Oregon Ducks’ 2024 Season Reflections
Oregon had a remarkable 2024 season, highlighted by appearances in the Rose Bowl, the Big Ten Championship, and the College Football playoffs. They won their first 13 games, but their season took a nosedive with a 41-21 loss against Ohio State in the Rose Bowl. Ohio State jumped ahead with a 34-0 lead by the second quarter and maintained their dominance through the game.
At Big Ten Media Day on Wednesday, Oregon head coach Dan Lanning shared his thoughts on that defeat. He acknowledged the impressive performance of Ohio State’s head coach Ryan Day and his team, noting that while he hasn’t forgotten the loss, he is determined to address the mistakes that led to such an unexpected end on such a grand stage in Pasadena.
“Losses always linger longer than victories. There’s much to learn from it. That doesn’t diminish what we achieved overall, but we faced a formidable opponent,” Lanning remarked. “Last year, Coach Day did a remarkable job leading his team. There are areas where I believe we could have performed better; we didn’t play our best football.”
While he didn’t use the long break before the playoffs as an excuse, Lanning pointed out that Oregon went 25 days without a game prior to the loss. He shared his opinion, saying, “I enjoy knocking off the rust once I step back on the field,” describing the lengthy hiatus as something he found a bit absurd.
During the press conference, he primarily focused on last year’s successes—like going undefeated in Big Ten regular-season play and winning the Big Ten Championship—but he emphasized wanting to “double down” on Oregon’s strategy and strive for an even better future.
“What do we need to improve? There are always lessons to learn, but they don’t necessarily dictate what’s to come,” Lanning said.
Lanning responded to numerous questions about the loss to Ohio, but his primary focus is on moving forward with the program. He recognized both the successes and challenges from last season that could shape Oregon’s future.
“We have new teams and fresh challenges. What occurred last year doesn’t impact what’s ahead,” he stated. “We’re excited to start anew, to return to the drawing board, and figure out how to mix everything into a winning recipe.”
As Oregon gears up for the new season, they’re seen as underdogs in the Big Ten. They were ranked third in a preseason poll, trailing behind Pennsylvania in first and Ohio in second. Lanning seems aware of the conversation surrounding those two teams, mentioning to ESPN’s Heather Dinnich, “I’m not concerned about being the under-the-radar team.”
If Oregon manages to surprise everyone and make another playoff run, it will be with a new starting quarterback, Dante Moore. Last season, they had Dilongabriel, a Heisman finalist. Now, the responsibility lies with Moore, who transferred to Oregon last season after starting five games at UCLA in 2023, where he threw for 1,659 yards, notching 11 touchdowns while also having nine interceptions with a 54.8 completion rate.
“What stands out about Dante is that I’m not aiming for a quick fix,” Lanning explained. “He has an opportunity in front of him, and rather than rushing, he can learn from experiences—both on and off the field—as he evolves over time.”
This season may not seem like a prime time for Oregon to chase a title again, yet narratives from outsiders could provide the motivation needed for success in 2025.
