No. 1 Oregon Outlasts No. 3 Penn State 45-37 to Win Big Ten Championship
INDIANAPOLIS — In a wild, high-scoring showdown, No. 1 Oregon survived a late scare to defeat No. 3 Penn State 45-37 on Saturday night, clinching the Big Ten Championship and almost certainly securing the top seed in the first-ever 12-team College Football Playoff.
Oregon (13-0, No. 1 CFP) continued its dominant season, despite giving up a season-high 37 points and nearly blowing a 15-point lead in the final four minutes. Dillon Gabriel, the Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year, threw for 283 yards and four touchdowns, leading the Ducks to their first conference title since 2019 and 2020, when they were in the Pac-12.
"This is why you play the game. You live for these moments, you dream of them, and now we're Big Ten champs," Gabriel said after the victory, smiling as he celebrated with his family near Lucas Oil Stadium’s tunnel.
Oregon didn’t make it easy, however. A series of dramatic plays and crucial moments determined the outcome, from Gabriel's early touchdowns to Nikko Reed’s game-clinching interception. The Ducks' offense, led by Gabriel, was explosive, but it was their defense, making big plays when it mattered most, that ultimately secured the win.
A Fast and Furious First Half
The first half was a record-setting affair, as both teams combined for 55 points—surpassing the previous Big Ten Championship game mark of 52. Gabriel was sensational, hitting Kenyon Sadiq for two touchdowns, including a spectacular hurdling score. Sadiq’s two touchdown receptions helped Oregon build a 28-10 halftime lead.
Penn State (11-2, No. 3 CFP) made a push in the second half, fueled by quarterback Drew Allar, who finished the game with 236 yards and three touchdowns. Despite two interceptions, including one that was converted into a touchdown for Oregon, Allar kept the Nittany Lions in the game.
Penn State’s ground game was equally effective. Kaytron Allen rushed for 124 yards and a touchdown, while Nicholas Singleton added 101 yards on the ground and a receiving touchdown. However, a failed two-point conversion early in the fourth quarter left Penn State down 38-30, and Oregon responded with a 75-yard drive capped off by Jordan James’ 12-yard touchdown run to make it 45-30 with 7:28 left.
Penn State’s Final Push
Penn State refused to go quietly, and after a 14-yard touchdown pass from Allar to Harrison Wallace III made it 45-37 with 3:41 remaining, the Nittany Lions had one last chance. But the Ducks' defense, led by Reed's clutch interception in the final moments, ensured they would not squander their lead.
“We played the No. 1 team in the country and had a chance to win at the end,” said Penn State head coach James Franklin. “We’ll learn from this, and it gives us confidence moving forward.”
Turning Points
Failed 2-point conversion: Penn State’s attempt to make it a one-possession game early in the fourth quarter was unsuccessful, and it proved costly.
Jordan James' touchdown run: His 12-yard score with 7:28 left put the Ducks ahead by two scores, making it difficult for the Nittany Lions to recover.
Nikko Reed’s interception: With just seconds remaining, Reed’s acrobatic pick sealed the game and sent Oregon to a Big Ten title.
Takeaways
Oregon: While it wasn’t the cleanest win, the Ducks did what they needed to do—secure the victory and extend their FBS-longest winning streak to 14. With their first-round bye and a likely top seed in the College Football Playoff, Oregon now sets its sights on the ultimate goal: a national championship.
Penn State: Though they came up short, Franklin’s team showed they can compete with the nation’s best. The Nittany Lions scored more points than anyone had all season against Oregon and will head into the playoffs with renewed confidence.
Up Next
Oregon (13-0, No. 1 CFP) now awaits its place in the College Football Playoff, with a potential national championship run on the horizon.
Penn State (11-2, No. 3 CFP) will likely receive a playoff bid and could host a first-round game as they aim for their first national title.
Final Score:
No. 1 Oregon 45, No. 3 Penn State 37
Key Performers:
Oregon: Dillon Gabriel (283 yards, 4 TDs), Tez Johnson (11 receptions, 181 yards, 1 TD)
Penn State: Drew Allar (236 yards, 3 TDs), Kaytron Allen (124 yards, 1 TD)
Next Games:
Oregon in College Football Playoffs
Penn State in College Football Playoffs
Cameron Williams
DiSportsPhotoAgency
Senior Writer
