Oregon's 41-28 Win Ends Ohio State's Playoff Push and Season
The Buckeyes suffered their third loss of 2026 after Oregon scored 38 consecutive points, a performance that has intensified scrutiny of head coach Ryan Day.
By Zoe Harrison ·
Ohio State fans began leaving Ohio Stadium with 12 minutes and 51 seconds remaining, following a sack by quarterback Luke Fahey that left the team stranded on the wrong side of the 50-yard line. The exit signaled the end of the 2026 season for the Buckeyes.
The preseason No. 1 team suffered a 41-28 defeat to No. 23 Oregon on Saturday. The loss eliminated Ohio State from the College Football Playoff race. At one point in the contest, Oregon scored 38 consecutive points. This marked the first time since 1999 that Ohio State surrendered such a long scoring streak.
Oregon coach Dan Lanning called a fake punt on fourth and 10 from his team's 37-yard line while trailing 14-3. The play ignited the Ducks, who scored 14 points in under two minutes to take a 17-14 lead into halftime. Ohio State did not lead again for the remainder of the game.
Coach Ryan Day told his players in the postgame locker room that they would have to weather the storm. He described the team's position as unacceptable, noting that losing three games in Columbus is a standard he does not expect to meet. The Buckeyes are now 6-3 with remaining games against Northwestern, Nebraska, and Michigan.
This defeat marks the first time since 2011 that Ohio State has recorded three losses by this point in the season. The roster is valued at more than $40 million, according to CBS Sports sources. Despite the high cost, the team relied heavily on receiver Jeremiah Smith, while other players struggled to produce consistent results.
The absence of starting quarterback Julian Sayin has been a clear factor in the last two losses. However, the team's running game and defensive stops in the second half were also poor. Sophomore Tavien St. Clair, a top-five recruit, did not play against either USC or Oregon, suggesting the coaching staff has not developed a viable alternative to Fahey.
Ohio State is 6-5 in its last 11 games. The team lost four top 15 draft picks from last year's squad, including linebacker Arvell Reese and receiver Carnell Tate. The loss of that talent has left the receivers room thin, and the team has not been able to replace that depth effectively.
Day remains under pressure to determine the team's future path. Key decisions include whether to bring back Sayin for another year, make changes to the coaching staff, or pursue an aggressive transfer portal strategy. The Buckeyes now face a schedule that offers few opportunities to regain momentum before the postseason.
