Verdell, No. 12 Oregon stun No. 3 Ohio State

3 years ago 370

COLUMBUS, Ohio — C.J. Verdell ran for 161 yards and had 3 touchdowns arsenic shorthanded No. 12 Oregon exploited a porous Ohio State defence to upset the No. 3 Buckeyes 35-28 for their archetypal regular-season nonaccomplishment successful astir 3 years.

Ohio State (1-1, 1-0 Big Ten) ne'er led the crippled it was favored to triumph by 14 1/2 points contempt gaudy numbers from freshman backmost C.J. Stroud (Rancho Cucamonga). Its beforehand 7 struggled to incorporate Verdell, power the borderline and get aft Ducks backmost Anthony Brown successful front.

“They rapidly adapted and conscionable played with grit and toughness, knowing this was going to beryllium a slugfest,” Oregon manager Mario Cristobal said.

The Ducks (2-0, 2-0 Pac-12) were without prima antiaircraft extremity Kayvon Thibodeaux (Oaks Christian) and linebacker Justin Flowe (Upland).

The Buckeyes had a accidental to necktie it precocious aft pulling wrong a touchdown with 7:55 left. But erstwhile they got the shot again, Stroud, who passed for 472 yards and 3 touchdowns, took his archetypal sack of the time and past was intercepted by Verone McKinley III connected a desperation sideline walk connected third-and-18 astatine the Oregon 35 with 2:50 to spell successful beforehand of a stunned assemblage of much than 100,000.

Stroud, trying to amusement helium is simply a worthy heir to Justin Fields, apt volition beryllium fine. It’s the Ohio State defence that needs work.

Twice successful the archetypal fractional Verdell scurried astir the near extremity — 1 of them was a transportation walk connected fourth-and-1 — and went untouched into the extremity portion from 14 yards out. Travis Dye exploited the near broadside again, moving from 5 yards retired to springiness the Ducks a 28-14 third-quarter lead.

Three plays into the 2nd half, Verdell blasted done the mediate untouched and outran antiaircraft backs for a 77-yard score. He went near again for a 7-yard summation and a archetypal down successful the 4th quarter, 1 play earlier Brown connected with Moliki Matavao for a 14-yard touchdown to springiness the Ducks a 35-21 pb with 12:46 left.

Stroud, successful his 2nd start, passed for the second-most yards successful Ohio State history, coming up 15 abbreviated of Dwayne Haskins Jr.’s 499 against Northwestern successful 2018.

Stroud’s occurrence was partially owed to immoderate superb catches by receivers Chris Olave, Garrett Wilson and Jaxson Smith-Njigba. He was 33 for 54 and connected for 2 touchdowns with Smith-Njigba and different with Wilson.

It was third-year Ohio State manager Ryan Day’s archetypal nonaccomplishment successful the regular season. The Buckeyes’ past nonaccomplishment successful the regular play came astatine Purdue successful October 2018 nether Urban Meyer.

“This is not fatal,” Day said. “Certainly, it hurts.”

THE TAKEAWAY

Oregon: The Ducks were amended than they showed successful their opener erstwhile they struggled with Fresno State. Brown made astute decisions; the 5-foot-8, 211-pound Verdell, who was plagued by injuries the past 2 seasons, had a stellar day; and the O-line controlled the enactment of scrimmage.

Ohio State: Stroud is adept astatine uncovering his prima receivers and making throws but is inactive getting comfy with decision-making. He could beryllium the adjacent violative prima for the Buckeyes successful a agelong line. But the defence needs improvement, particularly linebackers. This nonaccomplishment is squarely connected their shoulders.