When Ohio State and Oregon last met on the gridiron, the Ducks stunned the Buckeyes with a 35-28 victory that exposed weaknesses in Ohio State’s approach on both sides of the ball. Now, with a rematch looming and a spot in the College Football Playoff National Championship on the line, head coach Ryan Day is leaving no stone unturned. Reflecting on that defeat, Day acknowledged that the Buckeyes must significantly adjust their game plan to overcome Oregon’s well-rounded attack and secure a season-defining victory.
In their initial meeting, Oregon exploited Ohio State’s defensive vulnerabilities, particularly on the ground. The Ducks rushed for over 250 yards, with running back CJ Verdell torching the Buckeyes for big gains, including a game-breaking 77-yard touchdown run. Oregon’s offensive line consistently won the battle in the trenches, allowing quarterback Anthony Brown to execute a balanced attack that kept Ohio State off balance.
On offense, the Buckeyes struggled to capitalize on their opportunities. Despite piling up over 600 yards of total offense, Ohio State couldn’t convert key drives into points. Turnovers and inefficiency in the red zone were costly, as was their inability to adjust to Oregon’s defensive schemes.
Day made it clear that those mistakes won’t be repeated. “We didn’t execute the way we needed to, and that starts with me as the head coach,” Day said. “This time around, we have to be sharper, more physical, and more disciplined.”
The most glaring issue in the previous game was Ohio State’s defensive performance. The Buckeyes failed to contain Oregon’s run game, which allowed the Ducks to dictate the tempo. Since then, Ohio State has overhauled its defensive scheme, emphasizing aggression and gap discipline under defensive coordinator Jim Knowles.
“We’ve come a long way defensively since that game,” Day said. “We’re tackling better, we’re communicating better, and we’ve shown we can handle high-powered offenses. But Oregon is unique, and we need to be ready for everything they throw at us.”
The Buckeyes will focus on containing Oregon quarterback Bo Nix, who has been instrumental in the Ducks’ success this season. Nix’s dual-threat ability presents a challenge, but Day believes Ohio State’s defense is up to the task. “We have to keep him in the pocket and force him into tough throws,” Day noted.
Ohio State’s offense has been one of the best in the nation, led by quarterback Kyle McCord and star wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. However, red zone efficiency was a glaring issue in the previous matchup with Oregon.
“We can’t leave points on the board,” Day said. “When we get inside the 20, it has to be touchdowns, not field goals.”
Expect Ohio State to mix in more creative play designs in the red zone, utilizing Harrison Jr., Emeka Egbuka, and their tight ends to exploit mismatches. Additionally, establishing a consistent run game with TreVeyon Henderson will be critical to keeping Oregon’s defense honest.
The battle at the line of scrimmage will be pivotal in the rematch. Oregon dominated the trenches in the first meeting, but Day is confident that his team has improved in this area.
“It’s about physicality and execution,” Day said. “We have to protect Kyle better, and we have to open up running lanes. It starts with winning those one-on-one matchups upfront.”
Beyond the Xs and Os, Day stressed the importance of mental toughness heading into the rematch. With so much on the line, composure and focus will be critical.
“This is about competing for a championship,” Day said. “We can’t let the moment get too big. We need to stay locked in and play our brand of football.”
For Ohio State, the rematch with Oregon is more than just a chance at redemption—it’s an opportunity to prove their growth and cement their status as one of the premier programs in college football.
“We know what’s at stake,” Day said. “This team has worked too hard to let this opportunity slip away. We’re ready to make the necessary adjustments and leave it all on the field.”
The showdown between the Buckeyes and the Ducks promises to be one of the most compelling matchups of the season. With a revamped game plan and a hunger for redemption, Ohio State will look to flip the script and punch their ticket to the national championship.