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

Oregon Ducks, welcome to the Big Ten.

The third-ranked Ducks stopped a late charge against No. 2 Ohio State and earned an epic 32-31 win Saturday night in Eugene.

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

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Dillon Gabriel #8 of the Oregon Ducks celebrates with his teammates after running for a touchdown in 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 gave the Ducks a 29-28 lead. However, the Buckeyes responded with a 40-yard field goal to take a two-score lead. With six minutes left, Oregon got the ball back and marched down the field, and on the 11th play of the drive they went for the chip shot field goal to take a 32-31 lead with 1:47 left.

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 took them out of the game again – and it didn't appear that Ohio State knew the clock was running when the ball was placed after their penalty.

With six seconds left, Howard ran several yards to give his team a field goal shot, but he didn't slip soon enough to call a timeout, ending the game.

Had Howard broken out even a touch earlier (it didn't appear to be a planned run), there might have been enough time to take a timeout. Ducks fans stormed the field almost immediately and it took quite a while for Gabriel and head coach Dan Lanning to leave the field.

Head coach Dan Lanning of the Oregon Ducks reacts to Dillon Gabriel #8 scoring a touchdown in 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 OF LUNG CANCER AT 23; TEAM MATE REACHES THE TOUCHDOWN IN HIS JERSEY

The game was back and forth from the jump, with no one leading by more than one possession. Ohio State scored on its first drive, but Oregon tied the game later – although it resulted in the blocked PAT that kept the Buckeyes ahead 7-6.

Oregon missed a field goal on its next drive and the Buckeyes scored just four plays later to lead by eight. Oregon scored on their next drive, but trailing by two points, they opted for the two-point conversion. They didn't succeed, but thanks to a personal foul they managed to get the ball going in midfield. So they tried the onside kick and got it. They took advantage by kicking 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 seven points each before halftime, giving the Ducks a 22-21 lead heading into the locker room.

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

NO. 4 PENN STATE FIGHTS BACK FROM A TWO-TOUCHDOWN DEFICIT TO GET A WALK-OFF WIN IN OVERTIME AGAINST UNRANKED USC

Oregon fumbled on its first drive of the second half, and the Buckeyes responded with a touchdown from freshman phenom Jeremiah Smith that increased the score to six. On the next drive, the Ducks reached the five-yard line but failed to score and turned the ball over on downs. Luckily, that didn't matter as they forced a punt early in the fourth quarter and got the ball back.

Gabriel finished the game with 341 passing yards, while Jordan James rushed 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.

The battle line 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 – it had previously gone 0-19-1. Oregon remains 6-0 while Ohio State is now 5-1.

Oregon travels to Purdue next Friday while the Buckeyes host Nebraska.

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