EUGENE, Ore. (WCMH/AP) — In one of the most highly anticipated contests on the college football schedule this season, Ohio State suffered its first loss of the season after a back-and-forth battle with Oregon, falling 32-31, at Autzen Stadium.
Penalties made a difference in the final drive of the game. With Ohio State trailing by one and needing to get in field goal range, Will Howard connected with Emeka Egbuka for 26-yards to get the Buckeyes to the 28-yard line. But then an offensive pass interference by Jeremiah Smith pushed the Buckeyes to the 43-yard line. An illegal substitution helped the Buckeyes get five yards closer but on the final play of the game, Howard ran for 12 yards before going down with no time left.
The drive marked a disappointing end to what was an otherwise strong offensive performance from Howard, who completed 28 of 35 passes for 326 yards and two touchdowns. Howard and Quinshon Judkins added a pair of scores on the ground in the back-and-forth contest.
But in the end Oregon’s Dillon Gabriel outdueled Howard, throwing two touchdown passes and running for another to power the Ducks to a 6-0 start in their first season in the Big Ten.
In front of a stadium record crowd of 60,129, Gabriel scored on 27-yard keeper early in the fourth quarter to give Oregon a 29-28 lead. But Ohio State (5-1, 2-1) responded with a clock-eating drive that ended with Jayden Fielding’s 40-yard field goal that made it 31-29 with six minutes to go.
A pass-interference call got the Ducks to Ohio State’s 9. But after three tries to get into the end zone, Oregon settled for Atticus Sappington’s 19-yard field goal and a 32-21 lead with 1:47 left.
The top three showdown was the first between the two schools in Eugene since 1967 and marked Ohio State’s second straight loss in the series history with the Ducks.
The Buckeyes fall to 5-1 on the season and now head into their second bye week of the season before resuming action at home against Nebraska on October 26.
Second half photo gallery
First half photo gallery
Pregame photo gallery
Scroll below for updates as the game unfolded.
Field goal Oregon
Atticus Sappington hits a 19-yard field goal to give Oregon a 32-31 lead with 1:47 to go. That’s 107 seconds for Will Howard and the Ohio State offense to work with.
Two minute warning
Oregon is driving and stands just five yards away from regaining the lead. Ohio State holding on to a 31-29 lead.
Field goal Buckeyes
Jayden Fielding hits a 40-yard field goal to give the Buckeyes a 31-29 lead with 6:00 left in the game.
Touchdown Oregon
Dillon Gabriel explodes for a rushing touchdown of 27 yards to give Oregon back the lead, 28-27, with 13:20 to go in the fourth quarter. That’s the quarterback’s first rushing touchdown of the night and his third overall.
End of the third quarter
We’re in for quite a finish in Eugene. Ohio State leading Oregon, 28-22 after three quarters but the Ducks are driving from their own 49-yard line.
Tegra had been shaken up in the first quarter.
Attendance
Announced attendance: 60,129 fans at Auzten Stadium for the first meeting between the Buckeyes and Ducks since 1967.
Turnover on downs
A big stop on fourth down as Dillon Gabriel’s pass to Patrick Herbert is broken up by Cody Simon. Oregon comes up scoreless on the drive and the Buckeyes will get the ball back from their own two-yard line.
Big gain for the Ducks on fourth down
Dillon Gabriel finds Terrance Ferguson who refuses to go down. He gets a gain of 32 yards to the Ohio State 20 yard line as Denzel Burke continues to struggle to stop receivers tonight.
Touchdown Buckeyes
Hello Jeremiah Smith! In a drive that included a 38-yard catch, Smith gets a six-yard score to put Ohio State back in front, 28-22. Smith is now one touchdown away from tying the freshman record of touchdowns in a single season, held by Cris Carter (eight).
HALFTIME
For the first time this season, Ohio State football is trailing at the half. The Buckeyes are down, 22-21, to Oregon after a half that featured explosive plays, a number of penalties, injuries and a player ejected for spitting.
Will Howard is 13-for-16 with 129 yards and a touchdown while Dillon Gabriel has 11 completions from 16 attempts for 212 yards a two scores.
Buckeyes punt
For the second time tonight, the Buckeyes are forced to punt after a three-and-out. Ducks have the ball with 44 seconds left in the half. Remember that Oregon will get the ball to start the second.
Touchdown Oregon
Tez Johnson with the 48-yard touchdown haul on third and long to give Oregon a 22-21 lead with 1:17 to go in the half. The scoring drive took seven plays, 75 yards and 2:36. Dillon Gabriel with his second passing score of the night. He’s so far 10-for-14 for 211 yards.
Touchdown Buckeyes
Emeka Egbuka with the 15-yard haul to the endzone to put Ohio State back in front, 21-15. The scoring drive took 12 plays, 75 yards and 6:16. That’s the first passing touchdown from Will Howard tonight.
Offensive line’s depth getting tested
First Tegra Tshabola gets shaken up, putting Austin Siereveld in at right guard at the end of the opening quarter. Then Josh Simmons had to get carted off the field, which puts Zen Michalski in at left tackle.
Interesting stat
Field goal Oregon
Atticus Sappington gets the 27-yard field goal down the middle to put Oregon in front for the first time tonight. The Ducks lead 15-14 to cap off a wild drive that started with a kickoff recovery and featured the ejection of one of Oregon’s top offensive weapons.
Ducks ejection
Traeshon Holden, after a huge catch for a 32-yard gain to get the Ducks to the nine-yard line, is ejected for spitting on Davison Igibnoson. The unsportsmanlike conduct costs Oregon 15 yards.
Oregon recovers on the kickoff
A wild play on the kickoff as the ball hits Ohio State’s Caleb Downs and the Ducks are able to recover the ball and they have possession once again, driving from the Buckeyes’ 41 yard line.
Touchdown Oregon
Evan Stewart with the 10-yard catch to cap off an impressive drive where he made a 69-yard catch to get Oregon in the redzone. To add insult to injury, Ohio State is given a facemask penalty that’ll cost the Buckeyes 15-yards.
The two-point conversion attempt to tie the game failed so Ohio State continues to lead 14-12 with 12:31 to go.
Touchdown Ohio State
Quinshon Judkins gets inside for the one-yard touchdown to put Ohio State in front 14-6. the scoring drive was four plays, 74 yards and lasted just 1:21. Judkins gets his sixth touchdown of the season.
End of the first quarter
Ohio State leads 7-6 after the first 15 minutes but the Buckeyes are on the doorstep to begin the second quarter after TreVeyon Henderson’s 53-yard gain to the four-yard line.
Oregon FG attempt wide right
Atticus Sappington’s 44-yard attempt to take the lead goes wide and to the right. Buckeyes have the ball back.
Pair of penalties plague Buckeyes
A pair of false starts put the Buckeyes in a tough position, eventually forcing Ohio State to punt. And a delay of game only exacerbates the situation as Oregon will get the ball back at their own 41-yard line.
Touchdown Ducks
Jordan James with a three-yard touchdown but on the extra point attempt, the hold was bobbled, forcing a throw that was nearly disastrous for the Ducks. Oregon capitalizing off of the Ohio State turnover but the Ducks still trail 7-6.
Ducks strip the ball from the Bucks
Some redemption from a no-call earlier in the game for Oregon fans. The Ducks have the ball after Derrick Harmon strips it away from Quinshon Judkins and now Oregon is 28 yards away from tying this game.
Ducks forced to punt
Dillon Gabriel couldn’t convert the third and long attempt and Ohio State gets the ball back at their own 15-yard line, holding a 7-0 lead with 7:32 to go.
Touchdown Buckeyes!
Will Howard goes up the middle to put the first points of the night up. His one yard rushing score completes a 10-play, 75-yard drive that took 5:00.
Quite the drive that featured a fourth down conversion, a large gain by tight end Will Kacmarek and a run to the doorstep by Quinshon Judkins.
It’s 7-0 Buckeyes with 10:00 to go in the opening quarter.
Howard converts the fourth down
Buckeyes are now 8-for-11 on fourth down conversions. Howard on the keeper moves the chains for OSU.
Coin toss
Oregon has won the toss and defers. Ohio State will receive the ball to start the first half.