Dillon Gabriel threw for four touchdowns, and No. 1 Oregon survived a late scare to defeat No. 3 Penn State 45-37 in a thrilling Big Ten Championship on Saturday night. The victory keeps the Ducks unbeaten and secures them a first-round bye in the College Football Playoff, with a near-certain spot as the No. 1 seed.
Oregon (13-0, No. 1 CFP), the only remaining unbeaten team in the FBS, nearly squandered a 15-point lead with just over four minutes to go. Penn State (11-2, No. 3 CFP) mounted a furious comeback, but the Nittany Lions’ hopes were dashed when Nikko Reed intercepted Drew Allar’s pass with 1:54 remaining.
“It was a wild one, but we found a way,” said Oregon head coach Dan Lanning. “These guys can go all the way if they keep working. I can promise you they will.”
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Jordan James ran for two touchdowns to help the Ducks secure their first league title since 2020, this time in their inaugural season in the Big Ten. Meanwhile, Tez Johnson was named the game’s MVP after hauling in 11 passes for 181 yards and a touchdown.
Despite the loss, Penn State is expected to be one of the 12 teams to make the College Football Playoff field. The Nittany Lions’ comeback bid faltered after they failed to convert a critical two-point attempt early in the fourth quarter, leaving them trailing 38-30.
Oregon capitalized on the missed conversion, capping off a 75-yard drive with James’ 12-yard touchdown run to extend the lead to 45-30 with 7:28 left in the game.
Penn State wasn’t done yet, though. Allar threw a 14-yard touchdown pass to Harrison Wallace III, cutting the lead to 45-37 with 3:41 remaining. After forcing an Oregon punt, the Nittany Lions had one more chance to tie it, but Reed’s interception ended their hopes.
Gabriel finished the game 22 of 32 for 283 yards, connecting with Kenyon Sadiq for two touchdowns in the first half, as the teams combined for a championship-game record 55 points—the previous record was 52, set in 2012. Sadiq, who finished with just two catches, made his presence felt with a highlight-reel hurdle on his first touchdown. James added 87 yards on 20 carries.
Allar completed 20 of 39 passes for 236 yards, throwing three touchdowns but also tossing two interceptions. Kaytron Allen was a standout for Penn State, rushing 14 times for 124 yards and a touchdown. Nicolas Singleton added 101 yards on the ground and a receiving touchdown, while Tyler Warren caught seven passes for 64 yards.
Both teams allowed their highest point totals of the season in a game that will be remembered for its wild finish and high-scoring action.
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