OregonDucks

Another thing that I have a question about from the last 4th down is - why call a play where all of the receivers are running 10 yard routes, when we only needed 3 yards (to the Washington 44) for the first down? I believe that the play took 3-4 seconds to set up, which seems like an eternity in that situation.

Yes, but the point is, unlike the rest of us, Phil Knight can do something about it. I wouldn’t be surprised if he had a conversation after the game with Dan Lanning or Rob Mullens. I’m sure that PK doesn’t like to see the same mistakes happening again and again, especially against our rivals, potentially costing us a shot at the playoffs (the margin of error is now zero the rest of the way).

If Oregon converted one of the three fourth downs, Oregon likely would have won the game on Saturday. Heck, if our kicker made a straight ahead 42 yarder, it would have been anyone’s game in OT. That’s how close we were to winning in Seattle.

You really don’t believe this do you? Phil Knight has access and influence that the average fan can only dream of. The AD didn’t consult with me about joining the B1G…

The last 4th down attempt also showed that the middle receiver was open. I don't love this particular play design since the receivers on the left are in the same area. As an OC, it seems like you'd have a few short yardage options that scheme a player wide open or you have some quick options B and C. I'm sure that the coaches will watch the film with Bo and, hopefully, he'll make adjustments for future games. https://twitter.com/zacharycneel/status/1713627406228226415/photo/2 https://twitter.com/zacharycneel/status/1713645844837323258/photo/3

As I mentioned during the game, I disagreed with the call to go for the second 4th and short because a field goal would have cut the lead to a one possession game (TD + 2 point conversion). That aside, there have been some talk about Nix staring down his primary (perhaps Bo is overly confident/reliant on Franklin) and not progressing through his reads against Washington. Below is a screenshot that shows Holden wide open in the middle of the field on the second 4th and short that we did not convert. Holden was jumping up and down after the play, as he knew he was WIDE OPEN. I'm sure that Nix would love to have this one back, as only the official is in position to make a play on the ball...

With as well as Bridges played in Oregon's bowl game, I'm surprised that he has not played more this season.

As much as it pains me to admit, perhaps Penix should win the Heisman this season. What would the score have been yesterday (or last year) without him? Overall, Washington would be a middle of the Pac team without Penix.

I'm in the minority here but I didn't mind Dan Lanning going for it on 4th and short at the end of the first half. We received a "free possession" from a gift interception (i.e., playing with house money) and a TD would have given Oregon a lead heading into halftime and we were going to receive the ball to start the second half. As someone mentioned, Oregon was converting ~80% of fourth down heading into this game. The play calls on fourth downs were head scratching in both design and execution.

Anything less is a disappointing season, IMO. Will Dan Lanning have a better team than he has this year, with an experienced, Heisman caliber QB running the offense?

Although not traditional, I agree with the decision to go for it on 4th and short at the end of the fourth quarter. Oregon's odds of picking up the first down (and running out the clock) were probably higher than the odds of stopping Penix & Washington from scoring a go-ahead TD, which was proven when they scored in 2 plays and 30-something seconds. It also preserved some time for Oregon to have the final possession to tie or win the game. The only 4th down decision that didn't make sense to me was the second 4th and short. A field goal there would have made it a one possession game (TD + 2 point conversion), which is much better than a 2 or 3 possession game in the second half.

How were those other programs before those coaches took over? Dan Lanning was handed the keys to a pretty successful program. That is usually not the case with a head coaching change.

As the announces said, the stoppage actually helped the Washington defense catch their breath and regroup.

"It was the first possession of the second half, and Bo Nix threw a check-down to a receiver. Not abnormal by any stretch. The issue? It was 3rd and 12, and Oregon was down 22-18." Isn't that what QBs are taught to do, if the downfield receivers are covered? I do not remember how much time Bo had on this particular play, perhaps he could have extended the play with his legs, but what would people have said, if he forced a throw downfield that was intercepted? I agree that the calls on 4th and short were terrible. If you are going to throw for it, you better have a great play design to get someone wide open. Chip Kelly was successful going for it on 4th down due to play design and execution. We saw neither yesterday.

At first, I was worried that it was a knee injury; however, the replay showed him grabbing at his hamstring. So, unless it's a full tear, he may be hobbled for a few weeks.

We are so lucky to have Bo Nix in an Oregon uniform. He's such a great leader and young man.

Not really. I wanted the Trojans to be highly rated strutting into Autzen so that Oregon could have been the team to expose them.

Serious question - would Kirby Smart have gone for it on any of the 4th downs today, if he were in Dan Lanning’s shoes? I don’t know how aggressive a coach Kirby Smart is and I am wondering where Dan Lanning’s aggressiveness comes from.

I didn’t mind going for the TD at the end of the first half since it was a “free possession” (playing with house money) and we were getting the ball after halftime. The second decision to go for it on 4th boggled my mind. We would have only been down by one possession (TD + 2 point conversion) if we kicked the field goal. It’s like Lanning was doubling down on his earlier decision that failed. The decision in the fourth quarter to go for it may have been the right decision but a terrible play call. I’m sure that Lanning had more faith in our offense’s ability to pick up a few yards to seal the game vs. our defense’s ability to stop Penix in clutch time. As it played out, Oregon got the ball back with enough time to tie or win (vs. allowing Washington to go 80-90 yards and take all the time off the clock).

I'll have to add another key to victory in big games from here on out: 5) No questionable coaching decisions by Coach Lanning that sacrifice points for Oregon, kill momentum or give the other team excellent field position.

I hope that Oregon has another good placekicker on the team because some players never recover from this... Tough way for Bo Nix and the Oregon Ducks to lose, giving them no room for error the rest of the way.

What a heartbreaking way to lose. Think DL will be asked about giving up a potential 6 points? Never trust a kicker...

I can't believe that they ruled that incomplete on the field! Pac-12 refs are the worst!!!

Great. I'm adding it to my dictionary!!!

LOL. Is that a new word?!!!