Ohio State lost its first Big Ten road game against the Oregon Ducks in Eugene, Oregon on Saturday night as quarterback Will Howard’s last second run and slide killed the clock and gave Oregon a 32-31 home win.
The play sealed Ohio State’s first loss of the year and first Big Ten Conference loss as the Buckeyes were outgained 496 to 467 on the West Coast.
After the game, it was revealed that Day’s loss marked the first time the Buckeyes have lost three straight games to opponents ranked in the Top 25 of the Associated Press poll since former Buckeyes coach Jim Tressel did it from 2008 to 2009 .
Howard’s slide was eerily reminiscent of the Buckeyes’ 42-41 loss in December 2022 to the eventual national champion Georgia Bulldogs as Day’s team had a golden opportunity to secure a last second win on the legs of its kicker.
The Buckeyes still have plenty of season left, but the Big Ten suddenly seems deeper and stronger with the additions of Oregon, USC, Washington and UCLA shifting competitive balances while igniting new rivalries and outcomes.