EUGENE, Ore. -- It was a game befitting the biggest Civil War in the 113-year history of the series.
And when the back-and-forth tumult at frenzied Autzen Stadium ended, Oregon was on top of a 37-33 final score.
The Ducks are going to the Rose Bowl to face Ohio State on Jan. 1.
It's come full circle for Oregon, from the disaster at Boise State to perhaps the biggest win in team history.
Full circle? LeGarrette Blount, whose meltdown at Boise further humiliated the Ducks on the opening week, scored on a 12-yard touchdown run, seeing his first action since he was suspended.
But this one was more about his replacement, redshirt freshman LaMichael James, who scored three touchdowns and rushed for 166 yards, and quarterback Jeremiah Masoli, who ran over Beavers safety Lance Mitchell to convert a fourth-and-3 play from the Beavers' 33 with 3:41 left, perhaps the biggest play of the game.
While it won't feel like much consolation, the Beavers certainly showed up. This one was a far cry from the 65-38 whipping last year.
Obviously, I'll have more later when I get through in the postgame locker rooms.
