The Oregon Ducks made history on Saturday, defeating Penn State 24-20 to secure the top seed in the College Football Playoff. The Ducks’ victory marked a triumphant debut season in the Big Ten Conference, which they joined just this year.
The game was played in front of a packed crowd at Beaver Stadium in University Park, Pennsylvania, with the Ducks facing off against a formidable Penn State team. The Nittany Lions were looking to spoil Oregon’s perfect season, but the Ducks had other plans.
Oregon quarterback Bo Nix led the charge for the Ducks, throwing for 222 yards and a touchdown. Running back Bucky Irving added 124 yards on the ground, including a crucial 32-yard run in the fourth quarter that sealed the win for Oregon.
The Ducks’ defense was also impressive, holding Penn State quarterback Drew Allar to just 187 passing yards and intercepting him twice. Oregon’s secondary was particularly effective, with cornerback Trikweze Bridges picking off Allar in the third quarter to set up a Ducks touchdown.
Penn State fought hard to stay in the game, but ultimately came up short. The Nittany Lions’ running back, Kaytron Allen, rushed for 104 yards and a touchdown, but it wasn’t enough to overcome the Ducks’ strong defense.
The win marked a historic moment for the Oregon program, which joined the Big Ten Conference just this season. The Ducks’ debut season in the conference was nothing short of remarkable, with the team going 13-0 and securing the top seed in the College Football Playoff.
Oregon’s victory sets up a intriguing matchup in the College Football Playoff semifinals, where they will face off against the fourth-seeded team. The Ducks’ opponent will be determined by the outcome of the conference championship games, but one thing is certain: Oregon is ready for whatever comes next.
“We’re excited to be in this position,” Oregon head coach Dan Lanning said after the game. “Our guys have worked hard all season, and it’s paid off. We’re looking forward to the challenge ahead.”
The Ducks’ win also marked a milestone for Lanning, who became the first Oregon head coach to win 13 games in a season. Lanning’s leadership has been instrumental in the Ducks’ success this season, and his team’s victory over Penn State was a testament to his coaching prowess.
As for Penn State, the loss marked a disappointing end to a promising season. The Nittany Lions had high hopes coming into the game, but ultimately came up short.
“We’re proud of our guys for fighting hard,” Penn State head coach James Franklin said after the game. “We just didn’t make enough plays when it mattered most.”
Despite the loss, Penn State’s season was still a success. The Nittany Lions finished with a 10-3 record and will likely receive a bowl bid. Franklin’s team will look to regroup and come back stronger next season.
For Oregon, the focus is on the College Football Playoff. The Ducks will have to wait until the conference championship games are played to find out their opponent, but one thing is certain: they’re ready for whatever comes next.
“We’re excited to be in this position,” Lanning said. “We’re looking forward to the challenge ahead.”
The College Football Playoff semifinals will be played on December 31, with the championship game set for January 8. Oregon’s victory over Penn State sets up a thrilling matchup, and fans will be eagerly anticipating the Ducks’ next game.
In the meantime, Oregon will celebrate their historic victory over Penn State. The Ducks’ win marked a triumphant debut season in the Big Ten Conference, and they’ll look to carry that momentum into the College Football Playoff.
