In the brief Dan Lanning era the Ducks are 0-3 in rivalry games, losing by 3, 4 and 3 points. In those they've had 6 Red Zone possessions that resulted in 0 points and they've gone 3-12 on 4th downs.
Rivalry games are different. They tend to be close and tense. Points are precious. Field position matters more.
In all three of those games they led in the 4th quarter, outgained the opponent and won or tied in the turnover battle. As a team they must learn to finish these out--be two plays better, make better decisions and reads.
Decisions have a different weight in rivalry games, particularly because momentum swings are more powerful. By the 4th quarter the Ducks had quieted Husky Stadium. The failed fourth down gave the opponent life.
When a coach makes big decisions in critical moments, he has to know more than the math. He has to know how his team will respond and what's going to work. And he has to have the wisdom to learn from his own mistakes.
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