No. 23 Oregon beat No. 12 Ohio State 41-28 on Saturday, November 7, 2026, at Ohio Stadium in Columbus. Ohio State led 14-0 after the first quarter, then Oregon scored 38 straight points and took full control of the game. Oregon led 17-14 at halftime and 31-14 after three quarters. The win left both teams at 6-3, put Oregon back in the playoff race, and all but ended Ohio State’s playoff hopes. Ohio State started freshman quarterback Luke Fahey because starter Julian Sayin is out indefinitely with an arm injury.
Quick Facts
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Final score | No. 23 Oregon 41, No. 12 Ohio State 28 |
| Date | Saturday, November 7, 2026 |
| Location | Ohio Stadium, Columbus |
| First quarter | Ohio State 14, Oregon 0 |
| Second quarter | Oregon 17, Ohio State 0 |
| Third quarter | Oregon 14, Ohio State 0 |
| Fourth quarter | Ohio State 14, Oregon 10 |
| Halftime score | Oregon 17, Ohio State 14 |
| Score after three quarters | Oregon 31, Ohio State 14 |
| Oregon scoring run | 38 straight points after trailing 14-0 |
| Turning point | An Oregon fake punt in the second quarter |
| Ohio State quarterback | Freshman Luke Fahey, starting for injured Julian Sayin |
| Records after the game | Both teams 6-3 |
| Oregon in Big Ten play | 4-2 |
How Ohio State Lost a 14-0 Lead
The start gave Ohio State fans every reason to feel good. The Buckeyes scored twice in the first quarter and built a 14-0 lead behind two touchdowns from running back Bo Jackson. The home crowd was loud, the offense looked sharp, and Oregon had no points on the board. For a team playing with a freshman quarterback, that kind of start can settle nerves and set the tone for the rest of the afternoon. Ohio State had gained 174 yards in the first quarter, and the game looked like it was moving in the direction the home team wanted.
That feeling did not last. Oregon did not panic after falling behind by two touchdowns. The Ducks stayed with their plan, kept playing with confidence, and found a way to change the game in the second quarter. The lead that had looked so safe after 15 minutes was gone by halftime. Ohio State went from leading 14-0 to trailing 17-14, and the shift changed the mood inside Ohio Stadium.
The size of the run also puts the result in a wider context. According to ESPN Insights, Oregon’s 38-0 scoring run was the highest scoring run against Ohio State at home since 1999. That fact shows how rare this kind of collapse has been in Columbus. Ohio State has built its home record on fast starts and the ability to answer when an opponent scores. On this day, the answer never came during the long stretch when Oregon was scoring.
The Second Quarter Changed Everything
The second quarter was where Oregon took over. The turning point was an Oregon fake punt in the second quarter. Coach Dan Lanning gambled early and often, and that call was the clearest sign of how Oregon planned to play. A fake punt is a risk. If it fails, the other team gets the ball in good field position. If it works, it keeps a drive alive and sends a message that the visiting team is not afraid. On this day, the gamble worked, and it helped Oregon take control.
The numbers from the second quarter show how complete the change was. Oregon outgained Ohio State 178-17 in the second quarter. Ohio State managed only 17 total yards and two first downs across 12 plays in that quarter after gaining 174 yards in the first. That is a sharp drop, and it shows how much the game changed in a short time. Ohio State went from moving the ball with ease to struggling to gain any ground at all.
Oregon Kept Pulling Away in the Second Half
Oregon did not slow down after halftime. The Ducks scored 14 points in the third quarter and extended the lead to 31-14 after three quarters. That stretch made the task much harder for Ohio State. A three-point halftime deficit is easy to chase. A 17-point deficit after three quarters is a different problem, especially for a team starting a freshman quarterback and playing from behind.
Early in the third quarter, Dierre Hill Jr. broke free for a 48-yard touchdown. A run of that length changes a drive in one play and shows that the defense is not able to stop the big play. Oregon followed that with another big moment when Dakorien Moore caught a one-handed touchdown pass from Dylan Raiola. A one-handed catch takes skill, focus, and trust between the quarterback and the receiver, and it gave Oregon another touchdown and more distance on the scoreboard.
Oregon kicker Gage Hurych hit a 40-yard field goal to make it 41-22. The Ducks scored 17 in the second quarter, 14 in the third, and 10 in the fourth. Ohio State scored 14 in the first, none in the second or third, and 14 in the fourth. That split shows where the game was won and lost.
What the Loss Means for Ohio State
This loss hurts Ohio State for more than one reason. The Buckeyes entered the game ranked No. 12 in the first College Football Playoff rankings. The loss all but ends their playoff hopes. A team can recover from one loss in a long season, but a second straight loss at this stage of the year, with a third loss already on the record, leaves very little room to climb back into the playoff picture. Ohio State is now 6-3, and the path back is no longer in its own hands.
This is Ohio State’s first three-loss regular season since 2011. It is also the first time Ohio State has lost back-to-back games since 2011. The Buckeyes are now 6-5 in their last 11 games.
The home record makes the result even more striking. Ohio State was 50-3 at home under coach Ryan Day before this game. That record shows how hard it has been to win in Columbus in recent years. Oregon did what very few visiting teams have done. The Ducks did not just win at Ohio Stadium. They won by 13 points after trailing by 14, and they turned a loud home crowd quiet for long stretches.
The quarterback situation adds to the problem. Ohio State started freshman quarterback Luke Fahey because starter Julian Sayin is out indefinitely with an arm injury. Ohio State is now 0-2 with Fahey as starter, after a 30-18 loss to USC on October 31. A freshman quarterback can grow with time and experience, but he is also learning on the job in big games against strong teams. The result also landed on a busy Saturday across college football, and readers following other ranked teams can catch up on how Texas beat Missouri 34-20 behind Arch Manning in the game covered at Texas beats Missouri 34-20, Arch Manning leads the win on November 7.
What the Win Means for Oregon
For Oregon, this win changes the season in a clear way. Oregon is 4-2 in Big Ten play and back in the playoff race. A road win against a ranked Ohio State team is the kind of result that can lift a team in the rankings and give it belief for the rest of the season. Oregon did not win by luck or by a late break. The Ducks won by scoring 38 straight points, by taking control in the second quarter, and by keeping that control through the third and fourth quarters.
The win also shows the value of the approach taken by Dan Lanning. He gambled early and often, and his team played with the same bold mindset. The fake punt in the second quarter was the most visible example, but the whole game showed a team that was willing to attack. Oregon did not play safe after falling behind 14-0.
The game also showed Oregon’s ability to respond to a bad start. Falling behind 14-0 on the road could have led to a long day. Instead, Oregon found different ways to score, with a long run, a one-handed catch, and a field goal among the key plays. That range shows a team that can hurt an opponent in more than one way. Florida State also won on the road on Saturday, as readers can see in the report on Florida State beats Boston College 31-24 in a road win on November 7, but the scale of Oregon’s comeback makes this win stand out.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the game between Oregon and Ohio State on November 7, 2026?
No. 23 Oregon beat No. 12 Ohio State 41-28 at Ohio Stadium in Columbus. Ohio State led 14-0 after the first quarter, then Oregon scored 38 straight points.
What was the turning point in the Oregon win over Ohio State?
The turning point was an Oregon fake punt in the second quarter. Oregon outgained Ohio State 178-17 in that quarter, and Ohio State managed only 17 total yards and two first downs across 12 plays.
Why did Ohio State start freshman quarterback Luke Fahey?
Ohio State started Fahey because starter Julian Sayin is out indefinitely with an arm injury. Ohio State is 0-2 with Fahey as starter, after a 30-18 loss to USC on October 31. Fahey threw a late 13-yard touchdown pass to Jeremiah Smith in the Oregon game.
What does the loss mean for Ohio State’s playoff hopes?
The loss all but ends Ohio State’s playoff hopes. Ohio State entered the game ranked No. 12 in the first College Football Playoff rankings. The Buckeyes are now 6-3, with their first three-loss regular season since 2011 and their first back-to-back losses since 2011. Oregon, also 6-3 and 4-2 in Big Ten play, is back in the playoff race.
Sources
- [Columbus Dispatch: Ohio State football live scores, stats, highlights](
- [theScore: Oregon scores 38 straight to embarrass Ohio State](
- [Sporting News: Ohio State CFP hopes fade after loss to Oregon](
Final Thoughts
Oregon’s 41-28 win over Ohio State will be remembered for the comeback, the bold coaching, and the long scoring run that turned the game around. Ohio State started fast, led 14-0, and looked in control. Then Oregon scored 38 straight points, took the lead before halftime, and never gave it back.
For Ohio State, the final score is only part of the story. The Buckeyes are 6-3, out of the playoff race in practical terms, and dealing with a freshman quarterback while their starter is out indefinitely with an arm injury. For Oregon, the win is a clear step forward. The Ducks are 6-3, 4-2 in Big Ten play, and back in the playoff race after a road win that few teams manage in Columbus. Rivalry games also shaped the weekend, including the Holy War result covered in the report on Utah beats BYU 28-20 in the Holy War on November 7.
