Oregon Ducks Emerge Victorious In Civil War; Earn Rose Bowl Berth

Sports News - December 4th, 2009 - Written by Jimmy

Not since the 1860's has a "civil war" had more meaning than when Oregon and Oregon State took the field Thursday night in a "winner take all" battle.

Often games like this do not live up the the media hype, but these two teams did not disappoint. For the first time in the rivalries storied history, the winner of the game would take the PAC 10 title and play in the Rose Bowl on January 1st.

Oregon State came to Auzten Stadium looking for its first Rose Bowl appearance since 1964, but that is going to have to wait for at least one more year.

For the second year in a row, Oregon crushed the Beavers dreams of winning the conference and playing in Pasadena beating them 37-33.

In a classic rivalry, this game came down to the final minutes in which Oregon held off the Beavers to win the game, but failing to cover the 5 1/2 point spread, according to the College Football Odds. Online sportsbooks like Bodog had the over/under for the game set at 49 1/2 points, a mark which was surpassed in the 3rd quarter.

Behind 288 yards of rushing, the Oregon offense was able outlast a stingy Beaver team on a cold night in Eugene, Ore.

Freshman LaMichael James ran for 166 yards and three touchdowns, sending the Ducks to their first Rose Bowl since the 1994 season.

Making his return this game was Oregon RB LaGarrette Blount. Blount was suspended by the team following an incident after the first game of the year in which he punched a Boise State player and went after fans following a loss. Since being suspended for eight games, Blount had met specific academic and behavioral criteria, as determined by Oregon Head Coach Chip Kelly, which allowed him to resume his College football career.

Thursday night he got the chance in the Duck's biggest game of the year. In the third quarter with the Ducks trailing by nine, Blount entered the game on what would be a crucial drive. He started the drive with a two-yard run, and capped it off with a 12-yard touchdown run bringing Oregon back to being only down by 2.

The Ducks regained the lead in the third quarter when James busted loose for a 52-yard touchdown putting them in front 34-33. After they added a field goal with 10:13 remaining in the game, it was a matter of the Oregon defense containing star Beaver running back Jacquizz Rogers.

OSU RB Jacquizz Rogers was held to only 64 yards rushing and one score, a key for the Oregon defense.

The Oregon offense took control of the ball with just over six minutes to go in the game and never looked back. Converting on two critical fourth down conversions during the game's final drive, Oregon QB Jerimiah Masoli was able to take a knee and run out the clock.

As the clock on the scoreboard showed all zeros, the Ducks players and fans threw up their hands clutching roses in the cold night air.

"I think our team was always capable of this greatness," said Masoli in a press conference after the game. Masoli ended with one touchdown pass and 201-yards passing.

It is difficult to imagine Oregon celebrating a long awaited return to the Rose Bowl after beginning the season with such a poor performance against Boise State. In a twist of fate, it is fitting that exactly three months to the day, the embattled Ducks capped off a dream season, and suddenly September 3rd, seems like a lifetime ago.

"They never doubted themselves," Oregon Head Coach Chip Kelly said after the game. "They never flinched."