Did Oregon head coach Dan Lanning have some extra motivation against the Oklahoma State Cowboys on Saturday? Most people think he did.
During the buildup to the game, Oklahoma State coach Mike Gundy garnered attention for making multiple comments about how much money the Ducks have spent on their roster. Some people felt that Gundy was implying that Oregon’s success is simply down to them outspending the rivals, and that certainly seemed to be how Lanning took it.
“We spend to win. Some people save to have an excuse for why they don’t,” Lanning said last Monday.
Oregon seemed determined to send Gundy and the Cowboys a message on Saturday. The Ducks jumped out to a 69-3 lead through three quarters. They did bring in their backups to finish out the fourth quarter, but even then, Oregon was still throwing the ball against the Cowboys.
On social media, the prevailing opinion was that Lanning was eager to run up the score on Oklahoma State to make a point in response to Gundy’s remarks.
Dan Lanning to Mike Gundy pic.twitter.com/D7d4Vv0x1j
— Robert Littal BSO (@BSO) September 6, 2025
Dan Lanning when asked by his OC, “We’re up by 66. You want to keep throwing?” pic.twitter.com/aei9VBzXEI
— Damon Amendolara (@DamonAmendo) September 6, 2025
Mike Gundy leaning a valuable lesson right now:
— Jacob Seliga (@jacob_seliga) September 6, 2025
DON’T GIVE DAN LANNING ANY EXTRA MOTIVATION
Look, Dan Lanning is a master motivator. He is a maniac and a genius. Giving him and his roster extra motivation was the dumbest thing you could possibly do.
— Dane Miller (@DaneMiller_SWS) September 6, 2025
This is nothing new from Lanning. Last season, he turned the hype around the Colorado Buffaloes against them in a blowout win. He is also sensitive to the chatter about money, as Kirby Smart also discovered.
Lanning is 37-6 as Oregon head coach after Saturday’s thrashing. It’s probably a good idea not to give him any bulletin board material, because his program seems to be fueled by it.
