Oregon head coach Dan Lanning used an unorthodox approach in motivating his team for its game against Wisconsin at Camp Randall Stadium on Nov. 16.
Throughout the Ducks' week of preparation, Lanning routinely played House of Pain's 'Jump Around' to pump up his team. In Oregon's team meeting to begin the week, Lanning bluntly opened with a message surrounding how his team should manage the moment.
"They think it will evoke a response from you, right," Lanning asked his players. "In this game, and throughout this week, you're going to hear this song, and it's going to release dopamine in your mind. It's gonna tell you that you are hungry to go eat. Whenever we hear this, I want our temperature to change. I want the temperature of the room to change. When you hear it at practice, I want you to say to yourselves, **** is about to get serious."
That type of assessment is something Lanning has fully embraced while in Eugene, Oregon. The former defensive coordinator and linebackers coach at Georgia is one of the best motivators across the college football landscape.
That intensity also appears to be working with this version of the Ducks.
"I don't want you to be relaxed in that moment," Lanning said. "I want you to start jumping around. I want you guys to enjoy the moment. When it shows up, take advantage of it. Turn that switch in your mind."
That's exactly what Oregon's entire squad did at Camp Randall. When the student section race ended and the House of Pain's tune began, players could be seen jubilant on the sidelines.
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Oregon faced a 4th-and-9 from Wisconsin's 41-yard-line trailing 13-6 during the quarter break. The Ducks outscored the Badgers 10-0 from there on out, starting with a critical fourth-down conversion on the first play of the quarter.
In a tough atmosphere, the Ducks' mentality and ability to capitalize late in the contest proved the difference.
Oregon now looks like they will enter the College Football Playoff as the No. 1 seed. The Badgers, meanwhile, are in dire need of a reboot after firing offensive coordinator Phil Longo.
The Badgers' first chance for a forward step comes on Saturday at Nebraska.