Oregon’s 69-3 demolition of Oklahoma State on Saturday was not just another win. It reflected head coach Dan Lanning’s message, which continues to define the program.
The No. 6 Ducks overwhelmed the Cowboys in Eugene, piling up 631 total yards while limiting their opponent to just 211. By the end of three quarters, Oregon had 10 touchdowns, more than Oklahoma State managed in first downs with nine.
“Obviously a good result,” Lanning said in his opening remarks. “I think there’s gonna be a lot that we’re able to look back and say, okay, we can attack this and do this a little bit better. But overall, our crowd, always phenomenal. I think there were five pre-snap penalties on them. That’s eight on the year. That’s a great example of Autzen’s impact.”
For Lanning, motivation comes naturally.
“I told our team right before the game that it never requires extra motivation for an opportunity to go out and kick ass,” he said. “But it never hurts when somebody pours gasoline on the fire.”
Dan Lanning in full on how Mike Gundy's comments about the amount of NIL money around Oregon affected his team's play this week:
— Brenna Greene (@BrennaGreene_) September 7, 2025
"I told our team right before the game, it never requires extra motivation for an opportunity to go out and kick ass but it never hurts when someone… pic.twitter.com/MbI0ZRrIDy
He emphasized that 28 different players recorded tackles, a statistic that underscored his belief in “strength in numbers.” At halftime, Lanning urged his team to reset and raise the bar.
“I really challenged our guys at halftime to set the standard as we come out,” he said, referencing last week’s defensive lapses against Montana State. Oregon responded by shutting out the Cowboys in the second half.
Preparation also factored into the performance.
“We put a real emphasis on our openers, our opening script,” Lanning explained. “I always feel like players, if they know what coach is about to call, that’s when you have the most success.”
The rout showcased depth, discipline, and execution that Lanning has demanded since his arrival.