The No. 6 Oregon Ducks convincingly triumphed over their arch-rivals, No. 16 Oregon State, in what marks the final Pac-12 showdown between the two teams. As the game concluded, so did a tradition dating back to 1894. The dissolution of the Pac-12, with Oregon and Oregon State among the programs departing the conference, leaves the future of this historic rivalry uncertain.
Turning to the game itself, one could argue that the dominance Oregon displayed against Oregon State wasn’t fully reflected in the final score. The Ducks initiated the game with an impressive 88-yard drive lasting nearly nine minutes, culminating in a touchdown. This set the tone for the remainder of the game, as Oregon consistently punished the Beavers with prolonged offensive possessions that significantly fatigued the OSU defense. The Ducks didn’t even punt until the fourth quarter, when the game was firmly in their control.
Photo Cred: Oregon Live
Bo Nix delivered another Heisman-worthy performance, amassing 367 yards passing and three total touchdowns. Assisting Nix were star receivers Tez Johnson and Troy Franklin, finishing with 137 and 128 yards respectively. While the Ducks’ offense was impressive, significant credit is due to their defense. They compelled Oregon State QB DJ Uiagalelei to throw two interceptions, one in the end zone on a crucial play that could have shifted the momentum of the game.
Equally effective was their containment of the Beavers’ formidable running duo of Uiagalelei and Damien Martinez. Martinez, who entered the game averaging an impressive 104.3 yards, concluded with only 38 yards. Meanwhile, Uiagalelei rushed for a mere 13 yards. Oregon State finished with only 53 rushing yards and 273 total yards compared to Oregon’s 480.
Photo Cred: SI
With this victory, the Ducks have secured their spot in the Pac-12 championship game in Vegas, setting up a rematch with Michael Penix Jr. and the Washington Huskies. The Huskies are the only team to hand the Ducks a loss this season in a thrilling game in Seattle. Oregon State coach Jonathan Smith has already accepted a position at Michigan State for the next season, signaling the Beavers’ imminent search for a new head coach.
