Controversial Call Overturns Crucial Fumble In Oregon vs. Penn State

The No. 6 Oregon Ducks upset No. 3 Penn State Nittany Lions, but a questionable call overturned a fumble by Oregon running back Noah Whittington, and Penn State fans aren't happy. The Nittany Lions recovered the fumble, but the officials determined that Whittington was down after replay review.

Oregon Ducks coach Dan Lanning before the game against the Penn State Nittany Lions | Oregon Ducks on SI's Jake Bunn

The No. 6 Oregon Ducks upset the No. 3 Penn State Nittany Lions 34-20, and a questionable call on an overturned fumble by Oregon running back Noah Whittington looms large after the Oregon win.

Replay Review

Oregon running back Jayden Limar carries the ball as the Oregon Ducks face the Penn State Nittany Lions on Sept. 27, 2025, at Beaver Stadium in University Park, Pennsylvania. | Ben Lonergan/The Register-Guard / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

I still don’t know if I’m being honest. pic.twitter.com/0LhtT8t22K

— Big Cat (@BarstoolBigCat) September 28, 2025

The Nittany Lions recovered the fumble, but the officials determined that Whittington was down after replay review. Penn State was primed to take over possession near midfield after the pivotal fumble, but Oregon instead scored on the next play.

The NBC broadcast showed Whittington's knee "grazed" the ground before fumbling on the second effort. As a result, the play was ruled dead once Whittington was down, returning the ball back to Oregon and nullifying the fumble.

Once the ruling was announced inside the stadium, Penn State fans showered the officials with boos.

After the Ducks win, the replay review on Whittington's fumble is expected to be a hot topic in the coming weeks.

TV showed basically one replay of the knee touching the ground and I'll be honest, it was so razor thin. That play will absolutely be scrutinized for weeks.

— Matt Prehm (@MattPrehm) September 28, 2025

On the next play, Ducks running back Dierre Hill Jr. scored an 8-yard touchdown on a screen pass from quarterback Dante Moore, giving Oregon a 10-3 lead over Penn State in the White Out. The boos continued, and fans continued to boo.

Not only did Penn State fans disagree with the call, but the controversial overturn took away momentum from the Nittany Lions.

Oregon's offense has had success moving the ball against Penn State, but the Ducks had not found the end zone. The controversial call by the officials caused a potential 14-point swing in the top-ranked game.

Oregon Ducks quarterback Dante Moore before the game against the Penn State Nittany Lions | Oregon Ducks on SI's Jake Bunn

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Nittany Lions Offense's Struggles

Penn State quarterback Drew Allar throws a pass as the Oregon Ducks face the Penn State Nittany Lions on Sept. 27, 2025, at Beaver Stadium in University Park, Pennsylvania. | Ben Lonergan/The Register-Guard / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Adding insult to injury, Penn State returned the fumble to midfield before the play was called back. With the Nittany Lions struggling to find a rhythm against Oregon's offense, favorable field position could have sparked a drive for the Nittany Lions. Instead, Oregon's defense forced a punt, and the Penn State offense was booed by its own fans.

Even the Nittany Lions offense was booed by its fans after the Oregon defense forced a punt. Through three quarters, Penn State's offense has 109 total yards with Nittany Lions quarterback Drew Allar logging 62 passing yards.

Penn State's defense kept the Nittany Lions in the game as the Ducks scored their second touchdown in the fourth quarter, putting Penn State in a 14-point deficit. Allar and the Nittany Lions responded with a 35-yard touchdown to Devonte Ross to make it a one-score game.

Penn State stormed back to force overtime, but an interception by Drew Allar ended the game and gave Oregon the win.

Oregon Ducks Upset

Moore showed poise in the pocket throughout the game, successfully moving Oregon down the field. In the second overtime period, Oregon scored on one play, a 25-yard touchdown pass from Moore to receiver Gary Bryant Jr.

The Ducks attempted seven total fourth-down conversions after struggling on third down, and the Nittany Lions kept Oregon out of the end zone in the first half.