After the loss to the Oregon Ducks, the defense had to “start from scratch”

No. 1 Oregon Ducks catapulted their season with an upset victory over Ohio Buckeyes October 12 at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Oregon.

The Ducks offense stunned, gaining 496 yards of offense in a 32-31 win over the Buckeyes. Oregon Defender Dillon Gabriel threw for 341 yards and the team added 155 yards. The Ducks finished the game with eight plays of 25 or more yards and did not allow a sack.

… In short, the Buckeyes had no answer to Oregon’s offense. Ohio State coach Ryan Day says the loss forced the team to go back to the drawing board and rework the defense.

“We almost… it’s a stupid word, but it’s like we re-engineered the defense,” Day said. “After the Oregon game, we basically had to start from scratch. I don’t mean giving up everything, but, “Okay, what are the basic fundamentals of what we’re trying to do?”

“Who are the best players?” The day continued. “We have to give our best players the opportunity to succeed. What teams are planning on us and what are they counting on?” And you start going through this process and you almost have to kind of tear it down and rebuild it a little bit.”

Oregon’s win over Day’s Buckeyes was the program’s highest win ever at Autzen Stadium. Since then, the Ducks have continued to focus on their perfect 9-0 record. Ohio State bounced back with a 21-17 win over Nebraska and an important 20-13 road win over then-No. 3 Pennsylvania.

Ohio State faces Indiana on November 23rd. The Buckeyes control their own destiny with a win over the Hoosiers.

Oregon and Ohio State could very well meet again this season, this time in the Big Ten Championship Game on Dec. 7 at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. The winner will likely receive one of the top two seeds in the 12-team field. College football playoffsand the loser will receive the first total bet.

Oregon coach continues unabated Dan Lanning.

“I’m really proud of our guys, but I’m also really excited to figure out what we can attack and improve on,” Lanning said after the win over Ohio State. “Because the team we are today, October 12, will not be the same team we were in December.”

A rematch between Oregon State and Ohio State for the conference crown… Sounds like a college football dream.