Former Ohio State HC Urban Meyer Gives the Highest Praise to Ducks' Fake Punt

Former Ohio State head coach Urban Meyer didn't hold back when discussing Oregon's decision to go for the fake punt against Ohio State. 

Meyer went so far as to call it the "biggest call in recent history," and then he laughed jokingly about the jump pass being linebacker-to-linebacker. It's a great clip that came from Meyer's Triple Option Podcast, which he hosts with his partners at FOX.

Meyer has the pulse of college football, specifically the Ohio State Buckeyes, better in some cases than anyone inside Ohio State's building. He knows everything that happens everywhere on Saturday.

He also has incredible awareness of the importance of matchups and rivalries. Everyone knows that Ohio State vs. Oregon is becoming a rivalry, especially over the last several seasons. The two teams compete in some of the best games of the year, and they are two teams that always have their eyes on the National Championship.

Sure, there is a bit of hyperbole in what Meyer said about that specific play call, but maybe not so much. Both of these programs are struggling; both absolutely needed a win. 

For the last five years (recent history), Oregon has been seen as the little brother to the Buckeyes, specifically after the Rose Bowl beatdown in 2024. Since then, Dan Lanning has been considered inferior to Ryan Day.

What an opportunity for him to flip the script on this rivalry and the landscape of these programs, then go into Day's house and dismantle them. Much easier said than done. 

Stack all of that scenario up and then put the fact that Oregon was trailing Ohio State 14-0 with no real momentum, until the call.

Once the Ducks called "leap" and executed it, they would rip off 38 straight points and pull the Buckeyes apart drive by drive, minute by minute, play by play.

It was an impressive night in Columbus, and who knows how it would have looked had Lanning not called the fake punt. 

For it to truly be the most impactful play in recent history, the Ducks need to capitalize on it. They have an opportunity to go 3-0 against Michigan, Michigan State, and Washington, which will put them in a position to go to the College Football Playoff.

They should have nothing but belief in what they can do as a team and how far this season can go. It certainly isn't a guarantee, but if they are able to get through the rest of this season and make the Playoff, then yes, Meyer will be right; it will be the biggest call in recent college football history.