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Watch: Ohio State loses on baffling mistake to end game
Ohio State QB Will Howard walks off the field after his team's loss to Oregon Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Watch: Ohio State loses on baffling mistake to end game

Situational awareness can be the difference between winning and losing in sports. The No. 2 Ohio State Buckeyes found that out on Saturday night in a thrilling 32-31 loss to the No. 3 Oregon Ducks.

With the Buckeyes trying to work their way into field-goal range for a potential game-winning kick, they found themselves with with a 3rd-and-20 at the Oregon 38-yard line and only six seconds to play. Instead of bringing out the field-goal unit for a 55-yard field goal, they tried to run one more play to get a few yards closer. With a timeout still at their disposal, it was certainly possible.

Quarterback Will Howard was unable to immediately find an open receiver and instead of just throwing the ball away decided to scramble up the middle for 12 yards. The play took entirely too long and as he slid to try and end the play and call timeout the clock expired and Ohio State ran out of time.

Have a look.

Howard simply lost track of how much time was remaining and how long the play was taking. You can not blame the Buckeyes for trying to run another play, because the odds of a college kicker making that field goal in that environment are probably not high. It just did not work out as anybody on the Ohio State sidelines planned. 

Adam Gretz

Adam Gretz is a freelance writer based in Pittsburgh. He covers the NHL, NFL, MLB and NBA. Baseball is his favorite sport -- he is nearly halfway through his goal of seeing a game in every MLB ballpark. Catch him on Twitter @AGretz

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