There is strong evidence that the Ducks called timeout with 10 seconds left and DELIBERATELY put 12 defenders on the field
to prevent a big play and bleed a few more seconds off the clock. If so, it was next level genius move - they knew the penalty wouldn’t put OSU into field goal position and give them ONE play to get into field range AND call time for their field goal team to win game. Use your contacts to firm if this was really the Duck plan.
If deliberate, it was genius in that it loaded up defense against the three receivers deployed to the right side. The receivers faced four DBs in coverage, one of whom was the 12th man. The defenders aligned in a way that made it obvious to QB Howard that his receivers were outmanned. So he turned immediately to throw to Jeremiah Smith on the far (Ohio State) sideline, where he was covered by Muhammad, Oregon's star DB who easily knocked the pass down. The play ate four seconds of clock. But if the 12th man was deliberate, it came with a risk. If OSU ran a play that didn't go out of bounds or otherwise stop the clock, the penalty on Oregon would have stopped it.
The other two much-discussed elements of the last 30 seconds were the offensive PI, which Ryan Day thought was wrong. In fact, with line of scrimmage at the 28, Jeremiah Smith ran forward to the 23 and head on into Nikko Reed. Smith shoved Reed so hard the DB spun around toward the goal line and fell back six yards, to the 17. It was the clearest case of offensive PI in the history of forward passes.
Ohio State wrongly assumed that after the PI, with 22 seconds remaining, the clock would start on the snap. So they didn't call a play as the penalty was assessed. In fact, the clock was to start and did start on official's signal. OSU realized this so late that Howard had to hastily yell out a play. THE team was in formation just as the clock started at 22 seconds but the center didn't snap the ball for seven seconds, despite Howard frantically clapping his hands. Either the team didn't know the snap count or the crowd was too loud. (Doggone fans. Use your inside voices.)
Very curious if Lanning admits to an bad error of adding 12th player (after a time out) when there was time to get the defense set at the end of HUGE game OR admit he took a very large risk of a deliberate penalty and the plan back firing as you outlined. I think the OPI call was borderline because I think there was some World Cup flop involved in the reaction of the Oregon DB to the contact by Smith.
As an old Alumni I enjoyed the game watching my Ducks win—and remembering that John Canzano had predicted a one point win. It was hard not to hold my breath in those final crucial moments! Larry Baker ‘67
John - Nice job by Tim and Naji....but what happened to Sophia Moreno (?Sp)? Is she no longer on the roster?
What is the story behind THE OSU guy in Naji's photo with the head gear, painted face, etc. He shows-up in the BIG 10 highlights and I noticed him flash by on the broadcast yesterday. Someone must have highlighted this "super fan".
Once again, great photos!!! Super happy for Dan Lanning. Hopefully this is only the first of many monumental victories for coach Lanning in Eugene.🦆🏈
Thanks for the photos and your great articles.
John
There is strong evidence that the Ducks called timeout with 10 seconds left and DELIBERATELY put 12 defenders on the field
to prevent a big play and bleed a few more seconds off the clock. If so, it was next level genius move - they knew the penalty wouldn’t put OSU into field goal position and give them ONE play to get into field range AND call time for their field goal team to win game. Use your contacts to firm if this was really the Duck plan.
Joel Mills
If deliberate, it was genius in that it loaded up defense against the three receivers deployed to the right side. The receivers faced four DBs in coverage, one of whom was the 12th man. The defenders aligned in a way that made it obvious to QB Howard that his receivers were outmanned. So he turned immediately to throw to Jeremiah Smith on the far (Ohio State) sideline, where he was covered by Muhammad, Oregon's star DB who easily knocked the pass down. The play ate four seconds of clock. But if the 12th man was deliberate, it came with a risk. If OSU ran a play that didn't go out of bounds or otherwise stop the clock, the penalty on Oregon would have stopped it.
The other two much-discussed elements of the last 30 seconds were the offensive PI, which Ryan Day thought was wrong. In fact, with line of scrimmage at the 28, Jeremiah Smith ran forward to the 23 and head on into Nikko Reed. Smith shoved Reed so hard the DB spun around toward the goal line and fell back six yards, to the 17. It was the clearest case of offensive PI in the history of forward passes.
Ohio State wrongly assumed that after the PI, with 22 seconds remaining, the clock would start on the snap. So they didn't call a play as the penalty was assessed. In fact, the clock was to start and did start on official's signal. OSU realized this so late that Howard had to hastily yell out a play. THE team was in formation just as the clock started at 22 seconds but the center didn't snap the ball for seven seconds, despite Howard frantically clapping his hands. Either the team didn't know the snap count or the crowd was too loud. (Doggone fans. Use your inside voices.)
Very curious if Lanning admits to an bad error of adding 12th player (after a time out) when there was time to get the defense set at the end of HUGE game OR admit he took a very large risk of a deliberate penalty and the plan back firing as you outlined. I think the OPI call was borderline because I think there was some World Cup flop involved in the reaction of the Oregon DB to the contact by Smith.
This game has been hyped endlessly since the moment the schedule was released...and it actually exceeded the hype. You don't see that very often! 😁
Isn’t it great when the on-the-field excitement and play surpasses the hype?
Hey John, do you think Dan Lanning intentionally sent out a 12th man onto the field? That seems to be the talk in football land!
I’m never disappointed with the work by your photographers John! Thank you Naji and Tim!
As an old Alumni I enjoyed the game watching my Ducks win—and remembering that John Canzano had predicted a one point win. It was hard not to hold my breath in those final crucial moments! Larry Baker ‘67
Great photos and writing as always, John. The image of Will Howard sliding on the last play will be an icon for Duck fans! Thanks!
John - Nice job by Tim and Naji....but what happened to Sophia Moreno (?Sp)? Is she no longer on the roster?
What is the story behind THE OSU guy in Naji's photo with the head gear, painted face, etc. He shows-up in the BIG 10 highlights and I noticed him flash by on the broadcast yesterday. Someone must have highlighted this "super fan".
Serena is still on Team Canzano! Keep an eye out, her work will be around soon!!
We have a great team and cover events evenly when life doesn’t allow us to be at every game.
Hi Naji...Thanks and agree you have a great TEAM!
Dan, as usual you and your photographers do A+ work. Is there anyway to view these pics in a gallery or other larger format?