For one quarter on Saturday, everything looked normal in Columbus. Ohio State led Oregon 14-0, the Horseshoe was rocking, and the Buckeyes seemed ready to shake off last week’s loss at USC. Then the Ducks scored 38 straight points. Oregon’s 41-28 win, led by backup quarterback Dylan Raiola, handed Ohio State back-to-back losses for the first time since 2011 and may have knocked one of the sport’s giants out of the College Football Playoff race in early November.
Quick answer: Oregon beat Ohio State 41-28 at Ohio Stadium on Saturday, November 7, 2026. Ohio State led 14-0 after the first quarter before Oregon scored 38 unanswered points. Dylan Raiola threw for 257 yards and two touchdowns, and Dierre Hill Jr. ran for two scores. Both teams are now 6-3 (4-2 Big Ten). The next CFP rankings come out Tuesday, November 10, at 9 p.m. ET.
Oregon vs Ohio State: how the comeback happened
Ohio State came out fast. Running back Bo Jackson scored twice on the ground, from 16 and 8 yards, and the Buckeyes led 14-0 late in the first quarter in front of 103,551 fans. From there, Oregon scored on four of its next five drives and the game turned completely.
The second-quarter swing
Gage Hurych’s 33-yard field goal got the Ducks on the board. Then Dan Lanning rolled the dice. Facing fourth-and-9, Oregon ran a fake punt, with Teitum Tuioti finding Matayo Uiagalelei for a 30-yard gain. Six plays later, Dierre Hill Jr. punched in a 9-yard touchdown run.
The biggest blow came in the final minute and a half of the half. Devin Jackson intercepted Ohio State freshman quarterback Luke Fahey at the Oregon 41, and the Ducks drove for tight end Jamari Johnson’s 2-yard touchdown run on the last play of the half. Oregon scored twice in the final 1:25 to go into the locker room ahead 17-14.
The third-quarter knockout
Early in the third quarter, Hill broke loose for a 48-yard touchdown run to make it 24-14. Raiola then added two touchdown passes, including an 11-yard score to Dakorien Moore, and by the time the run ended Oregon had scored 38 points in a row. Ohio State added two late touchdowns in the fourth quarter, but the result was never in doubt.
Final score and key stats
| Team | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | Final |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oregon | 0 | 17 | 14 | 10 | 41 |
| Ohio State | 14 | 0 | 0 | 14 | 28 |
| Stat | Oregon | Ohio State |
|---|---|---|
| Total yards | 395 | 413 |
| Passing yards | 287 | 360 |
| Rushing yards | 108 | 53 |
| Turnovers | 0 | 1 (interception) |
| Record after game | 6-3 (4-2 Big Ten) | 6-3 (4-2 Big Ten) |
Ohio State actually out-gained Oregon, but the interception, the fake punt and a running game that managed just 53 yards decided it. Oregon turned the ball over zero times.
Standout players
| Player | Team | Line |
|---|---|---|
| Dylan Raiola, QB | Oregon | 25 of 40, 257 yards, 2 TD passes |
| Dierre Hill Jr., RB | Oregon | 13 carries, 75 yards, 2 TD (including a 48-yarder) |
| Dakorien Moore, WR | Oregon | 7 catches, 56 yards, 1 TD |
| Luke Fahey, QB | Ohio State | 36 of 50, 360 yards, 1 INT |
| Jeremiah Smith, WR | Ohio State | 7 catches, 133 yards, 1 TD |
| Bo Jackson, RB | Ohio State | 11 carries, 48 yards, 2 TD |
Why Oregon vs Ohio State is trending
“Oregon vs ohio state” pulled in more than 500,000 Google searches in the US within a day, putting it among the top trends of the weekend alongside Michigan State vs Michigan and Miami vs Notre Dame. The reason is simple: this was supposed to be a heavyweight fight between two preseason national title contenders, and it turned into one of the most surprising results of the season.
Both programs have had to change quarterbacks. Oregon’s Dante Moore is out for the rest of the season after a concussion against USC, according to Yahoo Sports, which put Raiola in charge. Ohio State lost Julian Sayin, a 2025 Heisman finalist, to a serious injury to his throwing arm in October. He is out indefinitely, and true freshman Luke Fahey was making only his second start.
What the loss means for Ohio State
The numbers behind this defeat are rare for the Buckeyes:
- It is Ohio State’s second straight loss, after a 30-18 defeat at USC, and the first time it has lost back-to-back games since 2011.
- It is the first three-loss regular season of Ryan Day’s eight years as head coach.
- It ended a 12-game home winning streak, the longest active run in the Big Ten, according to Yahoo Sports.
- ESPN noted the Buckeyes are in danger of falling out of the AP Top 25 for the first time since 2011.
Day did not hide his frustration. “Beyond disappointed,” he said afterwards, calling the season “not someplace we thought we’d be.” He told his players the program must “weather this storm,” and said “there needs to be accountability for all of it.” He defended his young quarterback: “The kid is trying his tail off.”
Ohio State was No. 12 in the first CFP rankings on November 3. With three losses, ESPN said the Buckeyes now face long odds to earn an at-large playoff spot or reach the Big Ten Championship Game, even if they win their last three games.
What it means for Oregon
For Oregon, this was a statement. The Ducks were No. 23 in the first CFP rankings at 5-3 and needed a signature win to stay relevant. Winning by 13 in Columbus with a backup quarterback is exactly that. “A lot of credit to our players for really not flinching, not blinking when you’re down 14, and then just keep fighting,” Lanning said.
Oregon’s path is still narrow with three losses, but its remaining schedule offers more chances to impress, starting with Michigan at Autzen Stadium next Saturday. For more on how the committee approaches teams like these, see our guide to the first CFP rankings of 2026.
What’s next
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| Tuesday, November 10 (9-9:30 p.m. ET) | Second CFP rankings released on ESPN |
| Saturday, November 14 | Michigan at Oregon (Autzen Stadium) |
| Saturday, November 14 | Northwestern at Ohio State (Ohio Stadium) |
| Sunday, December 6 | Final CFP rankings and playoff field revealed |
Expect Oregon to climb and Ohio State to slide when the committee reveals its second top 25 on Tuesday night. How far the Buckeyes fall will show whether the committee still sees them as a playoff contender at all.
Frequently asked questions
What was the Oregon vs Ohio State score?
Oregon won 41-28 at Ohio Stadium in Columbus on Saturday, November 7, 2026. Ohio State led 14-0 after one quarter.
Who played quarterback for Oregon?
Dylan Raiola started in place of Dante Moore, who is out for the season after a concussion. Raiola completed 25 of 40 passes for 257 yards and two touchdowns.
Is Ohio State out of the College Football Playoff?
Not mathematically, but the Buckeyes are 6-3 and ESPN says they face long odds for an at-large bid or a Big Ten title game spot. The committee’s view will become clearer on Tuesday, November 10.
When was the last time Ohio State lost three regular-season games?
It is the first time in Ryan Day’s eight seasons as head coach and the first season with three or more losses for the program since 2011.
Who do Oregon and Ohio State play next?
Oregon hosts Michigan and Ohio State hosts Northwestern on Saturday, November 14.
Sources: ESPN, Yahoo Sports, FreePlays box score, NCAA.com, Google Trends.
