Dan Lanning shares what Oregon needs to change in Washington rematch
Oregon and Washington will play their much anticipated rematch in a game for the Pac-12 title and, likely, a spot in the College Football Playoff. In order for the Ducks to win the second and final round, though, what do they need to do differently from what they did in Seattle back in mid-October.
Well, to Dan Lanning, it all comes down to finishing. As he said during his press conference, Oregon didn’t close how they needed to the last time they played Washington. That’s why they have the one blemish on their resume that they do – a blemish that they haven’t yet forgotten about.
“I mean we didn’t finish. We didn’t win the game last time,” said Lanning on Monday. “That’s the kind of thing that sticks with you.”
Lanning could also be referring to not finishing plays in general, specifically on late downs. In the 36-33 loss to the Huskies, the Ducks did very well on third down by going 10-of-16. However, it was their three misses on fourth down – one at the end of the first half, two in the second half – that everyone reacted to after the game and remember heading into this one considering how aggressive they were.
Their third miss on fourth down was what truly cost them. After that, Washington took the lead back two plays later on a pair of passes, with one being a touchdown to WR Rome Odunze, by QB Michael Penix Jr.. Oregon’s 10-play drive that followed was then for naught as kicker Camden Lewis missed a 43-yard field goal in the finals seconds that would have sent it to overtime.
That sole loss, especially in a rivalry game, has burned the Ducks ever since. Now, with a chance at redemption in Las Vegas, Lanning made it clear that his program has already started to attack this week in order to avenge their single loss.
“Our coaches have been working extremely hard, as soon as our game was over with, as far as getting prepped. So (have) our players,” said Lanning. “We’ve had some really good days at practice here so far. We’re excited for another good day (on Tuesday).”
Lanning gives thoughts on Michael Penix Jr.’s drop in production
The Pac-12 Championship will be the second time that Oregon will try and stop Washington QB Michael Penix Jr..
Penix is widely seen as a Heisman contender this season. Since the Huskies’ win over Oregon, though, his numbers have fallen off.
Even so, Dan Lanning thinks he’s still playing at an elite level.
“(They’ve) still won every single game,” Lanning said. “Maybe hasn’t had the stats that he had earlier in the season. But he’s obviously a really talented quarterback, a really good quarterback.”
“It’s late in the season – everybody gets a little bit banged up. I don’t know,” said Lanning. “To me, he’s still playing really elite football.”
In Washington’s first six wins, including the Oregon victory, Penix threw for 2,301 yards and 20 touchdowns to only three interceptions. Since then, Penix has thrown for 1,598 yards and 12 touchdowns to five interceptions.