When you suffer from one of the biggest upsets in college football history, it’s fair for fans to assess blame as they see fit. After the Oregon Ducks fell flat on the road against Oklahoma State, losing 39-31, both of the Ducks’ coordinators came under fire.
Oregon’s offense looked out of sync throughout and managed just 281 total yards, while the Ducks‘ defense missed tackles, committed plenty of penalties, and made several mistakes that led to 554 total yards for the Cowboys. As the field inside Boone Pickens Stadium swarmed with Oklahoma State fans, and Oregon’s playoff hopes took a significant hit, one of the program’s biggest offseason moves came into question.
After the game, Dan Lanning was asked whether he was second-guessing his decision to promote Drew Mehringer to offensive coordinator and Chris Hampton to defensive coordinator, given the team’s slow start through two games. Despite the loss, Lanning has his coordinators’ backs.
“No, I think it’s the easy thing to say if you’re watching, like, ‘Obviously it’s an OC and DC thing,'” Lanning said. “No, it’s a combination of a staff. The decisions I make, the decisions we make as an offensive staff, the decisions we make as a defensive staff, and then execution. All of those things play into it.”
Oregon was held to just 4.8 yards per play and had a costly turnover late. Lanning also opted to go for it on fourth down in his own territory in the fourth quarter while trailing, and the Ducks failed. Dante Moore was sacked four times and completed just 14-of-29 pass attempts.
The decisions were consequential, and Oregon shot itself in the foot at every turn. While some dismissed the Ducks’ tight win over Boise State as early-season jitters, Saturday’s loss on the road to Oklahoma State was more revealing of the fundamental flaws in the team, from both players and coaches.
“Every bit of that, I own. I’m responsible for it,” Lanning said. “Ultimately, plays don’t matter unless you execute the play. Can we call better plays? Absolutely, on both sides of the ball. This isn’t a Hamp or Drew — oh, that’s the reason? No. We have to go execute plays. If we were executing plays and they weren’t working, that would be different.”
The Ducks racked up seven penalites for 66 yards, several of which came during big moments in the game. Oregon was fortunate to be in the game in the first half because of two interceptions off Drew Mestemaker, one of which turned into a 96-yard pick-six for Oregon linebacker Devon Jackson.
Bobbing and weaving, Devon Jackson’s speed is on full display today. pic.twitter.com/dSDYSwdIJh
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It’s back to the drawing board for Lanning and Oregon’s coordinators after a heartbreaking loss. The Ducks still have all of their hopes in front of them, but it will take a dramatic shift in production and execution on both sides of the ball for the Ducks to make those dreams a reality.
Oregon will head home and prepare for a shorter week of practice, with Portland State coming to Eugene for a Friday night contest.
This article originally appeared on Ducks Wire: Dan Lanning confident in coordinators, owns Oregon’s shocking loss
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