It was one of the biggest games at Autzen Stadium in recent memory. College Football Playoff seeding was on the line. A legacy Dillon Gabriel game was at stake.

No. 3 Oregon football (6-0, 3-0 Big Ten) had everything to play for -- and it stepped up under the brightest of lights in a 32-31 victory.

"It’s never about the team that wants it the most. It’s never about the team that just has great emotion. It’s about the team that executes," Oregon head coach Dan Lanning said. "I’m really proud of our guys, but I’m also really excited to figure out what we can go attack and improve. Because the team we are today, October 12, is not going to be the same team we are in December."

The first drive of the game set the tone for what the evening would look like -- chaotic. Many Ducks fans in attendance believed that Buckeyes quarterback Will Howard threw an interception to begin the matchup. Instead, the play didn't even go to review and No. 2 Ohio State (5-1, 2-1 Big Ten) ended the drive with a touchdown.

"I thought there might be a review on the field. I thought they missed that opportunity," Lanning said. "You hate to waste a timeout that early if you’re wrong, with a potential challenge. That is certainly one you hope gets buzzed in when it’s that close and it didn’t.”

Oregon played its biggest game of the season without star defensive end Jordan Burch. The Ducks' defense was motivated in his absence.

Matayo Uiagalelei led the way with three solo tackles, two for a loss, and a sack. Derrick Harmon also finished with three solo tackles and a forced fumble -- which got Oregon its first big stop.

Harmon's fumble recovery paved the way for the first Ducks score of the night. Running back Jordan James followed up a 25-yard rush with a run into the endzone -- Oregon's first of the game. Ducks kicker Atticus Sappington missed his kick attempt to keep the advantage in the Buckeyes' favor.

Wide receiver Evan Stewart caught a 69-yard pass that sparked the Ducks' second touchdown drive of the game. Oregon receiver Traeshon Holden was ejected in the first half after spitting on a Buckeye, making Stewart's performance more critical. Stewart led the team with 149 yards on seven receptions, one in the endzone.

"I didn't want to come in[to the program] and step on no type of toes, but I did want to come in and contribute," Stewart said. "So when I have nights like this, it makes me feel good, because I know that they're probably happy that I could contribute the way I can."

Oregon's Andrew Boyle attempted an onside kick in the second quarter. The ball went off the leg of a Buckeye and Oregon recovered. Sappington hit a 27-yard field goal on the next drive to give the Ducks their first lead, which they took into the locker room.

Ohio State looked fiery right out of the half, scoring a touchdown. The offense stopped there, as it only recorded 10 total second-half points.

Things appeared to be gloomy for Oregon after a turnover on downs at the two-yard line but the Buckeyes had to punt on the next drive after a disastrous fumble.

Then came the signature moment of Gabriel's Ducks career so far.

A 27-yard rush into the endzone kept Oregon's hopes of a top-three win alive. Gabriel recorded 341 passing yards on two touchdown passes and 68% completion to go along with his rushing touchdown. On the other side of the field, Howard finished with 326 yards in the air and two touchdown passes on 80% completion

"This guy's been a part of some games that are really, really big moments," Lanning said. "And even though that stadium is packed you feel like Dillon was out there operating with an empty stadium, like this was Tuesday, like this was another practice."

The Ducks' defense didn't get the stop in time on the Buckeyes second-to-last drive. Ohio State got within field goal range to regain its lead.

But Sappington's big moment finally came and this time, he sent the football through the wickets.

"We were trying to score a touchdown the whole time but we knew it was an advantage to keep the clock running so they’d have to utilize their timeouts and wouldn’t have as many opportunities left out there at the end," Lanning said. "So we were trying to score on that third down play at the goal line, and they were able to get a great stop. So we kicked the field goal and said, let’s play defense.”

With the Buckeyes forced to use enough timeouts on Oregon's final drive, the clock wasn't in Ohio State's favor. Howard's 12-yard rush to the 26-yard line came too late. As his knee hit the ground, time stopped at Autzen.

The Ducks won the biggest matchup of their season. The home fans stormed the field, the Oregon players shouted in celebration and the Buckeyes left Eugene with a loss on their record.

"I just looked at coach Lanning and I seen him take his head headset off and start running to the field," cornerback Jabbar Muhammad said. "So when I seen that, I'm like, 'Dang, we did it. We won.'"

The Ducks head into next week's date with Purdue without any blemishes on their record. They'll look to continue their longest winning streak to open a season since 2013.