Lanning Jokes Oregon Needs 12 to Stop Smith

Oregon coach Dan Lanning said the Ducks will need to track Ohio State receiver Jeremiah Smith at all times when the teams meet in Columbus on Nov. 7. Smith leads the Big Ten with 62 catches, 1,067 yards and 13 touchdowns and has set multiple Ohio State receiving records. Lanning joked Oregon might need to play with 12 defenders, recalling the extra-player penalty that helped run down the clock in the Ducks’ 32-31 win over Ohio State in 2024. Ohio State will be without injured quarterback Julian Sayin, leaving freshman Luke Fahey to lead the offense, but Oregon still faces a major challenge in containing Smith.