Oregon Ducks' Evan Stewart Earns MVP in Upset Victory Over Ohio State Buckeyes

On a beautiful day with perfect football weather in Eugene, the Oregon Ducks proved that they have earned the notion of the best team in the nation. The win in front of a boisterous Autzen Stadium crowd over the new Big Ten opponent Ohio State Buckeyes was the stamp on their College Football Playoff application, 32-31.

Oregon Ducks wide receiver Evan Stewart celebrates a long reception as the No. 3 Oregon Ducks host the No. 2 Ohio State Buckeyes Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024 at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Ore. / Ben Lonergan/The Register-Guard / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

The No. 3 Oregon Ducks made history at Autzen Stadium with the most-ever announced attendance at 60,129 in a fashionable statement. While rocking the 'Fly Era' threads in the victory over the Ohio State Buckeyes, head coach Dan Lanning and the Oregon football program obtained the first ever Top-Five victory in that historic building.

The sell-out crowd may have had a decent amount of red in it but the Oregon faithful made their presence known. They even caused two Ohio State false starts and a delay of game during the same drive in the first half, that's the true definition of a home atmosphere.

With over 15 NFL scouts in the crowd along with key 2025's five-star Oregon commits like wide receiver Dakorien Moore, safety Trey McNutt and uncommitted defensive lineman Jahkeem Stewart plus many more of the nation's top recruits, the Ducks impressed the entire college football world on Saturday night.

Oregon Ducks head coach Dan Lanning walks the field during warmups as the No. 3 Oregon Ducks host the No. 2 Ohio State Buckeyes Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024 at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Ore. / Ben Lonergan/The Register-Guard / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Former Oregon head coach and now Ohio State offensive coordinator Chip Kelly had the ground game working for most of tonight. The Buckeyes' running back duo of TreVeyon Henderson and Quinshon Judkins is still the best combination out of the backfield you will find this season. The Ducks didn't have an answer for those two but the Oregon defense was able to make up for it with the pressure they put on Ohio State's quarterback Will Howard. His questionable decision to take it himself right as the clocked hit zero will haunt him for a while.

Even without Oregon's defensive end Jordan Burch, linebacker Jeffrey Bassa made a difference on the defensive side of the ball for the Ducks. He should've had that interception on Ohio State's first offensive drive but it wasn't even reviewed. Oregon's defensive end Matayo Uiagalelei made an even more impactful effort without Burch as he was essentially unblockable out on the edge for all 60 minutes.

On offense, Oregon's Heisman hopeful quarterback Dillon Gabriel was dealing with high and low snaps from center Iapani "Poncho" Laloulu. You could tell it affected Gabriel's ability to put his throws on the money. He entered the game as the most efficient quarterback in the nation and his performance against Ohio State definitely wasn't his best outing on the season.

That doesn't mean that Gabriel didn't make some game-changing deep strikes and the game-changing run on his own feet. This was his second 300+ passing yard game on the season but what forced the Ducks' undefeated stretch to continue was when he showed off his mobility with his 27-yard touchdown keep at the start of the fourth quarter.

Oregon quarterback Dillon Gabriel scores a touchdown against Ohio State during the fourth quarter at Autzen Stadium Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024. / Chris Pietsch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

With that being said, the Most Valuable Player(s) in the Ducks-Buckeyes matchup had to be from Oregon's receiving core, especially with Traeshon Holden being ejected for spitting on Ohio State's cornerback Davison Igbinosun in the first half. Oregon's tight end Terrance Ferguson seems to find his name being called in the most needed of opportunities. The flashes of Kansas City's Travis Kelce were evident in tonight's victory.

Tez Johnson has been Gabriel's favorite option all season and he started off slow. That didn't stop him from gathering himself and making an impact when it mattered most in the first half. But in tonight's monumental Oregon victory, it was Evan Stewart's true coming out party with the Ducks. He was physical against the Buckeyes' press coverage throughout the entire night and finished with 149 receiving yards on seven catches. Without the vital touchdown snag in the second quarter from him, the Ducks would be looking at their season outlook in a completely different fashion.

Oregon has had to deal with too close for comfort games throughout the early part of this undefeated 6-0 record run. Ohio State hasn't. Those who stand out in the most uncomfortable of situations over and over again turn out to be the most successful. Gabriel and his connection with his offensive core proved that tonight.

With Texas defeating Oklahoma in the Red River Showdown, the best team in the land may technically still belong to the Longhorns according to the Associated Press Poll tomorrow morning but the Ducks are right behind them. Oregon more importantly has control of the Big Ten Conference now as well as one of the four top seeds in the College Football Playoff picture.

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