Dillon Gabriel reveals postgame message from Dan Lanning after Oregon beat Ohio State

Oregon pulled off a monumental victory over Ohio State on Saturday, one that has the Ducks poised to potentially earn a College Football Playoff berth if it can keep taking care of business.

For the Ducks, it was a continuation of everything coach Dan Lanning has been preaching since Day 1. That was the message that resonated in the locker room after the big win.

“Just rooted in the process and everything we’ve done to get up to this point,” quarterback Dillon Gabriel explained on The Triple Option podcast. “Obviously we’ve done some things right to be 5-0 heading into that game, but also just as a unit we’ve also been through some things and adversity early in the season which taught us a bunch about ourselves and our identity.”

Now at 6-0, Oregon has a few remaining tests on the schedule. Only two ranked opponents remain, though there are three road games — never a given.

Still, most expect the Ducks to keep rolling.

The program has one of the most well-rounded outfits in the country. Oregon is 16th in total offense, 29th in scoring offense, 19th in total defense and 31st in scoring defense.

That’s enough to win you plenty of ballgames. It’s also why Lanning’s message to his players before the game got through. Gabriel relayed that message.

“So when we get into this game, this big game, it’s going to be a dogfight, a heavy-weight, pound for pound, we’ve been in that moment,” Gabriel said. “So just seize on that and keep swinging.”

Oregon might not have landed a direct knockout blow on Ohio State, but it certainly finished the night on its feet, capable of winning by decision. And as the clock ticked down on Buckeyes quarterback Will Howard and company, it was Oregon there to celebrate.

Next up on the path to the playoffs is a road trip to Purdue. That game will kick off at 8 p.m. ET on Friday, with a broadcast slated for FOX.