Dan Lanning's latest comment shows he is well aware of Ohio State's biggest threat to beat Oregon
The closest that Oregon has come to losing a game so far this season was in Week 2 when they narrowly survived a matchup against Boise State. If it wasn't for two special teams touchdowns, Oregon wouldn't be entering this weekend's game against Ohio State as the No. 3 team in the country. Boise State was […]
The closest that Oregon has come to losing a game so far this season was in Week 2 when they narrowly survived a matchup against Boise State. If it wasn't for two special teams touchdowns, Oregon wouldn't be entering this weekend's game against Ohio State as the No. 3 team in the country.
Boise State was able to attack them like no other team has so far, and it was on the shoulders of stud running back Ashton Jeanty that they did so. Like in every game so far this season, Jeanty took over, running wild for 192 yards and three touchdowns.
There's no denying that he's the best back in the country, and he's squarely in the Heisman Trophy race with his video game-like numbers through five games.
This weekend, Oregon will have another tall task on the ground. Ohio State has the best 1-2 punch in college football with running backs Quinshon Judkins and TreVeyon Henderson who are leading Ohio State to 222.4 rushing yards per game, ninth-most in the country. Ducks head coach Dan Lanning knows that they will pose a major challenge.
"They're guys that have good size and speed and they don't go down on first contact. They're really good at using their weapons, as far as at the second level," Lanning said about Judkins and Henderson. "They do a good job with stiff arms, and they rarely, rarely go down on first contact. And they have really good vision, and they're patient when that opportunity window opens up. When they see a hole, they hit it, and they hit it with great speed."
Through five games, Henderson has 42 carries for 337 yards and four touchdowns, and Judkins has 60 carries for 468 yards and five touchdowns. Both of them are plenty prolific to be a stud on any team of the country, but the opportunity to have two running backs of such high quality means they can rotate and keep their legs fresh.
Ohio State's running game is a massive concern for the Ducks. Unfortunately, you can't just stop the run to win the game.
"I think it's similar to what I've talked about with our team. What we hope that we can be – you can't take away one thing knowing that something else is a strength as well, right?" Lanning said. "They're not really limited in what their strengths are. They're able to run the ball really well. They're able to throw it well. Talent at multiple positions. You know, their quarterback can run the ball as well. So there's a lot of things that present threat. You have to be sound in everything you come up with, you know, and be aware of any risk that you're going to be taking, and when is that risk worth it or not, and be able to play sound football."
When you start taking into account the wide receivers like Emeka Egbuka and Jeremiah Smith, Ohio State's offense is going to be a massive challenge. We know it, Lanning knows it. The defense will have to be up to the task.
Follow along all year for more Oregon Ducks coverage on A to Z Sports. You can find me on X @JonHelmkamp, as well as follow our main page @AtoZSportsNFL for all the latest news.
