drives. First in Gabriel’s TD on the ten-yard pass to Stewart and an error on the two-point conversion. And then, Boyle hit an onside kick to return the ball to the offensive unit, who scored again, now with Sappington hitting the shot from 27 yards.
Before the duel went to break, each program scored once. Will Howars connected a good 15-yard pass in the corner of the promised land. But the response was immediate on the 48-yard big play between Will Howard and Tez Johnson to give Oregon the lead at home.
Upon returning to the locker rooms, the advantage on the scoreboard was changed. Will Howard connected with Jeremiah Smith for the only touchdown in the third quarter, on a six-yard play. In the last period, Dillon Gabriel decided on a 27-yard run to leave the score at 29-28.
The two defenses began to dominate. It was up to the programs to decide via their kickers. Jayden Fielding went down the field and hit a 40-yard shot for the Buckeyes, but Sappington was able to put Oregon ahead 32-31 after a 19-yard shot.
