Oregon escapes Penn State in double-OT: No. 6 Ducks blow lead, finish strong vs. James Franklin, Nittany Lions

Penn State coach James Franklin is now 2-21 against AP top 6 opponents, an astonishing and miserable run for one of the most productive coaches in the sport. Getting Oregon at home seemed like a perfect opportunity to stem the tide. Coming all the way back from 14 down to tie the game and force overtime was a huge opportunity for the program. 

Unfortunately, like so many times before, Penn State fell short. This is the most talented and best roster of Franklin's career, but still, the team suffers from missed opportunities and conservatism in the biggest spots. 

Penn State is still in good shape to make the College Football Playoff, but a road trip to No. 1 Ohio State is another key opportunity to turn the tide. After the inconsistent performance at home, how much faith should we have in Franklin's team to play its best then? 

Oregon has a few All-America contenders, but the depth of the Ducks' roster is becoming overwhelming under Dan Lanning. Seven different receivers caught multiple passes from quarterback Dante Moore. Four different players recorded at least seven carries, not counting Jordon Davison's touchdown. 

On defense, the depth is even better. Outside of linebacker Bryce Boettcher's 12 tackles, 13 different players recorded between two and five stops. Five different players were part of a tackle for loss, and the team got quarterback hurries from both a linebacker and safety. 

Oregon has one of the most diversified game plans in college football; looking at the level of talent across the roster, it's easy to see why. 

Oregon has recruited at an absurd level over the past few years, but several new additions to the program are starting to show up. Wide receiver Dakorien Moore ranks as one of the top recruits to ever commit to the program, and is already proving himself as an alpha. Moore led the team with seven catches for 89 yards.

The surprise of the bunch was fellow true freshman Dierre Hill Jr. The running back played small private school ball in Illinois, but has already integrated himself into the lineup as a low-range four-star. Hill caught the first touchdown of the game on an 8-yard tunnel screen, and led the team with 82 yards on 10 carries. 

Oregon is a serious national title contender this year, but the future is absurdly bright. 

FINAL: Oregon 30, Penn State 24

No. 6 Oregon walked into Happy Valley and pulled off a major upset against No. 3 Penn State, a 30-24 victory to launch itself to the forefront of the national title conversation. Safety Dillon Thieneman reeled in a ridiculous interception in double-overtime to pull a stunner. 

Penn State went on a furious run to end the fourth quarter, eliminating a 14-point deficit behind a physical running attack. The Nittany Lions called runs on 11 out of 15 plays on the final drive of the game, but decided to air it out to start double-overtime. Quarterback Drew Allar's pass was tracked down and intercepted by Thieneman. 

Oregon dominated much of the game, holding onto the ball for more than 33 minutes and outgaining the Nittany Lions by nearly 150 yards. Freshmen Dakorien Moore and Thierre Hill Jr. were standouts in the win, posting 89 yards receiving and 82 yards rushing respectively. Veteran Gary Bryant reeled in the game-winning 25-yard touchdown. 

With the loss, Penn State coach James Franklin moves to 2-21 in games against AP Top 6 opponents. The Nittany Lions have a 15-game losing streak against such teams dating back to 2016. This was the first ever ranked road victory by Oregon coach Dan Lanning. 

• ORE: Won 3 straight games vs AP Top-5 teams for 1st time in school history
• ORE: Won 17 straight conference games (11-0 in conf play since joining Big Ten)
• ORE: Longest active regular season win streak (23) & road win streak (8) in FBS
• ORE: T-highest AP-ranked road win in school history (No. 3)
• PSU: 1st loss in "White-Out" Game since 2018 vs 4 OSU
• Drew Allar (PSU): 0-6 career record as starter vs AP Top-6 teams
• James Franklin (PSU): 2nd-worst career record (2-21) vs AP Top-6 teams as HC (min. 20 GP)

2OT: Oregon 30, Penn State 24

After a tough, physical drive in the first overtime, Dante Moore recognizes Gary Bryant open in space and connects for a 25-yard touchdown to start double-overtime. Moore was intercepted on the two-point conversion, so Penn State can win it with a successful touchdown and two-point conversion. 

End 1OT: Penn State 24, Oregon 24

Oregon needed a fourth down conversion and a tough spin move in traffic from Jamari Johnson, but the Ducks managed to get into the end zone and extend the game. The Ducks will get the ball to start double-overtime. 

OT: Penn State 24, Oregon 17

Penn State has essentially abandoned the dropback passing game. Following a touch pass on first down, the Nittany Lions posted a 16-yard option and a go-ahead rush by Kaytron Allen. ALl eyes are on Oregon now. 

Oregon won the toss and is playing defense. Penn State will get first crack at things. 

After Penn State's historic drive to close the fourth quarter, Oregon and Penn State are heading to overtime. Penn State needed to score 14 unanswered points in the fourth quarter just to get to the extra period. 

Late 4Q: Oregon 17, Penn State 17

Penn State just pulled off a massive final drive of regulation, going 62 yards in 15 plays to set up a misdirection touchdown by Devonte Ross. Oregon has 30 seconds to respond, or we head to overtime. The Nittany Lions have 14 unanswered points. 

4Q: Oregon 17, Penn State 10

It took four quarters, but Penn State finally connected on its first explosive play of the game. Lions quarterback Drew Allar dropped back and connected with Devonte Ross for a 35-yard touchdown that suddenly transformed this matchup into a one-score game in the fourth quarter. 

4Q: Oregon 17, Penn State 3

That should just about do it. Jordon Davison broke through the line for an eight-yard touchdown and that's almost certainly insurmountable. 

End 3Q: Oregon 10, Penn State 3

The scoreboard is finally starting to reflect the stat sheet as Oregon scored a critical touchdown to pull in front of Penn State. The game swung after Ducks running back Noah Whittington was ruled down before a pivotal fumble, ultimately setting up an eight-yard touchdown pass from Dante Moore. 

The Ducks haven't always been efficient, but Oregon has moved the ball well against one of the best defenses in college football. The Ducks are outgaining Penn State 303-109 and have 14 first downs to seven for the Nittany Lions. Quarterback Dante Moore has 188 yards, while freshman running back Dierre Hill Jr. has been a revelation with 82 yards rushing and a receiving touchdown. 

Penn State quarterback Drew Allar has thrown for only 62 yards and is completing half of his passes against the Ducks, a lackluster performance in the biggest spot. Oregon has the ball entering the fourth quarter with a chance to put the game away. 

3Q: Oregon 10, Penn State 3

Following the overturned fumble, Oregon offensive coordinator Will Stein opened the bag and connected with Dierre Hill on a bubble screen for the first receiving touchdown of his career -- in the biggest spot. Penn State is outgaining Oregon 274-108 and the scoreboard finally reflects the dynamic. 

After further review, Noah Whittington was ruled down by his knee touching the grass. Instead of a big Penn State swing, Oregon has the ball at the 8-yard line. 

Penn State got its first big swing of the game. With Oregon facing first-and-goal, running back Noah Whittington spun out of a tackle and fumbled the ball. Penn State's Zakee Wheatley picked it up and returned it all the way to midfield to give the Nittany Lions their best opportunity of the game. 

Oregon was set to get into the end zone for the first time. Instead, Penn State has the ball with great field position. 

Penn State put together one of its best drives of the day, a nine-play, 39-yard sequence to get into Oregon territory. However, a sack derailed the drive and led to a 36-yard punt into the end zone, resulting in only 16 net yards of field position. It was a disappointing end and gives Oregon yet another chance to take over the game. 

HALF: Penn State 3, Oregon 3

No. 3 Penn State and No. 6 Oregon are knotted up at 3-3 in a defensive slugfest at halftime. After missing an early field goal, the Ducks got on the board with a 42-yard kick from Atticus Sappington late in the second quarter. 

The defenses have been the star through two quarters, especially on the Oregon side. The Ducks have recorded four tackles for loss and a sack, with linebacker Matayo Uiagalelei responsible for two TFLs and the sack. The Nittany Lions had only 69 yards in the first half with just four first downs. 

While the scoreboard remains close, Oregon has dominated time of possession and been on the field for the vast majority of the game. The Ducks have run 34 plays to only 25 for Penn State. Three of their four drives have traveled at least nine plays. 

Oregon quarterback Dante Moore threw for 112 yards, with 57 yards going to freshman Dakorien Moore. Running backs Dierre Hill and Noah Whittington have combined for 53 yards on the ground. Penn State quarterback Drew Allar threw for only 45 yards and Penn State is averaging just 1.8 yards per carry. 

2Q: Oregon 3, Penn State 3

Nothing about Oregon's performance has been efficient, but the Ducks just keep driving. On fourth-and-one, Dante Moore found freshman Dakorien Moore for a 20-yard reception to keep the chains moving into Penn State territory. After missing his first kick, kicker Atticus Sappington nailed a 42-yard field goal to tie the game. 

Oregon has held the ball for more than 18 minutes to only eight for Penn State. They've run 34 plays to 16. Will the body blows start to add up in Happy Valley? 

Oregon has been grinding out tough yards, but freshman running back Dierre Hill Jr. broke off the first explosive play of the game for the Ducks. Hill ran for 24 yards to get the Ducks into Penn State territory, which has been a tough path for Oregon against a physical Penn State defense. 

2Q: Penn State 3, Oregon 0

Penn State running back Nicholas Singleton has been a do-everything piece for the Nittany Lions early against Oregon. Singleton touched the ball on seven consecutive plays, including two huge plays on third down to keep the offense moving. Singleton has 38 yards. The rest of the team combined has -1 yards. 

His strong performance helped set up a 49-yard field goal from Ryan Barker to break the deadlock. 

No. 3 Penn State and No. 6 Oregon are still scoreless after one quarter at Beaver Stadium. The Ducks have put together a pair of lengthy drives to eat up nearly 10 minutes of the period, but are averaging only 3.1 yards per play after a failed fourth down conversion. 

After whiffing on their first four plays, quarterback Drew Allar finally hit running back Nicholas Singleton for a 15-yard strike to set up a fourth-and-1 conversion deep in their own territory. The Nittany Lions have struggled to generate offense and have only run nine plays through the first quarter. 

Oregon running back Noah Whittington has four carries for 15 yards, while quarterback Dante Moore threw for 21 yards. Allar has seven net yards after an eight-yard loss on a botched screen, and Singleton has 21 all-purpose yards. 

Oregon put together drives of 6 and 11 plays to start the game, but Penn State has kept them without any explosive plays. The Ducks are averaging only 2.8 yards per play, and Penn State got a fourth down stop deep in their own territory to get the offense back on the field.

Oregon's offense got some movement down the field through dinking and dunking, and appeared set to go for it on 4th-and-inches. However, a false start call ultimately pushed them out of range. Penn State will get its first drive of the game at their own 15-yard line. 

Oregon has been a buzzsaw through the first few weeks of the year, ranking among the most efficient teams in nearly every statistical category. According to SP+, the Ducks have the No. 2 offense, 5 defense and 4 special teams in college football. For Penn State to win, quarterback Drew Allar has to spread out the defense and create opportunities against one of the best passing defenses in college football. With frustrating early returns, it's unclear whether he'll be able to do that. Pick: Oregon +3.5

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Two years ago, Dante Moore was a turnover machine. The former five-star quarterback was thrust into a starting job at UCLA that he was not ready for, ultimately spurring his transfer to Oregon. 

Now, Moore is one of the best quarterback development stories in college football. The sophomore from Detroit has established himself as the face of the Oregon offense and one of the breakout stars of the sport. 

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Oregon and Penn State both rank top-six nationally and have a pathway to even more, depending on what happens in this game. CBS Sports' Brad Crawford projects Penn State as the No. 10 seed in the College Football Playoff, but that shifts dramatically if they win against Oregon. 

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James Franklin's struggles against elite opponents have defined much of his career. Despite being one of the most successful coaches in the 21st Century, Franklin has a putrid 2-20 record against AP Top 6 opponents, the second-worst in college football. 

The Nittany Lions invested handsomely to return quarterback Drew Allar, running backs Kaytron Allen and Nick Singleton, and defensive lineman Dani Dennis-Sutton. If he can't get over the hump in this game, it's worth asking whether he ever will.