Tag: dan lanning

How Oregon used Wisconsin’s ‘Jump Around’ tradition as late-game motivation in narrow win

How Oregon used Wisconsin’s ‘Jump Around’ tradition as late-game motivation in narrow win

Oregon head coach Dan Lanning used an unorthodox approach in motivating his team for its game against Wisconsin at Camp Randall Stadium on Nov. 16.

Throughout the Ducks’ week of preparation, Lanning routinely played House of Pain’s ‘Jump Around’ to pump up his team. In Oregon’s team meeting to begin the week, Lanning bluntly opened with a message surrounding how his team should manage the moment.

“They think it will evoke a response from you, right,” Lanning asked his players. “In this game, and throughout this week, you’re going to hear this song, and it’s going to release dopamine in your mind. It’s gonna tell you that you are hungry to go eat. Whenever we hear this, I want our temperature to change. I want the temperature of the room to change. When you hear it at practice, I want you to say to yourselves, **** is about to get serious.”

That type of assessment is something Lanning has fully embraced while in Eugene, Oregon. The former defensive coordinator and linebackers coach at Georgia is one of the best motivators across the college football landscape.

That intensity also appears to be working with this version of the Ducks.

“I don’t want you to be relaxed in that moment,” Lanning said. “I want you to start jumping around. I want you guys to enjoy the moment. When it shows up, take advantage of it. Turn that switch in your mind.”

That’s exactly what Oregon’s entire squad did at Camp Randall. When the student section race ended and the House of Pain’s tune began, players could be seen jubilant on the sidelines.

Oregon faced a 4th-and-9 from Wisconsin’s 41-yard-line trailing 13-6 during the quarter break. The Ducks outscored the Badgers 10-0 from there on out, starting with a critical fourth-down conversion on the first play of the quarter.

In a tough atmosphere, the Ducks’ mentality and ability to capitalize late in the contest proved the difference.

Oregon now looks like they will enter the College Football Playoff as the No. 1 seed. The Badgers, meanwhile, are in dire need of a reboot after firing offensive coordinator Phil Longo.

The Badgers’ first chance for a forward step comes on Saturday at Nebraska.

Dan Lanning weaponized the Jump Around dance to lead Oregon to beat Wisconsin

Oregon was prepared to hear Jump Around and it REALLY paid off.

Oregon football head coach Dan Lanning has continued to embarrass his opponents this season, now adding Wisconsin as a new target.

During the latest episode of “Ducks vs Them” released on Tuesday, fans got an inside look at how Lanning was able to rally Oregon during a comeback road victory against the Badgers on Saturday.

One of the main strategies was to use the song “Jump Around” as a primary motivator. Camp Randall Stadium, where Wisconsin plays home football games, has that song play between the third and fourth quarter like how the Ducks have “Shout” at Autzen Stadium in Eugene.

Lanning spoke to his players and said that “everybody know what time it is” when that “Jump Around” song comes on.

The video then took fans behind-the-scenes to practice on Monday, when Lanning walked into a team meeting blasting “Jump Around” by House of Pain.

Relating it back to Pavlov’s dog, while showing videos of Wisconsin fans dancing to the song, he said when when Wisconsin plays this song, it is meant to evoke a response from the opposing players. Lanning agreed, but he wanted to control what message it sent.

“In this game and throughout this week, you are going to hear this song. It’s going to release dopamine in your mind. It’s going to tell you that you’re hungry to go win. Whenever we hear this, I want our temperature to change. I want the temperature in the room to change. When we hear it at practice, it’s about to get serious. When that song comes on at practice, I want you to reset your mind for what you’re about to do.”

Fans then saw Oregon players dancing to “Jump Around” during practices before the game.

The coach wanted his players to “enjoy the moment” when it shows up and to “take advantage” of it. The video then cuts to the Ducks enjoying themselves on the field when “Jump Around” actually plays between the third and fourth quarter.

Not only did the players dance but The Duck mascot also jumped around on a pogo stick.

Oregon then went for it on fourth down as Dillon Gabriel competed a very difficult pass to tight end Terrance Ferguson.

The fourth quarter belonged to the Ducks, who looked like the far better team following this sudden tonal change. Oregon eventually secured a pick to win the game with a much-needed interception by Matayo Uiagalelei.

Back in the locker room, Lanning chose to “crank that song” and play “Jump Around” to celebrate the win.

During postgame press conferences, several from the Ducks (including Lanning) explained their reasoning for the “Jump Around” celebration.

This was incredibly clever maneuvering from Lanning, who has shown boldness and creativity during Oregon’s first season in a new conference.

Oregon remains undefeated with one game left in the regular season and has earned a berth in the Big Ten Football Championship Game before the next College Football Playoff.

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Photo Gallery: Ducks sneak out of Camp Randall with a close win

Photo Gallery: Ducks weasel out of Camp Randall with a close win to keep their perfect season alive.

It certainly wasn’t drawn up this way, but no one can argue with the end result.

The Oregon Ducks football team strolled into Camp Randall Stadium and quickly found themselves in a dogfight with the Wisconsin Badgers. The game was tight throughout, but the Ducks made just enough plays to escape with a 16-13 victory, keeping their perfect season alive.

They’re now 11-0 on the year and are looking forward to a much-needed bye week after playing eight straight games without a break. Oregon doesn’t play until Nov. 30 when Washington comes calling to Autzen Stadium for the regular season finale.

Oregon can also heal up a bit before the playoffs as well. Tez Johnson, Jordan Burch and Marcus Harper II were all out for this Wisconsin matchup. No telling what the extra week of rest will do as there is no guarantee those injuries will heal up in time for Washington, but the bye week can only help those chances.

Here are the best photos from Oregon’s close victory at Wisconsin.

WATCH: The play that decided Oregon’s win over Wisconsin

WATCH: The play that decided Oregon’s win over Wisconsin

The Wisconsin Badgers nearly clinched an upset win over No. 1 Oregon on Saturday night. Unfortunately, the Ducks executed when it mattered most.

The Badgers, who had lost two straight games to Big Ten opponents, were on the precipice of their first signature win of the 2024 campaign.

The team led 13-6 at the start of the fourth quarter. Oregon faced a fourth-and-nine at the Badgers’ 41-yard line, where a defensive stop could become the game’s defining moment.

Instead, Oregon registered that defining moment.

Ducks quarterback Dillon Gabriel scrambled to the left, fired off his left foot and hit tight end Terrance Ferguson through heavy traffic. With the catch, the Ducks completed the first down and generated momentum for a touchdown drive.

From that point on, UW was outmatched. The Badgers failed to score for the remainder of the contest, and Oregon left with a 16-13 win.

A win for Luke Fickell’s program could have shifted the Badgers’ momentum for the rest of the 2024 season. Now, the team sits at 5-5 entering a road test against Nebraska next weekend.

Jordan James’ angry running makes him the Ducks Wire Player of the Game

Oregon Ducks RB Jordan James’ angry running earns him the Ducks Wire Player of the Game against Wisconsin.

Things looked bleak for a while in the Oregon Ducks Week 12 matchup with the Wisconsin Badgers, but ultimately, the Ducks came out on top, winning 16-13. Oregon is now 11-0, but without running back Jordan James, the Ducks may not still be undefeated.

On a night when offense came at a premium for both teams, James was electric. The junior RB finished with 121 rushing yards on 25 carries (4.8 YPC), 25 receiving yards on two catches, and he scored the Ducks’ only touchdown. James also eclipsed 1,000 season rushing yards in Saturday’s game, the first time he’s done so in his career.

James was playing through an injury this Saturday, after after getting dinged up last week against Maryland. But even below full capacity, James was able to carry the Ducks to a win. James runs angry, and it makes him a powerful back. But as strong as he is, James is just as fast. That mix of skills has served him well throughout his career, and this week, an injury wasn’t enough to prevent James from playing like his typical self.

This game, and this win, can be boiled down to one drive. After Oregon was fortunate enough to hold Wisconsin to a field goal after a long third-quarter series, the Ducks started their march inside the 20-yard line — down 13-6 with an offense running on nothing. On that drive, James was given a much heavier dose of the football, and he finished the drive with 38 yards. His final touch was an 11-yard dash to the pylon which tied the game 13-13.

Oregon finished the game with 354 total yards, 146 of which came from James (41.2%). That’s a staggering statistic, but it still doesn’t encapsulate James’ full impact. Oregon’s offense struggled for so long because the ball wasn’t in James’ hands enough, and once Will Stein committed to James as the leader on offense, the Ducks instantly began to move the football. Without James’s impact, the Ducks would’ve lost.

The Ducks are looking forward to a much-needed bye week before their rivalry week matchup against Washington. After not looking great against Maryland, the Ducks looked flat and had a major scare. With some rest, Oregon will, hopefully, be better prepared for Washington and the pending postseason.

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RECAP: Wisconsin’s upset bid falls short as Badgers fall to No. 1 Oregon 16-13

RECAP: Wisconsin’s upset bid falls short as Badgers fall to No. 1 Oregon 16-13

Wisconsin came within a fourth-quarter drive of a program-defining upset on Saturday night. The team’s upset bid fell just short, as the No. 1-ranked Oregon Ducks held on for a 16-13 win.

The Badgers tested the Ducks from the opening kick. Oregon started the game slow with a field goal and red-zone interception in its first two drives. Wisconsin struggled to find much offense through that time and entered the second quarter trailing just 6-0. The stat sheet showed a lopsided first frame, though the Badgers were still hanging tough on the scoreboard.

Wisconsin then found its form in the second frame. A strong defensive effort kept that margin at 6-0 as the Badgers finally found space for RB Tawee Walker. Braedyn Locke found WR Will Pauling for a one-yard touchdown in the quarter’s closing minutes, building a surprising 10-6 halftime lead.

Luke Fickell’s team has played strong first halves against top teams all season. Those results have flipped after the break, leading to final margins of 42-10 vs Alabama, 38-21 vs USC and 28-13 vs Penn State.

Saturday’s contest was different. Wisconsin built its margin to 13-6 during a strong third quarter. The team found more and more running room as the game continued, putting the top-ranked Ducks squarely on the ropes.

Oregon faced a 4th-and-9 deep in Wisconsin territory entering the final frame, a defensive stop that could’ve defined Wisconsin’s upset victory.

Instead, Oregon’s playmakers decided the game down the stretch.

QB Dillon Gabriel found top tight end Terrance Ferguson on a tight-window throw on that 4th-and-9. Oregon RB Jordan James scored a few plays later, notching the score at 13 apiece.

Wisconsin then had several opportunities to regain control on offense and capitalize on the terrific opportunity. Those final drives were punt, punt, turnover on downs and a game-clinching interception. Oregon’s defense took over with the game in the balance.

Oregon escapes Wisconsin with a 16-13 victory, improving to 11-0 on the season and 8-0 in Big Ten play. The Ducks clinch a Big Ten title game appearance with the win.

Wisconsin drops to 5-5 on the season and 3-4 in Big Ten play with the loss. The Badgers must win one of their two closing games at Nebraska and vs. Minnesota to clinch bowl eligibility.

The Badgers put forth an encouraging effort after their disastrous loss at Iowa in Week 10. The sentiment will still reflect a missed opportunity after having the No. 1 team in the sport on the doorstep of defeat.

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3 keys to victory for the Oregon Ducks against Wisconsin

Three keys for the Oregon Ducks to beat the Wisconsin Badgers in Week 12 of the college football season.

The Oregon Ducks have two games left on their regular-season schedule, and the Ducks are in position to finish the 2024 season undefeated. The biggest road block between Oregon and their 12-0 aspirations is Wisconsin, its next opponent.

This Saturday afternoon, the Ducks will take on the Badgers in Camp Randall Stadium, one of the most hostile road environments in the Big Ten. The Badgers are 5-4 this season, but among the teams on Oregon’s 2024 schedule, Wisconsin is in the upper echelon.

Despite the tricky road environment, Oregon shouldn’t have much trouble with Wisconsin — as long as it executes. I’ve listed my three keys to a Ducks victory below, but the biggest thing for Oregon is each player doing his job with consistency. Under Dan Lanning, that’s something the Ducks seldom  struggle with.

Run the ball

Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images

A big reason Wisconsin is 5-4 is its elite pass defense. Led by cornerback Ricardo Hallman, the Badgers are allowing just 158.9 passing yards per game — the third-fewest in the Big Ten. In contrast, Wisconsin has not done a good job slowing the run this season, allowing 164.6 yards per game on the ground — the second-most in the conference. Oregon has one of the top offenses in the country because it runs and passes well, but against Wisconsin, when they’ll be without star wide receiver Tez Johnson, running the ball should be a focus.

Front-seven solidity

Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images

Oregon’s defense had a poor performance against Maryland’s passing attack, last week, but this week, the defensive focus will need to be against the run. Wisconsin has a top five rushing offense in the Big Ten, but Oregon’s run defense has been good since the Boise State game. If the Ducks defenders, particularly the front seven, can do their jobs once again this week, Oregon will be in good shape defensively.

Win the turnover battle

This has been a key for Oregon all season when playing teams not quite up to there skill level. The easiest way to lose games like these is by giving the opponent extra possessions through turnovers. If Dillon Gabriel is smart with the football, as he’s been for much of the year, and the Ducks skill players are sure-handed, Oregon has nothing to worry about. And if the Ducks grab a takeaway or two themselves, that’s a ticket to victory.

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What to expect at Camp Randall for the Badgers’ marquee matchup vs. Oregon

What to expect at Camp Randall for the Badgers’ marquee matchup vs. Oregon

Despite its 2024 output on the field, Wisconsin’s football program sure knows how to attract fans to Camp Randall Stadium for every home game.

The program announced on Wednesday that it has sold out Camp Randall in anticipation of its game vs. No. 1 Oregon on Nov. 16. The sellout is its fifth this season, the most at Camp Randall Stadium since 2008, per Wisconsin Athletics.

Saturday’s game will mark the first time Wisconsin welcomes a No. 1 foe into its home stadium since Oct. 16, 2010. That day, the Badgers upset No. 1 Ohio State 31-18 in a stunner.

Wisconsin also encourages all of its fans, not just the student section, to wear red and arrive early for the contest.

Not atypical for such a monumental game, Wisconsin will honor one of its greatest alumnus during Saturday’s bout. The Badgers will honor legendary running back Melvin Gordon on the 10-year anniversary of his 408-yard explosion against Nebraska on Nov. 15, 2014.

That season, Gordon finished with 2,587 rushing yards, a Big Ten record and the second-most in FBS history. He was named the Doak Walker Award winner and the runner-up for the ’14 Heisman Trophy behind Oregon quarterback Marcus Mariota.

Even though the Badgers may be outmatched against the Ducks on Saturday, Camp Randall should be alive with excitement.

Previewing the Badger defense ahead of Saturday’s showdown with Oregon

Oregon is going to go up against one of the better secondaries in the conference with All-American corner Ricardo Hallman leading the way.

Some teams have problems defending the pass, while some have trouble with the opposing run game. And then some defenses have trouble defending either.

Wisconsin’s defense is having its share of problems with the run game, but the secondary is one of the best in the Big Ten. The lack of success on the offensive side of the ball doesn’t help the cause though.

Oregon will spend this week trying to figure out the best way to exploit that with their two-headed monster at tailback of Jordan James and Noah Whittington. Expect quarterback Dillon Gabriel to have a few more runs than he normally would.

The Badgers are giving up 165 yards on the ground, but they are only allowing 159 yards through the air. A major reason the secondary is so good is cornerback Ricardo Hallman. He locks down his side of the field to the point where quarterbacks aren’t even attempting to throw his way and for good reason.

Hallman was a Third-Team All-American last season with his seven interceptions. He doesn’t have any this year, but it’s difficult to pick off a pass when the ball is consistently on the other side of the field.

“It’s smart as a coach to not to throw at a gut who is going to make a lot of plays on the ball,” Oregon coach Dan Lanning said. “But it’s more challenging for a defense when you can work the entire field, but there’s a reason people aren’t testing him because he’s a talented player.”

Wisconsin has just three interceptions as a team this season and fellow defensive back Preston Zachman has two of them to go with his 41 tackles. Linebacker Jaheim Thomas is the team’s leading tackler with 52 of them and safety Hunter Wohler is right on his heels with 51 tackles.

“They’re good tacklers and they do a great job is disguising coverage,” Lanning said. “They have some mix-ups there. This is one of the more talented secondaries we’ve seen.”

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Previewing the Wisconsin offense before Saturday’s game in Madison

Wisconsin’s offense has struggled throughout the season and facing the Duck defense won’t make things any easier.

There are some very good offensive units in the Big Ten such as Ohio State, Indiana, and to some degree Penn State.

But Wisconsin is not on that list.

The Badgers have had trouble putting the ball in the end zone in 2024 and against one of the top defenses in the county, it’s difficult to imagine this changing on Saturday.

Quarterback and first-year starter Braedyn Locke has had an up-and-down season. He averages nearly 180 yards a game and he has eight touchdowns to his credit. That’s the good news. The bad news, at least for the Badgers, is that Locke has thrown for eight picks. That 1-to-1 ratio between touchdown passes and interceptions is less than ideal.

When Locke isn’t tossing the all around the field, he is giving it to a capable running back in Tawee Walker. The 5-foot-9, 218-pound senior averages 84 yards a game and has found the end zone 10 times.

With a more prolific passing game for a defense to pay closer attention to, Walker’s numbers would most likely be even better.

In that passing game, Locke tends to throw to receiver Will Pauling more often than not. He leads the team with 40 receptions and two touchdowns.

The Badgers feature an offensive line that can be a tough one to crack for any defense with their size. The smallest offensive lineman for the Badgers is Jake Renfro at 6-foot-4 and 302 pounds and the largest is Jack Nelson at 6-foot-7 and 316 pounds.

According to Oregon coach Dan Lanning, Wisconsin has a typical Big Ten line to contend with.

“They’re big. They’re one of the ones where you look at them and say that’s what an offensive line looks like,” he said. “They have great size up front. They have the ability to move you. That’s what a Wisconsin offensive line looks like.”

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