Oregon defeated Ohio State 41-28 in Columbus, likely extinguishing the Buckeyes' College Football Playoff hopes and marking the first time Ohio State has suffered three or more losses by November 7 since 2011. The Ducks rallied from a 14-0 deficit to score 41 unanswered points after a fourth-down fake punt deep in their own territory completely shifted momentum late in the first half.
Facing fourth-and-9 from their own 31-yard line while trailing 14-3, Oregon coach Dan Lanning called for a fake punt. Linebacker Teitum Tuioti found a wide-open Matayo Uiagalelei for a 30-yard gain. The Ducks scored a touchdown five plays later, then capitalized on a Luke Fahey interception to take a 17-14 halftime lead despite trailing 14-3 with less than two minutes remaining in the half. Oregon never looked back, scoring 28 consecutive points at one point—the most unanswered points Ohio State has allowed since Wisconsin scored 39 straight in 1999.
Oregon quarterback Dylan Raiola completed 25 of 40 passes for 257 yards and two touchdowns after struggling early. Running back Dierre Hill Jr. added two touchdowns, including a 48-yard score in the third quarter. Ohio State quarterback Luke Fahey, a freshman, completed 13 of 19 passes for 143 yards and an interception in the first half but struggled to maintain rhythm after the hot start. Star wide receiver Jeremiah Smith caught a late touchdown but the game was already out of reach.
Ohio State now stands at 6-3 with no ranked opponents remaining on the schedule. The Buckeyes entered the game already on the playoff bubble and drop to 35.7 percent playoff odds according to forecasting models. The loss came in what was considered a must-win game for a program that began the season with national championship aspirations.