The Ducks were opportunistic and relentless in spoiling a perfect season for the Stanford Cardinal, winning 53-30 on a soggy grass field in Stanford Stadium.
They picked off Andrew Luck twice, Mr. Heads Up Boseko Lokombo gathering in a bobble off the hands of Stanford freshman Ty Montgomery and returning it 40 yards for Oregon’s final score.
The Heisman Trophy candidate on the field tonight was Oregon’s LaMichael James, who rushed 20 times for 146 yards and three touchdowns, including a 58-yard td scamper in the second quarter.
The Ducks scored first on a Darron Thomas pass to Lavasier Tuinei in the right corner of the end zone, went for two on a trick play, a pass to long snapper Jeff Palmer to lead 8-0, and never trailed.
Oregon’s speed was the difference. On the doctored field they had scoring plays of 58, 41, 59, and 40 yards.
With the win, and a loss at home by Boise State to TCU, another field goal wide right as time expired, the Ducks should move to #4 or #5 in the BCS standings. LSU and Oklahoma State will be one and two.
The Ducks have the inside track to the Rose Bowl with two games left to play, the only undefeated team in conference play. A win over 8-2 USC, at home in Autzen next Saturday at 5 p.m. on ABC, clinches the right to host the conference championship game, with the prize being a third straight PAC-12 title and a trip to Pasadena for the Granddaddy of Them All.
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