Dylan Raiola throws for 257 yards and two touchdowns, Dierre Hill Jr. scores twice, and Dan Lanning's aggressive play-calling fuels a stunning comeback from a 14-point deficit in Columbus.
The Ducks, ranked No. 23 in the initial College Football Playoff rankings, overcame an early 14-0 deficit behind quarterback Dylan Raiola, running back Dierre Hill Jr. and a series of aggressive decisions by coach Dan Lanning that transformed the Big Ten showdown.
Raiola completed 25 of 40 passes for 257 yards and two touchdowns, while Hill rushed for 75 yards and two scores. Freshman receiver Brandon Smith caught a touchdown pass early in the fourth quarter to complete Oregon's 38-point scoring surge.
The victory kept Oregon in the College Football Playoff conversation and delivered a rare collapse for Ohio State, which had not lost a home game after leading by 14 points in 25 years, according to Oregon's game report.
"Lot of credit to our players for really not flinching, not blinking when you're down 14, and to just keep fighting," Lanning said. "We've proven that we can be a team that's been in tough battles and can battle back."
Ohio State dominates early before Oregon finds its rhythm
Ohio State appeared poised to control the game after building a 14-0 first-quarter lead, capitalizing on Oregon's early offensive struggles and converting critical third-down opportunities.
The Buckeyes converted all three of their third-down attempts on their opening scoring possession, establishing an offensive rhythm that initially kept Oregon's defense on its heels.
But the Ducks gradually adjusted.
Oregon opened its scoring with a second-quarter field goal, cutting Ohio State's lead to 14-3 and beginning a stretch that would completely change the game.
Raiola settled into the offense, while Hill began finding opportunities against the Buckeyes' defense.
The Ducks also leaned into Lanning's aggressive approach, using unconventional special teams decisions to create momentum.
The turning point came late in the first half.
Fake punt sparks Oregon's 21-point surge around halftime
Facing a crucial situation while trailing, Oregon executed a fake punt that caught Ohio State off guard.
Upback Teitum Tuioti delivered a 30-yard pass to fellow upback and outside linebacker Matayo Uiagalelei, extending the possession and positioning the Ducks for a touchdown.
Hill eventually finished the drive with his first rushing score, trimming the deficit to 14-10 with 1:25 remaining before halftime.
The play ignited a remarkable stretch of offensive production.
Freshman safety Devin Jackson made an acrobatic interception, giving Oregon another possession before the break.
Rather than settle for a conventional goal-line play, Lanning turned to another unexpected formation.
Tight end Jamari Johnson lined up under center, took the snap and powered into the end zone from 2 yards out on the final play of the half.
Oregon entered halftime ahead 17-14, having transformed a 14-point deficit into a three-point advantage.
The Ducks continued their surge immediately after the break.
Less than two minutes into the third quarter, Hill broke free for a 48-yard touchdown run, extending Oregon's lead to 24-14.
The three touchdowns spanning the final minutes of the second quarter and opening moments of the third represented a 21-point burst during the critical period coaches commonly call the "middle eight."
Lanning said his decision-making reflected a commitment to taking calculated risks.
"If we didn't fake that punt, if we didn't go for it on fourth down there, down tight in the red area, I would have been flying back regretting that," Lanning said.
The bold approach helped turn the momentum decisively toward Oregon.
Dylan Raiola leads Oregon's offensive resurgence
Raiola's performance provided stability for an Oregon offense that had struggled with consistency following an injury to its previous starting quarterback in late September.
After early mistakes disrupted the Ducks' opening possessions, Raiola began finding openings in Ohio State's coverage.
His 257 passing yards and two touchdown throws helped Oregon maintain pressure throughout the middle quarters.
Freshman Brandon Smith emerged as another important contributor, catching a touchdown pass early in the fourth quarter that capped Oregon's run of 38 consecutive points.
Receiver Dakorien Moore also contributed a touchdown reception on a fade route, continuing his production near the goal line.
Raiola said Oregon's offensive confidence never disappeared, even after the Buckeyes established their early advantage.
"We were confident in our plan," Raiola said. "We saw seams everywhere in their defense when we were game-planning for them."
He pointed to Oregon's previous comeback victory as evidence that the Ducks could respond under pressure.
"We never got down," Raiola said. "We were confident when they got up 14."
Oregon eventually stretched its lead to 38-14 before Ohio State mounted a late response. The Ducks added three more points and held on for the 41-28 victory.
Oregon defense limits Ohio State's explosive offense
Although Oregon's offense produced the decisive scoring run, its defensive adjustments proved equally important.
The Ducks struggled to contain Ohio State's offense early, particularly on third down, but improved considerably as the game progressed.
After converting all three third-down attempts on their opening touchdown drive, the Buckeyes managed only three additional conversions for the remainder of the game.
Ohio State also failed on all four fourth-down attempts, preventing the Buckeyes from sustaining possessions during Oregon's comeback.
Defensively, Devon Jackson and Dylan Williams finished with eight tackles apiece, leading a unit that increasingly disrupted Ohio State's offensive rhythm.
Oregon also limited explosive opportunities for star Buckeyes receiver Jeremiah Smith until the contest had largely shifted in the Ducks' favor.
The defense's ability to force stops and create additional possessions gave Raiola and the Oregon offense the opportunities needed to seize control.
Lanning acknowledged the early breakdowns but credited his players for making adjustments.
"I thought our players settled in," he said.
College Football Playoff implications: Oregon strengthens its case
Oregon entered Saturday's matchup ranked No. 23 in the initial College Football Playoff standings, facing considerable pressure to improve its postseason résumé.
The Ducks had endured an uneven October after losing their starting quarterback to injury in late September. A comeback victory during Halloween weekend provided momentum, but a road matchup against Ohio State represented a much more demanding test.
Saturday's performance gave Oregon a significant result against one of college football's premier programs.
The Ducks also accomplished something unusual in their modern history: overcoming deficits of at least 14 points in consecutive games.
While the victory does not guarantee a playoff berth, defeating Ohio State on the road provides a compelling addition to Oregon's postseason case.
For the Buckeyes, the defeat raises questions about their ability to protect leads and maintain offensive consistency against high-level Big Ten competition.
Ohio State's early 14-point advantage disappeared during Oregon's decisive scoring surge, and the Buckeyes were unable to regain control despite scoring twice after falling behind 38-14.
What's next for Oregon and Ohio State?
Oregon's next challenge will be maintaining the momentum generated by its comeback victories as the Big Ten regular season approaches its conclusion.
The Ducks' remaining games will determine whether Saturday's upset becomes a defining moment in a late-season playoff push or simply a highlight in an uneven campaign.
For Lanning, the formula remains straightforward: aggressive football, resilient execution and a refusal to be distracted by playoff speculation.
"We're like cockroaches, man," Lanning said. "We won't die."
For a team that trailed by 14 points before scoring 38 straight, the comparison captured Oregon's ability to survive adversity and keep its championship ambitions alive.
Ohio State quarterback Luke Fahey finished with 360 passing yards, while Jeremiah Smith caught seven passes for 133 yards and a touchdown. Oregon's next game is against Michigan on Nov. 14; Ohio State hosts Northwestern the same day.
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-- By James A. Wright
Robert Douglass contributed to this report.
© Copyright 2026 JWT Communications. All rights reserved. This article cannot be republished, rebroadcast, rewritten, or distributed in any form without written permission.
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