No. 2 Oregon football actually squeaked by visiting Boise State, winning 34-27 on Saturday afternoon. I’m telling you, it felt way too close for comfort for a team with that No. 2 ranking. And afterward, you know coach Dan Lanning? He didn’t even try to hide it. He told CBS Sports’ Jenny Dell straight up that the Ducks have “a lot to fix” and “a lot to clean up.” You gotta wonder what’s going on when your top team scrapes by like that, especially this early in the season.
How Did This Get So Close?
This is where it gets wild. Oregon wasn’t just *expected* to win, they were 24.5-point favorites, according to FanDuel Sportsbook. That’s not just a big favorite, that’s a *statement* expectation, like they were supposed to just roll over the Broncos. But Boise State, man, they clearly didn’t care about the odds. They showed up to play. They pushed, they clawed, they made Oregon sweat. And then, with just 8:45 left on the clock in regulation, Boise State kicker Canaan More stepped up and drilled a 36-yard field goal. Boom, tied game: 27-27. Can you even imagine the silence? Or the roar from the Boise State sideline? It was 27-27. The No. 2 team in the country, against a huge underdog, with the game tied late in the fourth quarter. It was an absolute nail-biter, something nobody saw coming for a team expected to dominate.
One Big Play Saved The Day, But What Now?
Talk about a gut check. Right when it looked like the unthinkable, an all-time upset, was about to go down, Dante Moore stepped up big time. Just *two plays* from scrimmage after that soul-crushing tying field goal, the Ducks quarterback launched a monstrous 62-yard touchdown pass to Dakorien Moore. That’s a game-changer, a season-saver, a play that tells you your QB has ice in his veins. That’s the kind of clutch performance you *demand* from a No. 2 team when everything’s on the line. Boise State tried to answer, sure. They got two more possessions, but the momentum was gone. Oregon’s defense tightened, forcing a three-and-out. Then, on the very next drive, Boise State couldn’t convert, turning the ball over on downs at their own 31-yard line. Ballgame. Oregon wins, barely.
So yeah, the scoreboard says W for Oregon. But if Lanning is telling the world they have “a lot to fix” and “a lot to clean up” after winning as a 24.5-point favorite, that’s a red flag. This isn’t just early-season jitters, it’s a call to action from the head coach. They absolutely need to tighten things up, sharpish, if they want to hold onto that No. 2 ranking and actually make a run this season. That game was way too close, and the issues Lanning spotted are clear. Time to get to work.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Bleacher Report.
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