Maybe all Oregon needed was just a little extra motivation.
The Ducks’ ears perked up when College Football Playoff selection committee slotted them at No. 9 in the first rankings of the season.
They listened further when Kirk Herbstreit tried told Pat McAfee that Iowa wasn’t going to lose a November home game to a ranked opponent, something the Hawkeyes have excelled in.
Haven’t people learned not to give Oregon coach Dan Lanning extra motivation?
Lanning and the Ducks made a statement, narrowly beating No. 24 Iowa 18-16 to reaffirm its status as a playoff contender.
It was far from the flashy, dominant win we’ve grown accustomed to seeing Oregon pull off. But even though the Ducks didn’t pummel the Hawkeyes to death, it’s just as impressive of a win.
Oregon was without leading receiver Dakorien Moore and tight end Kenyon Sadiq was hobbled. Gary Bryant Jr., another important receiver, left early in the contest. The pressure was on for Dante Moore and company to execute against one of the best passing defenses in the country.
Instead, the Ducks flexed their muscles and reminded the committee its defense is up there with one of the best.
“I guess that’s what they call Big Ten football,” Lanning said. “What an unbelievable game.”
Sure, the Iowa offense isn’t much to brag about, but Oregon’s defense was able to carry the day when the explosive offense was subdued.
An errant snap on a punt by Iowa in the first quarter led to a safety. Oregon recovered a fumble in its own territory to prevent an Iowa score.
But the defense could only hold on for so long. Iowa scored a touchdown to take a one-point lead with 1:51 left in the game.
That’s when the offense did just enough. Dante Moore used precision passing and was able to lead the Ducks into field-goal range.
Then they needed with the leg of Atticus Sappington, who drilled it from 39 yards with three seconds left for his third field goal of the day to secure the win.
“Unbelievable job of our players in those moments,” Lanning said.
Don’t be fooled by the offensive struggles. Oregon has proven it can play a tough brand of football.
It was just the type of win Oregon needed. Ask Indiana how its trip to Iowa City went, when it scored a season-low 20 points and won by just five points.
It’s the best win of the season, after the Penn State victory lost some its luster thanks to the downfall of the Nittany Lions. Before the game, Oregon’s only win against a team above .500 was against 5-4 Northwestern.
The Ducks will return home to play Minnesota. After that comes what could be a playoff elimination game against Southern California. Then there’s the season finale, where the same stakes could be on the line on the road against rival Washington.
If its future opponents are able to keep up, that would give Oregon important victories at the most-important time of the season.
That should be more than enough to impress the committee to not just make the playoff, but give them the possibility of hosting a first round game, meaning someone will have to go into Austen Stadium to advance into the quarterfinal.
