The Oregon Geese had an exceptional 2024 season, together with a Large Ten Championship and a Rose Bowl berth within the School Soccer Playoff. Oregon received their first 13 video games of the season, however the season ended horribly for them with a 41-21 whooping by Ohio State within the Rose Bowl. Ohio State had a 34-0 lead within the second quarter and by no means regarded again.
On Wednesday at Large Ten Media Day, Oregon head coach Dan Lanning was requested in regards to the loss to Ohio State on the Rose Bowl. He tipped his cap to Ohio State head coach Ryan Day and what the Buckeyes did proper, and in addition made it clear he hasn’t forgotten the defeat however goals to maneuver on and proper what led to their demise on such a grand stage in Pasadena.
“We at all times bear in mind the losses over the wins. I feel there’s so much you may be taught from that. It doesn’t take away from what we had been capable of accomplish, however we misplaced to an ideal crew,” Lanning mentioned. “Coach Day did an unbelievable job final yr of getting his crew in place to have success there. There are some issues I feel I may have carried out higher on the finish. I don’t assume we performed our greatest soccer.”
Whereas not utilizing it as an excuse for shedding to OSU, Lanning additionally pointed to the lengthy layover that Oregon had resulting from having a bye within the first spherical of the playoffs. Oregon went 25 days with out enjoying, and Lanning instructed ESPN, “you’d love the rust to be knocked off while you step on the sphere” and mentioned the lengthy break is one thing he’s “not loopy about”.
Lanning was primarily constructive all through the afternoon, highlighting the successes Oregon had final yr, together with going undefeated in Large Ten Convention motion throughout the common season and profitable the Large Ten Championship. However now, as Lanning put it, he desires to “double down” and give attention to Oregon’s course of and make the longer term higher than the previous.
“What do we now have to proceed to enhance? There’s at all times studying classes, nevertheless it doesn’t essentially impression the longer term,” Lanning mentioned.
Though Lanning talked in regards to the Ohio State loss at size after being requested about it over a half dozen instances all through the afternoon at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas, his focus is on what’s forward for his program, and he finds the accolades and the failures of final season to have little bearing on the longer term trajectory of the Oregon program.
“We do have a brand-new crew and brand-new challenges. What occurred final yr has nothing to do with the longer term,” Lanning mentioned. “Constructing that, ranging from scratch, getting the chance to move again to the kitchen, determine what we’re going to have the ability to throw in for our recipe, and create an ideal meal is one thing we’re tremendous enthusiastic about.”
Oregon will head into the season as an underdog to win the Large Ten. Oregon completed third in preseason polls performed by USA At the moment and Cleveland.com, with Penn State at No. 1 and Ohio State at No. 2. Oregon additionally has the third-best odds of profitable the Large Ten on FanDuel Sportsbook. The truth that Ohio State and Penn State are receiving all of the preseason buzz is one thing Lanning is conscious of, telling ESPN’s Heather Dinich, “I don’t thoughts being the silent murderer.”
If Oregon’s to grow to be a silent murderer and make a playoff run as soon as once more, they’ll be doing so with a brand new beginning quarterback in Dante Moore. Final season, Oregon had Dillon Gabriel, a Heisman finalist and a participant who began 63 collegiate video games, essentially the most in FBS historical past. Now the keys are being handed to Moore, who’s in his third yr of school ball and began 5 video games at UCLA in 2023 earlier than transferring to Oregon final season. In all, Moore has handed for 1,659 yards, 11 touchdowns, 9 interceptions, with a 54.8 completion price.
“I feel most likely what impressed me most with Dante shouldn’t be desirous to be in a microwave society,” Lanning defined. “Not wanting to simply get it quick as a result of there’s a chance in entrance of him, however to have the slow-cooked meal, to have the chance to take a seat again and mature and be taught, be taught from experiences that you simply don’t essentially should be on the sphere to really feel.”
Whereas this may increasingly not really feel like Oregon’s yr to make a critical run for a title, that narrative from outsiders may very well be all of the motivation they should discover high-level success as soon as once more in 2025.
