Indianapolis, IN- A year ago, Oregon’s season ended in heartbreak, falling 34-31 to Washington in their final Pac-12 battle. Fast forward to today, and in their first season in the Big Ten, the Ducks walked off the field at Lucas Oil Stadium as champions.
“I don’t know what to say except for how proud I am of these guys,” Oregon head coach Dan Lanning said after the Ducks’ Big Ten Championship victory. “We’ve talked about moments this year where guys had to put each other on their backs. I thought the offense tonight did an unbelievable job. I thought the defense made a critical stop when it mattered most.” Lanning’s words encapsulated a hard-fought 45-37 win over Penn State that secured Oregon’s place in the College Football Playoff.
Top-ranked Oregon wasted no time asserting dominance in the Big Ten Championship, opening with a masterful drive led by veteran quarterback Dillon Gabriel in his 62nd career start. The Ducks capped it off in electrifying fashion with a highlight-reel 28-yard touchdown catch-and-hurdle by Kenyon Sadiq to take an early lead. Penn State responded on their opening possession, moving efficiently downfield. A stunning 40-yard burst by running back Nicholas Singleton set up kicker Ryan Barker, who calmly nailed a 33-yard field goal to keep the Nittany Lions in striking distance. The game promised fireworks from the very start.
Saturday’s conference championship game delivered fireworks from the opening whistle, with a total of three touchdowns and a field goal lighting up the first quarter. Quarterback Dillon Gabriel highlighted the importance of sophomore tight end Kenyon Sadiq’s performance after Oregon’s Big Ten Championship win.
“But they just maximized the moment,” Gabriel said. “Kenyon making an unreal play when we needed it the most in that second-and-long. And him getting it as well on the left side of the field.” Gabriel connected with Sadiq for Oregon’s first two touchdowns, setting the tone for the Ducks’ high-scoring 45-37 victory.
On the other side, Penn State’s tight end Tyler Warren, a reliable playmaker all season, set the stage for quarterback Drew Allar to hit running back Nicholas Singleton for a score. By the end of the quarter, Oregon held a slim 14-10 lead, setting the tone for a thrilling, fast-paced showdown.
Oregon wasted no time responding in the second quarter, capitalizing on excellent field position to continue their offensive dominance. The Ducks’ high-powered attack put together another efficient touchdown drive, capped by a scoring catch from tight end Terrance Ferguson. Remarkably, all three of Oregon’s opening possessions resulted in touchdowns to their tight ends, pushing the score to 21-10 and cementing their early control of the game.
In a game dominated by offensive fireworks, Oregon’s defense made its mark with a crucial play. Dontae Manning snagged an interception and returned it to the Penn State 1-yard line, setting up the Ducks’ offense perfectly. On the next play, running back Jordan James punched it in to extend Oregon’s lead to 28-10. Penn State quickly responded, as quarterback Drew Allar led an 8-play drive, culminating in a wide-open touchdown catch by Omari Evans to narrow the gap to 28-17.
Penn State’s defense stepped up in the second quarter, forcing Oregon to punt twice, with the second one proving pivotal. The Nittany Lions took full advantage of the great field position, marching 64 yards on a 10-play drive. Quarterback Drew Allar capped it off with a QB run, igniting the crowd and pulling Penn State to within striking distance. With under two minutes left in the half, Oregon led 28-24, setting up an exciting second half.
Just before halftime, Oregon appeared poised to score, but Penn State’s defense stepped up, making crucial plays to stall the drive. A 10-play, 61-yard march by the Ducks ended with a 32-yard field goal by Atticus Sappington, making the score 31-24. The first half set a Big Ten Championship record for combined points, with both teams surpassing 250 yards of offense. Now, the question remained: which defense could make a game-changing stop to shift the momentum in their favor?
Penn State opened the second half with a strong rushing attack and key catches by Tyler Warren, but the drive ended with a missed field goal wide right. Oregon wasted no time capitalizing on the miscue, as quarterback Dillon Gabriel connected with Tez Johnson on a 48-yard touchdown strike. The score, Gabriel’s fourth touchdown of the game, pushed Oregon’s lead to 38-24. With a stat line of 15-for-23 passing, four touchdowns, and a 65% completion rate, Gabriel continued to shine as the game rolled on.
The third quarter saw defenses shine, with only one touchdown scored. Penn State carried that momentum into the fourth, completing a 6-play, 97-yard drive with a rushing touchdown, though a missed two-point conversion left Oregon ahead 38-30. On the ensuing drive, Oregon narrowly avoided a fumble, while Penn State’s defense delivered big hits, keeping the game on edge. But in a battle where too many chances for a high-powered offense spell disaster, Oregon struck back. The Ducks orchestrated a methodical 12-play, 75-yard drive, consuming nearly seven minutes and capped by Jordan James’ second rushing touchdown, extending their lead to 45-30. With their offense firing on all cylinders, Oregon stayed in command.
Penn State refused to back down, with Drew Allar escaping a sack on a do-or-die 4th down to deliver a clutch touchdown pass to Harrison Wallace III, cutting the score to 45-37. The Nittany Lions’ defense then forced a critical stop, giving their offense one last chance. But they say defense wins championships, and Oregon’s proved it when it mattered most. Cornerback Nikko Reed’s game-sealing interception secured the Ducks’ victory, as they ran out the clock to claim the Big Ten title and a first-round bye in the College Football Playoff.
