Ducks Digest

Oregon Ducks vs. Illinois Questionable Officiating: Derrick Harmon Fumble Recovery?

The No. 1 Oregon Ducks are beating the No. 20 Illinois Fighting Illini 35-3 at halftime. The officials missed a fumble from Illinois quarterback Luke Altmyer that was recovered by Oregon defensive lineman Derrick Harmon. Instead, the missed call allowed Illinois to punt.

Charlie Viehl

Oregon head coach Dan Lanning, left, and Illinois head coach Bret Bielema talk before the game as the No. 1 Oregon Ducks host the No. 21 Illinois Fighting Illini Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024 at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Ore.
Oregon head coach Dan Lanning, left, and Illinois head coach Bret Bielema talk before the game as the No. 1 Oregon Ducks host the No. 21 Illinois Fighting Illini Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024 at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Ore. / Ben Lonergan/The Register-Guard / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
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The No. 1 Oregon Ducks are leading the No. 20 Illinois Fighting Illini 35-3 at halftime. In the second quarter, Oregon defenders Devon Jackson and Brandon Johnson sacked Illinois quarterback Luke Altmyer for an 11-yard loss. The sack forced a punt from the Illinois offense, but the officials might have missed a fumble recovered by Oregon.

However, the ball appeared to come out of Altmyer's hands before he was down, and Ducks defensive lineman Derrick Harmon made a clear recover of the fumble.

While Harmon made the recovery, Oregon outside linebacker Jaeden Moore punched the ball out of Altmyer's hands before his knee goes down. Ducks defensive coordinator Tosh Lupoi has preached the importance of attacking the ball and creating turnovers for Oregon's defense.

The play was not reviewed by officials. Instead, Illinois punted for 36 yards, and the Oregon offense scored six plays later to take a 28-3 lead.

This is the second game of the season in which the officiating has been questionable when it comes to turnovers and reviews. Against the Ohio State Buckeyes, Oregon linebacker Jeffrey Bassa appeared to come up with an interception after fighting for the ball with the Ohio State receiver.

Similarly to Harmon's fumble recover, the officials in the Ohio State game never reviewed the play.

Fans could make the argument that Oregon coach Dan Lanning should have called a timeout to give the replay official more time to make a decision. Against Illinois, the Ducks had already burned one of their first-half timeouts, so Lanning's decision to hold them is understandable.

Despite the questionable call from the officials, the Ducks dominated in the first half. Oregon quarterback Dillon Gabriel completed 16 of 20 passes, throwing for 246 yards and three touchdowns in the first two quarters. Already an incredible stat line, Gabriel added a fourth score with a seven-yard rushing touchdown.

Gabriel has already connected with wide receiver Tez Johnson five times, including a 31-yard completion for a touchdown. Johnson showed off his ability to gain yards after the catch, and dove into the corner of the end zone.

Oregon wide receiver Justius Lowe is continuing to break out. He caught a deep ball from Dillon Gabriel over the middle for a 34-yard touchdown in the first quarter. The Ducks are also taking care of business on the ground, led by running back Noah Whittington who is averaging nine yards a carry at halftime.

If the Ducks are able to hold onto the large lead, Gabriel's night should end relatively early.

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Charlie Viehl
CHARLIE VIEHL

Charlie Viehl is a 23-year old Boston College graduate and is an Oregon Ducks and USC Trojans beat reporter for On SI. A native of Pasadena, California, he covered sports across Los Angeles while at Loyola High School and edited the Gabelli Presidential Scholars Program’s magazine at BC. While pursuing a career in sports journalism, he is also a lifelong musician. He is excited to bring his passion for storytelling and sports to fans of college athletics.

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