Dan Lanning explains decision to go for fourth down in final seconds of first half vs. Washington

With time ticking away in the first half against Washington, Oregon decided to go for a crucial fourth down while trailing by four points. The Ducks didn’t convert as Bo Nix’s pass was tipped away, meaning the Huskies took a 22-18 lead into the locker room.

As Dan Lanning left the field, he said his goal was to be aggressive against a tough Washington team.

“We’re an aggressive team,” Lanning told ABC’s Holly Rowe. “We’re gonna go play to win the game. We’ve got an opportunity to get a touchdown. We know that’s a big swing for us.”

Oregon and Washington traded blows in the first half, combining for 491 yards of offense through the first two quarters. The two quarterbacks also looked strong. For the Ducks, Bo Nix had 116 yards and a touchdown on 13 of 20 passing, while Michael Penix Jr. completed 13 of 21 passes for 180 yards and two touchdowns for the Huskies.

However, the play call on that fourth down play didn’t sit well with ESPN’s Booger McFarland.

“The reason I said go for it, you haven’t stopped Washington all day,” McFarland said. “I mean, Michael Penix has almost 200 yards passing, and you have the momentum. Field goals aren’t going to win this football game. Go for the touchdown. As soon as the play was snapped, I hated it. I hate sprint outs because it’s such an either-or play. … As soon as he’s late, the play’s over. There is no secondary play.

“There’s nothing else that Bo Nix can do. When you call this play … that ball’s got to go to the front pylon. Once he doesn’t throw that, now the play’s over. So you waste an opportunity. Love the aggressiveness by Dan Lanning and Oregon. Hate the play call.”

Dan Orlovsky agreed. However, he said he would’ve taken the points on the field goal.

“I totally agree with Booger in regards to the operation by Bo Nix,” Orlovsky said. “I thought the field goal. But once you see that receiver, it’s called a fade front pylon. Once you see the receiver drop his hips, especially fourth and go, Bo Nix has got to cut that ball loose to the front pylon. It’s either caught or it’s incomplete.”

Lanning knew the game wasn’t going to be easy. A rivalry game on the road usually isn’t a cakewalk. That’s why it’s going to take all 60 minutes of fighting to try and get a victory.

“We knew it was going to be a fight,” Lanning said. “They’re a great team. We’ve got to go out there and play four quarters.”