Coach Dan Lanning is on the hot seat in some fans' eyes after his Oregon Ducks took a 10-7 lead to halftime against the Illinois Fighting Illini only to watch it vanish as the Illini won 21-10. The Ducks were without top offensive players Dante Moore and Evan Stewart and Illinois took advantage, sending Lanning back to the drawing board.
Lanning made a statement after the game that was shared by GoDucks.com editor Rob Moseley.
“We've got to evaluate exactly who we are,” Lanning said. “Each person's got to look in their heart and respond, and say exactly what they want to go attack and what they can improve and get better. And that's really where the focus has to be,” he added.
The Ducks outgained the Illini 426 total yards to 314, but were 4-of-15 on third downs as offensive coordinator Drew Mehringer's Dylan Raiola-led unit faltered in key moments time and time again.
Oregon faced a crisis at receiver with Stewart joined by Messiah Hampton and Jalen Lott, both of whom were not able to help out their quarterback Raiola as they missed the game. Both the Ducks and Fighting Illini are now 4-3 on the season after the game, even after Raiola threw for 246 yards.
Article Continues BelowThe Ducks fought hard, but were unable to get over the hump as they gave up two passing touchdowns to Illinois QB Michael Clayton II, who was filling in for the injured Katin Houser.
A home game on Halloween against the 6-1 Northwestern Wildcats will give Lanning and his Ducks a target to aim at, but College Football Playoff hopes appear on life support after another crushing Big Ten defeat.