Oregon Ducks head coach Dan Lanning is known for being intense in high pressure moments. After Saturday's 30-24 double overtime win over No. 3 Penn State was no exception. He let his true colors unapologetically show and was deep in his emotions.
The raw display Oregon fans are used to was a bit too much for some. Many people took to social media wondering what was going on with Lanning? The truth about the situation is he let all of his "big game energy" go after Penn State quarterback Drew Allar threw a game-deciding interception.
Lanning's postgame interview at midfield Saturday night was a prime example.
NEWS: NCAA randomly drug tests Oregon HC Dan Lanning following viral video after stunning Penn State upset.
— No3 Sports (@No3sports) September 30, 2025
(VIA:@PeteThamel) pic.twitter.com/L9CF5LqXtj
The Ducks won a major conference game, putting them in the national runner-up spot behind top-ranked Ohio State. The White Out in Happy Valley meant more for Lanning. And when asked for a reaction by NBC sideline reporter Kathryn Tappen, it came across as real.
On the verge of tears, Lanning couldn't contain his excitement and it carried over to the embrace with his wife.
Moments like these.
— Bri Amaranthus (@BriAmaranthus) September 28, 2025
Oregon coach Dan Lanning spotted his wife Sauphia and son Titan, rushing into an emotional embrace.
Then he found Rob Mullens - the AD who gave him his first head coaching shot.#GoDucks #WeAre https://t.co/MI8hfAUiWl pic.twitter.com/2AK6qknWRj
Oregon was a 3.5-point underdog and stood on business all night long. While James Franklin's looked stunned and nearly robotic, Lanning injected life into an early candidate for the Big Ten's Game of the Year.
Naturally, internet trolls will misunderstand what this moment meant for the Ducks, but it's absurd to believe Lanning wouldn't react the way he did. This was the same man who stood up in front of his players and declared Deion Sanders and Colorado was "Playing for clicks" and Oregon was "Playing for wins" two years ago.
Lanning has transformed Oregon into a prime time hit. Whether or not this will be Oregon's turning point for a first national championship remains to be seen. The meeting with No. 8 Indiana after the bye week (Oct. 11) seems to be the only roadblock on the way to a Big Ten championship run.
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