Oregon’s debut season in the Big Ten could not have gone any better.
After finishing the regular season a perfect 12-0, the top-ranked Ducks knocked off No. 3 Penn State at Lucas Oil Stadium on Saturday, 45-37, to cap off the year and enter the College Football Playoffs with a first round bye.
“I’m really proud of our players,” said Oregon coach Dan Lanning. “They accomplished this. I didn’t have anything to do with it. Ijust get to keep the train on the tracks.”
Wide receiver Tez Johnson powered Oregon to victory, hauling in 11 catches for 181 yards with a 48-yard pass from Dillon Gabriel in the third quarter. His performance earned him game MVP honors.
Gabriel finished 22-of-32 for 283 yards with four touchdowns. He tossed a pair to Kenyon Sadiq and another to Terrance Ferguson.
Despite losing, Penn State outgained Oregon on offense, putting up 518 total yards to the Ducks’ 466. The Nittany Lions were ultimately done in by penalties and turnovers.
“And the Big Ten’s tough,” said Lanning. “I think tonight’s game is a great example of that. This is a tough league. It’s hard to go out there and win. And to be able to do what our guys did tonight, I’m really proud of their effort, to give just a little bit extra. I thought everybody gave a little extra tonight, and that showed up.”
James Franklin, center, speaks to the media following Penn State’s 45-37 loss to Oregon in the Big Ten Championship. (Damien Dennis/TPM)
Quarterback Drew Allar, who finished 20-of-39 for 226 yards with three touchdowns, was picked off twice — including in the final two minutes deep in Oregon territory.
Penn State had five penalties for a total of 65 yards compared to Oregon’s three penalties for 24 yards.
“Early on the four penalties were significant. Four penalties for 15 yards,” said Penn State coach James Frankin. “We had another penalty for 15 yards. And you can’t do that against the No. 1 team in the country and expect to win giving those type of yards away. Penalties are one thing; 15 yards is another. I can deal with the face mask penalties. They’re going to happen sometimes when you’re just playing. That’s going to happen from time to time. The other things we’ve got to get eliminated. And then the turnovers, two turnovers to zero.”
While Oregon left Indianapolis undefeated and will remain the top-seed in the playoff, both teams are likely to reach the new 12-team tournament. Those final rankings release Sunday afternoon.
This story will be updated.
