Dan Lanning shares the key to Oregon carrying momentum from 2024 season

The 2024 season was a monumental one for Dan Lanning at Oregon. Entering a new conference with some of college football’s top brands, the Ducks were able to go through their 12-game schedule undefeated before winning the Big Ten Championship. Yes, a better performance in the College Football Playoff might be desired but overall, a ton of momentum is currently inside the building.

Now, the goal is to take 2024’s success and make sure it shows up in 2025. Lanning believes everything starts with the players and how they approach the upcoming campaign. A new standard appears to have been set at Oregon, with expectations present to make sure goals are met.

“I think it starts with some of the standards that our players have set,” Lanning said via Always College Football. “They start to develop ownership of what’s happened here in the past. I mean, you remember being a part of great teams and all of a sudden, it’s like ‘No, this is how we do it. This is what we do.’ And our players are really carrying on that mantra heading into this season while also realizing last season has nothing to do with the next one. Which makes it fun.”

Oregon has heralded itself as a top program in the sport for a while now. But going into the Big Ten and walking away with a first-year conference championship cements their status. Lanning saw his team beat Ohio State and Michigan during the regular season, while taking down Penn State in Indianapolis. Those three have consistently been atop the Big Ten in recent seasons.

However, you have to believe if momentum is going to carry over, postseason success is the goal. Oregon got beat handily by Ohio State in the Rose Bowl, making them a one-and-done in the College Football Playoff. A tough matchup for the No. 1 overall seed but the Ducks were down 34-8 going into the locker room before ultimately losing 41-21.

As Lanning said, last season has nothing to do with the upcoming one. This is true of both the success of going 12-0 and winning a Big Ten title and taking a tough postseason loss. Flushing everything out is key to make sure 100% focus is on the task at hand.

Oregon will get to showcase itself again on Aug. 30, hosting Montana State in the opener. Oklahoma State will then make a trip up to the Pacific Northwest for a big-time nonconference showdown.