Watch: Dan Lanning discusses Oregon's nailbiting win over Utah
The No. 12 Oregon Ducks gutted out a season-defining win over the No. 10 Utah Utes Saturday in Eugene.
With their conference title hopes on the line, the Ducks overcame some second-half offensive struggles and leaned on a few defensive veterans to improve to 9-2 on the season and 7-1 in Pac-12 play.
With Bo Nix hobbled by an ankle injury, and a few key offensive linemen also dinged up, Oregon found a way nonetheless against a Utah team that dealt the Ducks two humiliating losses last season.
After the win, Oregon head coach Dan Lanning met with reporters for his postgame press conference and discussed what it meant for his program after last week’s difficult loss to Washington.
He also discussed the performance of Oregon quarterback Bo Nix, who was dealing with an ankle injury that nearly kepy him from taking the field on Saturday.
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“I can’t say enough about our quarterback,” Lanning said. “To play in this game, after being banged up and really having limited practice reps. … For him to go out there and have a gutsy peformance was really improtant and special for this team. Excited for our win.
“There’s a lot of love in that locker room, man. That’s a good team we just played. I’ve got more respect, probably, for (Utah coach Kyle Whittingham) than anybody in this conference. He’s won a lot fo ballgames and that’s a good team.”
Lanning also praised his defense for what was arguably its best perfromance of the season. He was asked specifically about senio defensive back Bennett Williams, who grabbed two interceptions and racked up a team-high 14 tackles.
“Bennett Williams is a tough kid, man. He’s a tough kid that has high expectations for himself,” Lanning said. “When his best was neede,d he showed up. He always competes. I was glad he could make some big plays for this team.”
Watch Lanning’s full interview below.
