If you were like me and woke up to some bad news about Justin Flow and Kywan Thibodaux's situation, you probably assumed it was going to be a long day for Oregon football.
This wasn't the case at all because Oregon went to the locker room with a lead, shocking just about everyone outside Eugene — and even some in Eugene.
CJ Wordell started the second half with a 77-yard touchdown run on the third down in the first drive of the Duck, putting Ohio State on the ropes to lead 21-7. The Buckeyes will respond quickly with a touchdown pass of their own. However, it didn't take long for the Ducks to make it to a 14-point game again.
The game was moved 7–14 points in a row in the second half before Veron McKinley picked up a big pass late to put the game on the ice.
What did we learn from this big reversal in Oregon?
3. Defense played a grueling game without Flow, Thibodaux
Did the defense of the ducks play their best? off course not. Although he led some Ryan Day era downs in the first half, CJ Stroud was able to sit back and keep the defense apart throughout the afternoon, which led to his day through the air.
But you have to realize how impressive this performance against an explosive offense on the street really is without two of the best players, including the No. 1 player in college football.
No Justin Flow who was Oregon's best defender a week ago and no Kyvan Thibodaux, considered college football's best player and top NFL draft prospect, didn't look like it was headed to an ugly loss in Columbus. But the defense stepped in and captured Ohio State. No points in the first quarter and just seven in the first half.
Veron McKinley made the biggest play of the game when the secondary worked all afternoon (lack of pressure killed him) and it put up a stellar performance.