Did Dan Lanning Intentionally Use 12 Defenders Against Ohio State?
Did Oregon coach Dan Lanning purposely call for 12 defenders to take the field on Ohio State’s penultimate offensive snap Saturday — knowing that it would either be missed by the refs (thus aiding the Duck defense) or, even if flagged, would result in just a 5-yard penalty but cost the Buckeyes precious time on the clock because of a NCAA rulebook loophole?
Maybe? Probably not? If so, why did he use it so judiciously, and perhaps with great risk?
These questions have been swirling around college football circles since the game, with multiple coaches discussing the unusual strategy.
Ultimately, it might not matter much as Oregon triumphed 32-31, marking one of the greatest victories in school history. All hail Dan Lanning and the Ducks for that.
However, Lanning’s late-game decisions raise eyebrows regarding whether he fully understood the consequences of his actions, inviting inquiries from the football community.
As a result, college coaches across the nation are contemplating whether to adopt a similar strategy to counter late-game drives.
The NCAA swiftly convened to address the issue, considering an emergency rule change to close the loophole that Lanning may have exploited, which they enacted on Wednesday afternoon to prevent disruptions in upcoming games.
Here’s a recap of the situation: Oregon led 32-31 with just 10 seconds left. Ohio State was at the Ducks’ 43-yard line, facing a third-and-25. After a timeout, Oregon inexplicably had 12 defenders on the field as the Buckeyes snapped the ball with three receivers on the right side and only one (Jeremiah Smith) to the left.
Ohio State quarterback Will Howard initially scanned the right side but the extra cornerback’s presence likely disrupted the play. He then shifted to the left, targeting Smith, who faced somewhat less coverage but still had a safety positioned to help prevent a big play.
Oregon cornerback Jabbar Muhammad made a critical play, knocking the pass down at the Oregon 30-yard line.
Ohio State coach Ryan Day immediately called for a too-many-men penalty, which was granted. However, due to the loophole, while Ohio State was awarded five yards, they did not get the clock reset to pre-snap time, instead facing a third-and-20 with just six seconds remaining.
In this critical moment, the penalty was actually advantageous to Oregon. The following play saw Howard scramble for 12 yards, but he couldn’t get down in time to call a last-ditch timeout for a potential game-winning field goal. Oregon held on for the win.
The situation raises questions: Did Lanning intentionally exploit the rule? He faced inquiries about his supposed cunning, yet his responses were ambiguous.
Lanning discussed coverage schemes but dodged directly addressing the legality of his strategy, leaving fans and analysts pondering his true intent.
Moreover, should his plan have been to stop Ohio State’s offense, why only deploy 12 defenders? Why not send a larger number to further limit their options, or strategically set up their defenses against their top receiver?
If Lanning was indeed aware of the loophole, why not implement this tactic earlier in the game, when time management was critical?
What remains particularly baffling is the decision not to repeat the strategy on subsequent plays, despite its previous success. By continuing to employ the same tactic, Oregon could have further controlled the game clock, preventing Ohio State from even contemplating a successful field goal attempt.
In summary, while the outcome was favorable for Oregon, Lanning’s decision-making warrants greater examination. Did he stumble onto a clever tactic or methodically outsmart his opponent? Regardless, his leadership has undoubtedly shaped a remarkable football program in Eugene.
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