EUGENE, Ore. — The Oregon Ducks left no doubt about who reigns supreme in the Pacific Northwest, steamrolling Oregon State 31-7 in the highly anticipated rivalry game Saturday night at Autzen Stadium.
From the first whistle, the Ducks played with purpose and poise, silencing a Beavers team that came into the game with hopes of pulling off an upset. Oregon quarterback Jalen Daniels lit up the OSU defense, throwing for 287 yards and two touchdowns, while also adding a rushing score that electrified the home crowd.
Running back Malik Benson added 104 yards on the ground, including a 42-yard touchdown sprint late in the third quarter that put the game out of reach. Wide receiver Zion Hart made headlines with a spectacular one-handed catch in the second quarter, drawing comparisons to some of college football’s all-time great grabs.
But it wasn’t just the offense that shined. The Ducks’ defense dominated the line of scrimmage and held Oregon State to just 192 total yards. Junior linebacker Roman Tuiasa-Sopo led the team with 11 tackles and a sack, while cornerback Derrick James snagged a key interception early in the fourth quarter.
The 31-7 win marks Oregon’s largest margin of victory over OSU since 2013 and extends their home winning streak to 14 games. It also keeps their undefeated season alive, improving to 11-0 and solidifying their hold on the No. 1 ranking in both major national polls.
“This game means everything to us,” head coach Dan Lanning said after the win. “We talked all week about protecting our house and playing for the name on the front of the jersey — the guys bought in, and they delivered.”
Photos from the game show jubilant celebrations on the Oregon sideline, a sea of yellow and green in the stands, and moments of frustration for the Beavers, who drop to 7-4 on the season. Despite the loss, OSU head coach Jonathan Smith credited Oregon for their execution and acknowledged the gap between the two programs on this particular night.
The Ducks now turn their attention to the Big Ten Championship game, where they’re expected to face a surging Penn State squad. With the playoffs just weeks away, the win over OSU not only cements Oregon’s supremacy in the rivalry — it also keeps their national championship dreams alive.
For fans, players, and alumni alike, Saturday’s win wasn’t just another W — it was a statement. And in the world of college football, statements like these echo deep into December.
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