For the record, I would have punted.
My opinion on the matter is worth what you paid for it, though. I’m not the one in a position to have my decisions criticized or praised by millions of people across the nation every weekend.
That’s why I understand what Dan Lanning and the Oregon Ducks were trying to do, going for it on 4th and 3 from the Washington 47 with 2:11 on the clock, looking to ice the game and pick up the statement win of his career. Instead, the Ducks turned the ball over on downs, allowed a go-ahead touchdown from Michael Penix, and lost the game after a 43-yard FG from Camden Lewis sailed wide right as time expired.
The end result? Oregon’s first loss of the season and a tougher road to the Pac-12 Championship going forward.
There are a lot of things to take away from this game, and a lot of little nitpicks to make if you care to. But there is also a lot to celebrate — the Ducks proved that they are incredibly elite in certain aspects of the game, and one of the best teams in the nation.
Let’s try and wade through what we just saw unfold over the past four hours and attempt to make sense of it.