The top-ranked Oregon Ducks maintained their perfect record with a 39-18 win over the unranked Maryland Terrapins at Autzen Stadium on Saturday night.
This victory is significant for several reasons: the Ducks improved to 10-0 for the first time since 2012 and only the third time in the program’s history. They join Indiana (10-0), BYU (8-0), and Army (9-0) as the remaining undefeated teams in the FBS. Oregon has a strong historical record of 9-1 when ranked No. 1.
One of the most notable outcomes of the night was for head coach Dan Lanning. Achieving 10 wins guarantees Lanning a contract extension of one year, extending his deal through January 2031, with a reported total value of $9.4 million.
This victory is also significant for Oregon’s overall success under Lanning. Since 2022, he is tied for second among active FBS coaches in wins (32) and win percentage (.861). At home, the Ducks have a solid record, going 6-0 so far in 2024 and 17-1 in Eugene since Lanning took over.
Lanning had a successful debut season in 2022 with a 10-3 record, which improved to 12-2 in 2023. He became only the third head coach at Oregon to achieve at least 22 wins in their first two seasons, and his 31 wins tie him with Chip Kelly for the most by any Oregon coach in their first 36 games.
Despite the pressure of being a top team, Lanning has shown strong leadership. He quickly dismissed rumors of possibly taking the Alabama head coaching position after Nick Saban’s retirement, emphasizing his commitment to Oregon by stating, “The grass is damn green in Eugene.”
If the Ducks achieve 10 wins in any season through 2030-31, Lanning will receive a third contract extension.
Saban has praised Lanning’s coaching style, noting Oregon’s impressive consistency this season, citing their 11th rankings in both offense and defense, which indicates their ability to play complimentary football. He admires Lanning’s competitive approach, highlighting a moment where Lanning called a timeout to signal his team’s dominance over Michigan.
Looking ahead, Lanning has additional financial incentives tied to the postseason. If the Ducks qualify for the inaugural 12-team College Football Playoff, he could earn $150,000 for the first round, $200,000 for the quarterfinals, $250,000 for the semifinals, and $500,000 for a spot in the National Championship. Additionally, if Lanning secures Oregon’s first football national championship, he would receive an annual salary increase of $500,000 for the remainder of his contract.
Next, Lanning and the Ducks will travel to face Wisconsin on Saturday, Nov. 16, at 4:30 p.m. PT.
