Oregon routs Ohio State 41-28 in Columbus

Ohio State's bid for a College Football Playoff spot took a serious hit on Saturday as Oregon defeated the Buckeyes 41-28 in Columbus.

The loss ends a long streak, as Ohio State lost back-to-back games by double digits for the first time in 22 years. The defeat drops the team to a 6-3 record overall and 4-2 in the Big Ten. It is the first three-loss season for coach Ryan Day and the program since 2011.

Despite holding a 14-0 lead in the first quarter, Ohio State collapsed in the second half. A successful Oregon fake punt shifted momentum, allowing the Ducks to score 38 unanswered points. ESPN Research noted that Ohio State had not given up that many consecutive points at home since Wisconsin scored 42 without a reply in 1999.

Oregon controlled the middle of the game, gaining 295 yards while limiting Ohio State to 39. The Ducks extended their lead to 38-14 early in the fourth quarter on a 15-yard touchdown pass from Dylan Raiola to Brandon Smith. Ohio State managed only four consecutive second-half possessions that ended in turnovers on downs, failing to gain ground against the Oregon defense.

True freshman Luke Fahey started at quarterback for the second game in a row while Julian Sayin remained out with a throwing arm injury. Fahey passed for 360 yards, but more than half of that total came in the fourth quarter after the game was largely decided. With 1:06 left in the first half, Fahey threw an interception from Oregon's 41-yard line. The Ducks used that drive to take the lead on a 2-yard touchdown run by tight end Jamari Johnson on the final play of the half.

Star receiver Jeremiah Smith was left off the field for much of the second and third quarters. He had no targets in the second quarter and few in the third. On a fourth-and-2 play with 3:45 left in the third quarter, defensive tackle D'Antre Robinson intercepted a pass intended for Smith at the line of scrimmage. Day said the offense lacked rhythm, which put the defense in difficult spots. He stated that accountability starts with the coaching staff before moving to the players.

Day described the current situation as a storm unfamiliar to the program. He told his players they had to withstand pressure they were not used to. Even with wins in their final three regular-season games, the Buckeyes face slim odds of making the conference championship or an at-large playoff berth.