Instant Recap: Oregon defeats Penn State 45-37

Coming into tonight, the Ducks rank No. 1 in the nation, and the Nittany Lions are No. 3. College Football Playoff seeding at stake tonight for both teams. No. 2 Texas fell to No. 5 Georgia earlier tonight so a Ducks win would 100% secure a No. 1 seeded spot.

First Quarter:

Penn State defers to the second half, Ducks to get the ball first.

A spectacular play by TE Kenyon Sadiq after the catch gives Oregon a 28-yard Touchdown. Oregon striking first on it’s first drive of the game. 7-0 Ducks with 10:40 left in the first quarter, 9 play, 84 yard drive. Just an amazing hurdle there from Sadiq, have to be excited for what he can do next season as a likely starter.

A massive run from Nick Singleton, 41 to be exact, puts Penn State in the redzone. Ducks bend, but don’t break and the Nittany Lions convert a FG. 7-3 Oregon leading with 7:30 remaining in the first quarter.

Huge run from Noah Whittington now, a gain of 26 yards. A ton of running early, and I like it, I think we’ll see play action soon. Oregon goes for it on 4th down and Penn State gets called for a facemask, continuing the drive for the Ducks. Dillon Gabriel drops back and finds Kenyon Sadiq for his second TD catch of the first quarter. After the extra point, Oregon leads 14-3 with 3:21 remaining in the quarter, another drive over 70 yards.

Another good drive into the redzone for Penn State after a big play from Tyler Warren is immediately followed by an easy TD pass to Nick Singleton. Horrific 4 play stretch there for Oregon, absolutely horrific coverage. Ducks lead 14-10 with 1:24 to play in the first quarter.

A 15 yard penalty gets added onto the start of the Ducks drive so they will get it at the 40 instead of the 25. Tez Johnson with a 24-yard reception adds another explosive play to this game. Ducks follow that up by allowing a sack, and then the Ducks let the remainder of the first quarter clock drain. Through one, the Ducks lead 14-10.

Second Quarter:

A massive play from Tez Johnson kicks off the second quarter, gain of 31. Another TD for a TE, this time Terrance Ferguson, a 4-yard score. Ducks lead 21-10 with 13:04 remaining in the half.

Yet another unnecessary roughness call on Penn State, backs them up to a 2nd & 19, from their own 16. Quick stop by the Oregon defense, aided by the penalty. An Oregon 3-and-out follows.

Pick Dontae Manning! The receiver wasn’t even looking and the senior Manning was all over it, taking it all the way back to the 1. Jordan James easily punches it in a play later, Oregon leads 28-10 with 10:05 remaining in the first half.

Pass Interference will allow this Penn State drive to continue, call is on the freshman Kingston Lopa. Bryce Boetthcer with a nice tackle behind the line on a first down play. A strike from Allar to Omari Evans for a 22 yard score. Nikko Reed was completely lost on the play, the PI call was huge, and I don’t even think it was a good call. Oregon leads 28-17 with 6:49 left in the first half.

Quick 3-and-out by Oregon. Penn State gets the ball at their own 36 with 5:56 remaining. Huge 4th down coming for Penn State at the Oregon 40, and they convert. Injury timeout with 2:44 left in the half, Oregon’s Jamaree Caldwell down and walks off slowly. Two minute timeout here in Indy, Oregon leading 28-17 but Penn State has a 1st & Goal from the 7. Drew Allar runs it in from 7 yards out, offense has to have a good drive now. 28-24 Oregon still leading with 1:53 left in the half. Offense got complacent and the defense was completely gassed, letting up two touchdowns in less than five minutes.

Crowd is into it now for Penn State, Oregon desperately needs points here. Tez Johnson with another major play, 25 yard gain for him, he is over 100 receiving yards in just the first half. Another good run from Jordan James has Oregon at the Penn State 34. Heck of a scramble from Dillon Gabriel, gain of 11 and Penn State calls timeout. Interestingly Oregon runs the ball up the middle and doesn’t call a timeout, letting the clock drain. That was followed by an incompletion on first down and Oregon had to call a timeout ahead of the 3rd down play. Another incredibly predictable playcall leads to an immediate stop, Oregon will attempt a field goal. It’s good and Oregon leads 31-24 with 7 seconds left in the half.

Ducks lead at the half 31-24, Penn State to receive the second half kickoff.

Third Quarter:

Penn State just marching down the field on their first drive of the second half. Oregon again able to bend but not break however, the 40-yard FG is wide right from Penn State. Oregon still leads 31-24, 9:27 remains in the third quarter.

Beautiful throw on the run from Dillon Gabriel to Tez Johnson who has had a spectacular game. 48-yard throw and catch there from Gabriel to Johnson giving Oregon a 38-24 lead with 7:36 left in the quarter.

Penn State would punt on it’s ensuing possession…as does Oregon. Fantastic punt coverage from Oregon, ball downed at the Penn State 3. Oregon bails Penn State out of bad field position with an illegal hands to the face penalty. The next play Kaytron Allen springs a 32 yard gain, penalties like that are killer. Another huge run from Allen, a gain of 26 now. End of the Third Quarter, Oregon leads 38-24 but Penn State is driving and in the Redzone.

Fourth Quarter:

Beau Pribula takes the ball on a QB keeper for a gain of 18, Penn State with a 1st & Goal from the 1. Penn State barrels in, making it once again a once score game. Penn State goes for two and is unsuccessful, so Oregon leads 38-30 with 14:17 left in the fourth quarter.

Oregon converts a third down on their own side of the field to keep their drive alive. Tez Johnson yet again, big time player converts another third down. Another 3rd down for Oregon on the drive and they don’t convert. 4th & 2, Oregon going for it from the Penn State 35. Dillon Gabriel finds Terrance Ferguson on 4th down and the Ducks are back in the redzone after a 20-yard gain. Jordan James find a hole from 3 yards out and finds the endzone. Ducks on top 45-30 with 7:28 left in the game, huge defensive possession upcoming.

Drew Allar with a 22 yard scramble for a big first down their for the Nittany Lions. Beau Pribula comes in for a play and is sacked by Derrick Harmon. First sack of the game for Oregon just a week after posting 10 sacks against Washington. Kobe Savage makes a fantastic play on Tyler Warren behind the line for a loss of a half yard. 4th & 10 for Penn State now, at the Oregon 14. Drew Allar delivers an absolute dart to Harrison Wallace to keep Penn State alive. 45-37 Oregon leading with 3:41 to play. Ducks need a few first downs to win this one, and keep the ball away from the Penn State offense.

Ducks with a run of no yards, and then a gain of one. Third & 9 here for Oregon and they can’t convert, will now punt.

Two minute warning here at Lucas Oil Stadium, Ducks have a narrow 45-37 lead. Perfect season, playoff seeding, and a Big Ten title on the line. Drew Allar’s pass intended for Harrison Wallace is INTERCEPTED by Nikko Reed, Ducks takeover with 1:54 to go. Oregon converts a first down on a 3rd & 1, Penn State out of timeouts. Victory Formation will come out now for the Ducks, winning the Big Ten in their first season in the conference.