Oregon’s Dan Lanning slammed for aggressive tactics in blowout 84-0 win: ‘Disgrace’
Oregon chose to go all Cobra Kai on Portland State, showing the Big Sky school no mercy during their clash Friday night and bringing the ire of fans with it.
The No. 21-ranked Ducks swept the leg on the Vikings with an 84-0 thrashing at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Oregon.
Oregon, off to an otherwise rough start to the season after beginning the year ranked No. 2, led 28-0 a little more than halfway through the first quarter.
The stats were gaudy for Oregon, which was coming off an upset loss to Oklahoma State.
The Ducks (2-1) produced 726 yards of total offense to Portland State’s 103 – only two of which were on the ground.
Oregon had 43 first downs compared to their opponent’s two, punted just once and converted both of their fourth-down tries.
The ducks possessed the ball for 40 minutes to just about 20 for the Vikings.
To add insult to injury, Oregon chose not to kneel to run out the close to end the game while up 77-0.
Instead, coach Dan Lanning did his best John Kresse impression when Brandon Smith rushed for a 2-yard score with just 28 seconds left in the game.
Portland State, which came in giving up an average of 43.6 points per game, is now 0-4.
Lanning’s decision to play the game that way sparked plenty of outrage from fans after the win get a modern program record for points scored outside of a 97-0 win over Willamette in 1916.
“Oregon was running no-huddle and throwing the ball while up 70 points on Portland State,” X user @realfbllliason wrote. “Absolutely classless. They should be embarrassed.”
Added @JkroegerJT: “Oregon football is a disgrace. Up 70-0 passing for touchdowns. On this drive 77-0 all they did is pass. Bad sportsmanship. They got smoked by Oklahoma State and now running it up on Portland State.”
Other went right after Lanning.
“If you are an Oregon fan you should reconsider after watching them tonight, This is flat out disgusting,” @GamblerDream posted. “You are rushing to the line up 77 points – using 10 seconds on a 40 second play – clock? Is this real life? Dan Lansing (sic) is a sad, sad man.”
Added @BuckeyeNatty: “Dan Lanning tough guy of the year award. TD against PORTLAND STATE with 29 seconds left.”
Lanning acknowledged the talent discrepancy between the two teams in his postgame press conference.
“Obviously, the result of this game is somewhat to be expected, he said. “We have a better team. No disrespect to Portland State, but that’s the way it should look when you execute the way we’re supposed to execute.”