Lanning points to 'lack of leadership' for Oregon's start - ESPN

Two days after then-No. 6 Oregon fell to unranked Oklahoma State in the biggest upset of this college football season to date, Ducks coach Dan Lanning said Monday that there has been a «lack of leadership» across his team through two games.

«And that starts with me,» Lanning said.

On Saturday, Lanning reacted to his team's lackluster performance by saying, «We got our ass kicked in a lot of areas.» After watching the film, Lanning did not hold back on his assessment of Oregon's effort in a 39-31 loss.

«It really looks very similar to what it felt like on the field,» Lanning said. «We did not perform at any level that was winning football.… Sometimes you've got to learn hard lessons through hard performances, and this is — you know, this is by far the worst performance that we've had since I've been here.»

The Ducks, who struggled to beat Boise State in Week 1, were outgained by the Cowboys 554-281 and mustered only 90 yards on the ground. Penalties again plagued them, as they committed seven for 66 yards. Once the Cowboys grabbed the lead in the fourth quarter, the ensuing three drives for Oregon's potent offense came up empty.

Oregon also was 0-for-3 on fourth-down conversions, including a controversial decision by Lanning to go for it on fourth-and-8 at the Ducks' 33-yard line. On Monday, Lanning said he regretted going for it. The failed conversion all but sealed his team's fate.

«Wrong decision on my part,» Lanning said. «So I learned, too.»

Amid chatter that quarterback Dante Moore has been tipping run or pass plays with his pre-snap stance, Lanning said the Ducks also have to do a better job policing and improving that. Asked why Moore had not spoken to reporters after the loss, Lanning became animated.

«Did you