A quick glance at the Oregon State – Oregon box score and not the scoreboard might make the game feel close. But the Oregon Ducks flew away with a win at home against the Oregon State Beavers, 49-21.
The box score looked interesting. OSU quarterback Sean Mannion finished 27-for-44 passing with 299 yards and three touchdowns – the yardage put him at 3,328 on the season, the third-best single-season mark in team history. Oregon running back LaMichael James ran for 139 yards and a touchdown – before leaving with what appeared to be a left elbow injury.
But Darron Thomas passed for 294 yards and four touchdowns – and that was the difference.
The Ducks (10-2, 8-1 Pac-12) will host UCLA on Friday night with a chance to win their third straight conference title and a spot in the Rose Bowl. The Beavers (3-9, 3-6) aren’t going to a bowl game for the second straight season.
Oregon used their spread offense and speed to wear out the Oregon State defense. By the final whistle, Oregon had gained 615 yards and scored seven times. Though, Oregon’s James was held scoreless until found the end zone on a 1-yard run less than four minutes into the game.
The Beavers (3-9 overall, 3-6 Pac-12) held on early, after the Ducks failed to convert on three fourth down attempts. The Beavers managed to tie the game at seven when Mannion found a wide open Jovan Stevensonin for a 58-yard touchdown pass. It was the third-longest scoring play of the season for the Beavers.
It only woke the Ducks from their slumber. They scored the next 35 points, and never looked back.
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