Talk about diabolical. Talk about risky. Talk about hindsight being 20-20. But don’t talk about Dan Lanning not making the right call.
Now, whether or not he ran a 12th player on the field on purpose late in the game against Ohio State is likely going to be debated for years to come. But let’s face it, whatever happened, it worked in the Oregon Ducks favor.
Did Dan Lanning Run 12 Men On the Field vs. Ohio State On Purpose?
We’ll probably never know the true answer to the question, but the facts and evidence mounting the claim that Lanning did is staggering. Let’s set the stage for you here.
It’s the fourth quarter. Oregon is leading, 32-31. The Buckeyes have the ball at the Oregon 43 with 10 seconds left. Entering a 3rd & 25 play on the edge of field goal range, Lanning and the Ducks called a timeout.
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The Ducks converged on the sidelines, knowing the game was in the balance of the next play or two plays. Needing to limit Ohio State’s offense to less than 10 yards to keep them out of field goal range, every yard and second became more and more crucial.
Ohio State ran a play from 10 personnel, with three wideouts to the right and one to the left. Buckeyes QB Will Howard dropped back and unleashed a quick pass to freshman sensation Jeremiah Smith, but it was easily defended and broken up by CB Jabbar Muhammad.
But then a penalty flag came out.
The penalty, on the Ducks, was for ‘illegal substitution’ or having 12 men on the field. The third down play would be replayed and the Ducks were penalized five yards. It took four seconds off the clock and gained Ohio State just five yards.
But it practically guaranteed that the Ducks’ defense could limit Ohio State as the 12th man on the field was an extra safety over the top, meaning each defensive back could play their receiver with the knowledge that their safeties were over the top.
If Lanning intentionally ran out the 12th man on the field, it was because he knew he could trust his veteran secondary to understand the assignment, know they had defenders over the top, and force the incompletion. At worst, they would give five yards — five yards that kept the Buckeyes out of field goal range — and take time off the clock.
That would then force either a field goal from over 55 yards or force a Hail Mary from Howard and Co. on offense.
Let’s just say Lanning did it intentionally. There is no rule against it as the play still must unfold and the defense must still stop the offense. But the odds stack up in Lanning’s favor tremendously with 12 players on the field.
And, after all, Lanning is quite the gambler. This time, big if true, he came up with the game-winning decision that involved intentionally penalizing his team and making one of the smarter moves we’ve seen in college football’s recent history.
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