EUGENE, Ore. — The No. 2 ranked Oregon Ducks executed a remarkably strategic move during their 32-31 victory over the No. 4 Ohio State Buckeyes, which involved having 12 players on the field late in the game. This decision resulted in a crucial penalty that allowed the clock to run down significantly.

Head coach Dan Lanning revealed on Monday night that this unusual tactic was intentional. “We dedicate considerable effort to rehearsing various game situations, some of which are rare in college football. Clearly, this was a scenario we had prepared for,” Lanning explained. The strategy paid off in a decisive moment during Saturday’s matchup.

Oregon seized the lead with just 1 minute and 47 seconds remaining in the game when Atticus Sappington successfully kicked a 19-yard field goal, which granted Ohio State a narrow window to mount a response for a possible victory. Facing a challenging third-and-25 at Oregon’s 43-yard line, the Buckeyes attempted to regroup, resulting in a timeout called by the Ducks with only 10 seconds left on the game clock.

In a surprising twist, just before the snap, defensive back Dontae Manning entered the field, inadvertently providing Oregon with an extra defender. This unconventional setup prevented Ohio State from completing a pass against the Ducks’ 12-man formation. Subsequently, Oregon was penalized for illegal substitution, allowing Ohio State to gain five yards. However, the penalty caused the game clock to decrease by four seconds, placing the Buckeyes in a precarious position with merely six seconds remaining.

Quarterback Will Howard made a desperate attempt to advance the ball by scrambling up the middle but slid to the ground just a moment too late to allow Ohio State a timeout. This left them with no chance to attempt a game-winning field goal from the 26-yard line of Oregon. Lanning’s clever tactical maneuver ultimately led the Ducks to victory and secured their ascent to No. 2 in the current college football rankings.