Every single variable was in Penn State’s favor.
The Nittany Lions were home in front of 112,000 fans wearing all white in their annual White Out.
It’s considered one of the toughest atmospheres in college football.
The Oregon Ducks and Dan Lanning took the challenge head-on and shocked the world.
Oregon was able to escape Happy Valley with a huge 30-24 win over No. 3 Penn State in double overtime.
It was safety Dillon Thieneman’s interception on the first play of the second overtime period that won it for the Ducks, who are still undefeated in the Big Ten regular season since joining the conference last season.
“I think that’s the best game I’ve ever been a part of,” Lanning said in his postgame remarks.
“Just unbelievable, back and forth. I guess we got four. We had four touchdowns. I have to start counting overtime, right? Overtime was a different animal.
“But these guys, they fought. We just talked all week. It’s about getting a cut, right? And death by a 1,000 cuts. We just had to get another cut. And eventually that cut was going to be a jugular, and that last interception was a jugular.”
To say this is the best game he’s ever been a part of is quite the statement. Lanning has won the national championship as the defensive coordinator at Georgia.
If things keep going the Ducks’ way this season, Lanning might get another ring.
This win was big time and proved Oregon is a legitimate national title contender, and Dante Moore might be the best quarterback in the country.
In a supposed House of Horrors, Moore was 29-of-39 passing for 248 yards and three touchdowns. He also ran for 35 yards and converted 5-of-7 on fourth down.
The Ducks were ahead 17-3 early in the fourth quarter and in complete control, but Penn State quarterback Drew Allar answered with two scores to tie the game. The last score was with 30 seconds left to force overtime.
The Nittany Lions took a brief 24-17 lead, but Moore hit Jamari Johnson on a shovel pass from two yards out. But that play came after Moore converted a 4th-and-1 from the 4-yard line with his legs.
Oregon got the ball to begin the second overtime period and Moore didn’t waste time. He did Gary Bryant for a 25-yard touchdown to make it 30-24. The Ducks were forced to go for two, but Moore had his only blemish on the night, an interception, and the conversion was no good.
That didn’t turn out to be the biggest pick of the game, however.
On the first play of the Nittany Lions’ possession, Thieneman drifted to a wheel route and high-balled a lofted pass, snagging the ball and the game.
Now, Oregon can enjoy this win a little longer than usual, as the bye week is next before Indiana comes to Autzen Stadium.
GAME HIGHLIGHTS