Reflecting Where Would You Place the tOSU Loss? (Very Long Post)

[AnotherOD]

So, been reading a lot of thoughts and reactions to the Rose Bowl against tOSU.

 

Started following the Ducks closely enough since 1993; and, as tough as the game was, it only hit about loss number 10 on my Duck anguish list. Not sure why?

 

Maybe because the game was over quickly, maybe I've gotten slightly less invested with the changes to college football in recent years (NIL, transfer portal, historical conference collapse, tv network schenanigans, etc.), maybe the losses just get a bit easier over time, maybe where the program has risen to where the stakes don't quite seem as grand (trying to get there as a program and not fall back versus being to a degree at least closer to "arrived")?

 

Wonder where others are at?

 

So, I pulled out my trusty Oregon historical scores and put together my list of the 25 worse Duck football losses since 1993. I actually came up with over 30, so my Top 25 has 32 (I guess to match 32 seasons since 1993)?

 

32. UTAH I (2021):  7-38

 

Ducks came in 9-1 and ranked #4, having won 5 in a row, with still a shot at the playoffs. Fell behind 14-0 but had a chance to take it half with that score, but allowed a late 1:35 minute 77 yard TD drive with 0:27 left in the half. The offense then went 3 and out only using 11 seconds of clock. Mario kicks to future NFL WR Britain Covey (who led the NCAA in punt return yards that season) and he goes 78 yards for a TD and it is 28-0 all of a sudden. Oregon never gets in the game, ending up 38-7 with under 300 yards of offense.

 

31. PENN STATE (1994 Rose Bowl):  20-38

 

I imagine some might have this game a bit lower, but back in 1994, to me this was a bit of David versus Goliath; and, with the remarkable run the team put on that season, a competitive loss wouldn't have seemed like a huge disappointment. After Ki-Jana Carter goes 83 yards for a TD on the first play from scrimmage, it looked a bit dicey; but, the Ducks battle back and actually get to 14-14 in the 3rd before a key interception and the Ducks run out of gas. Danny O'Neal throws a whopping 41-61 passes for 456 yards.

 

30. STANFORD (2021):  24-31 (OT)

 

Oregon was 4-0 and with their win at tOSU was ranked #3. Moorhead was ill (and absent). Oregon trailed early but had taken a lead and punted Stanford down to their 13 yard line with 1:59 left. Two false starts in a row left Stanford at their own 4 with 1:44 left. Stanford then drives 96 yards to tie the game as time expires, aided by 3 calls against the defense (a P.F., a roughing the passes, a P.I.) all 3 many felt were pretty dubious (Oregon wins the next 5 and without that loss would have reached the Utah game instead 10-0 and likely #2).

 

29. OREGON STATE (2022):  34-38

 

34-17 seventeen point Duck lead after a Duck FG to start the 4th quarter. OSU gets a long KO return then scores a TD on 3 runs. Oregon gets a decent KO return but a holding puts them back to their 8, they stall, the punter drops the punt and OSU recovers at the Duck 2 and in two more rushes scores again. Up 3, Oregon goes for it on 4th and 1 from their own 29 and gets stuffed and OSU takes over and scores in 4 rushes to lead 38-34. Oregon drives all the way to the OSU 5, then fails to score in 4 plays and OSU takes over on downs with 2:58 remaining. With 6 more rushes, OSU runs out the clock. 15 straight rushes by OSU to win it.

 

28. STANFORD (2018):  31-38 (OT)

 

This one is often sited as Oregon fans first proper introduction to the Mario era 4 games in. Oregon is up 31-28 running out the clock with about 0:51 seconds remaining at the Stanford 40 and it is 2nd and 3 and Stanford is down to one timeout. Take a knee on 3rd and it is 4th down with under 10 seconds. Oregon  instead runs between the tackles and fumbles and Stanford drives 46 yards to kick a game tying FG as time expires. Stanford scores first in OT and a Herbert interception ends the game.

 

27. USC (2005):  13-45

 

#1 USC versus #24 Oregon. USC was coming off a National Championship and had won 24 straight games. Oregon jumped out 13-0, before being outscored 45-0. Oregon actually finishes the season 10-1 but doesn't seem to be taken too seriously (only climbing back into the Top 10 late in the year). USC was great that year but it was a frustrating game IMO for many Duck fans because it seemed like Oregon wasn't 45-13 worse than USC that day. Once USC got it going, they received what many felt were some favorable calls, including an Oregon TD taken off the board with a questionable block below the knees. Oregon had gone 5-6 the previous year, starting off 3-0 in 2005, a "measuring stick" game at home that slipped way away.

 

26. BYU (2006 Vegas Bowl): 8-38

 

BYU entered the game 9-2 and ranked #20 and Oregon was 7-5 and on a three game losing streak. However, BYU was Mountain West and Oregon Pac-10 and it was Oregon who got most of the attention in the game lead up (Bellotti I believe even got into a bit of hot water for some pregame comments about where BYU might slot if it was to play instead in the Pac-10). Oregon looked unmotivated and underprepared falling behind 31-0. Duck OL Geoff Schwartz later recalled: "While they're sleeping, we were partying." Also along with coach Bellotti called the poor performance "program changing" (as a wake up call).

 

25. ARIZONA (2013):  21-44

 

Eleven games into the Helfrich era, probably the first real game that showed there might be more serious problems post Chip Kelly. Oregon was behind 35-9 in the third. Ka'Deem Carey rushed a whopping 48 times for 206 yards and 4 TDs as UA rushed for 304 yards on the day. 9-1 Oregon commits 3 TOs in route to its second loss.

 

24. COLORADO (1995 Cotton Bowl):  6-38

 

#7 Colorado (9-2) versus #12 Oregon (9-2). Coming off the Rose Bowl the year prior, Oregon had a shot at its first 10 win season and first top 10 finish. Oregon brought a reported 14,000 fans to Colorado's 6,000 to a cold and rainy Dallas. With a 7-6 score in the second, Tony Graziani throws a pick returned 95 yards for a Buffalo TD. Oregon goes on to commit 5 TOs. With 5 minutes to go leading 32-6 and running 7 straight times, on 4th down Colorado coach Rick Neuheisel calls a fake punt for a 28 yard pass catch.  When Bellotti expresses some displeasure with the call and sportsmanship in the post game, Neuheisel responds, "Scoreboard baby".

 

23. UTAH II (2021):  10-38

 

The Mario has a foot out the door Pac-12 Championship game. Even with losing the first matchup, Oregon was still ranked #10 and Utah #17. For a second game, Oregon is essentially uncompetitve falling behind 23-0 at half and 38-3 in the 4th. Oregon only manages 221 yards of offense (and really doesn't seem to change much from the loss 13 days prior).

 

22. LSU (2011):  27-40

 

Coming off a BCS Championship birth, it was #3 versus #4 in the opener. The game was 16-13 into the 3rd. Oregon was banged up at WR and was struggling to put together drives, so it inserted DAT to his first college game. He fumbles at the Oregon 24 and LSU quickly scores. He then fumbles the kickoff and LSU quickly scores and the game goes to 30-16 in about 5 minutes of clock.

 

This was all after Oregon survived a Kenjon Barner fumble of a punt at its own 3 which Tyrann Mathieu returned for a score in the first half. 4 Oregon turnovers and LSU scores 40 with 273 yards of offense (to Oregon's 335). The national narrative is Oregon again gets beat up by a big tough SEC team, when really it was a close and competitive game much of the way, decided in large part by TOs (and short fields).

 

21. OHIO STATE (2014 NC): 20-42

 

Disappointing but hard to really feel tOSU wasn't a bit more loaded that year. Couple that with Oregon scoring its fewest points in a game for the season (almost 4 TDs below its average) and allowing the most on defense all season (42), a tough recipe for a win. Oregon had a couple opportunities early (and at least 2 big drops); but, never really seemed to get after Cardale Jones (as it had gotten after Cam Newton in 2010); or, had an answer for Elliott and his 246 yards and 4 TDs. Lots of injuries too just adding up making a title run just that much tougher: Addison, Allen, Carrington (suspension), Johnstone, Yruretagoyena (retired), Fisher, Ekpre-Olomu, etc., etc.

 

20.  OREGON STATE (1998):  41-44 (OT)

 

Simonton 16 yards around the end to the endzone for a TD in OT and OSU fans rush the field for a second time, as Oregon has what once looked like a possibly special season end the regular season with a 3rd loss (team never looks quite the same with two key RB injuries). OSU gets its fifth win that year completing its best season since 1971. Two years later OSU is rolling ND in the Fiesta Bowl 41-9.

 

19.  WASHINGTON (2002):  14-42

 

14-14 at half, UW outscores Oregon, who was still rated #23 at kickoff, 28-0 and Neuheisel and his players dance at midfield on the O at Autzen. Cody Pickett throws for 316 yards and 4 TDs and Reggie Williams catches 3 TDs.

 

18. BOISE STATE (2009):  8-19

 

First game of the Chip Kelly era. Zero points and zero first downs in the first half (only time Oregon doesn't go 3 and out is when Blount is tackled for a safety). Oregon ends up with 8 points, 6 first downs, and 152 yards of offense.  Boise State actually finishes 14-0 and #4 in the country and Oregon turns the season around and makes the Rose Bowl. Still a tough loss at the time (and after the Boise State loss the previous year).

 

17. AUBURN (2010 NC):  19-22

 

I am sure many would rank this lower as well, this perhaps another case where the other team might be a bit more loaded; or, perhaps over the course of the game was more successful playing to their strengths. Too long a layoff for both teams and both looked off early. Auburn does lead most of the game (and as much as I hate to say it, even if Dyer was down, Auburn would have been like 2nd and 5 from their own 45 with 1:55 and timeouts, about 30 yards from solid FG range with a kicker, Wes Byrum, that was 32 for 38 his last two years at Auburn). Loved Aliotti's game plan and how the defense got after it. Running at Auburn had gone poorly for teams all year, field didn't help, absolutely overall got hosed in the officiating.

 

16. WASHINGTON I (2023):  33-36

 

#3 Oregon versus #5 UW in Seattle. Most likely remember, 4th and 3 at the UW 47, with 2:11 left, a first probably wins the game. Nix misses a tough throw (to Tez I think), and the UW turns around and completes a 35 then 18 yard pass for a score and lead. UO drives down to tie but ends up missing on its last 2 passes then a 43 yard FG. UO wins most of the statistical battle, 541 yards to 415 and 31 FDs to 24 FDs, and +1 in TOs.

 

15. ARIZONA STATE (2002):  42-45

 

This one ranks up there IMO because Oregon had finished a unanimous #2 in the country the prior year at 11-1 with the Fiesta Bowl win and started the next season 6-0 and were ranked #6, and the wheels came off that day at Autzen. Oregon jumped out 21-0 mid second quarter and then sophmore ASU QB Andrew Walter proceeded to pick Oregon apart in a way fans had become unaccustomed to seeing, throwing for a then Pac-10 record 536 yards and 4 TDs, as ASU outscored Oregon 45-21. Oregon attempted a late game comback, ended with a Fife pick. Oregon had won 24 out of its last 26 prior to kickoff.

 

14. STANFORD (2013):  20-26

 

Under Helfrich, Oregon had started 8-0 and and #3 and was averaging 55.5 points per game (yes 55.5 points per game). Stanford was 7-1 and #5. In the 4th quarter it was behind 26-0. With the offense sputtering all night, Mariota, nursing a sore knee, attempted a bit of a come back (aided by an onside kick recovery and a 40 yard FG blocked and returned for a TD by Rodney Hardrick); but, ultimately were held to 312 yards of offense, -2 TOs, and 20 points.

 

13. CALIFORNIA (1993): 41-42

 

After an Independence Bowl loss the previous year, Oregon jumped out 3-0 and travelled to #17 Cal. It came out firing and built a 30-0 lead. Cal then proceeded to perform the then 2nd greatest comeback in D1 football history. Cal scored the winning TD with 1:17 left with a 26 yard TD to Iheanyi Uwaezuoke then a 2 point coversion in the corner of the endzone by Mike Caldwell. Danny O'Neal for Oregon completed 17 passes for 313 yards and 3 TDs, Derrick Deadwiler caught 11 of those for 234 yards. Post game coach Brooks, "It's got to rank up there with one of the toughest defeats in my life."

 

 

12.  WASHINGTON (2016):  21-70

 

Maybe the game that sealed Helfrich's fate? Second most points allowed in Oregon history (it gave up 71 at Texas in 1941). Jake Browning threw for 6 TDs and ran for 2 more. Myles Gaskin rushed for 197 yards and a TD. Washington piles up 682 yards of offense with 378 rushing yards.

 

11. TCU (2015 Alamo Bowl):  41-47 (3 OT)

 

#11 TCU versus #15 Oregon. TCU suspended its starting QB and Oregon and Vernon Adams jumped all over them 31-0 in the 1st half, outgaining them 376 yards to 142. Adams did collide helmets with a TCU LB and was out for the second half. TCU then outscored Oregon 31-0 in the second half to force OT. Oregon's second half offense was listed at 18 plays for 18 yards, while it was TCU that had 356. TCU scores 6 in the 3rd OT while Oregon fumbles on 3rd and 2, forcing a 4th and 8 where Lockie misses Carrington ending the game.

 

10. OHIO STATE (2024 Rose Bowl):  21-41

 

34-0 to start, 34-8 at half. 500 yards to 276. Jeremiah Smith 7 for 187 and 2 TDs. I did read the other day Oregon's 21 points still is the second most scored on tOSU this year (to Oregon's 32 in the first matchup).

 

9. WASHINGTON II (2023): 31-34

 

#3 UW versus #5 UO. Since the first game, Oregon had looked improved and the UW had some clunkers. Oregon was as much as a 9.5 point favorite. After a slow start, Oregon actually took a 24-20 lead late in the 3rd. The UW scores two straight TDs in the 4th, Oregon gets a late 63 yard TD from Holden but can't get the onsides kick. Penix throws for 319, Dillon Johnson rushes for 152 and two scores, and both McMillan and Odunze go over 100 receiving. Much like the first game, the UW's "star" players seem to have better days than Oregon's.

 

8. WSU (2003):  16-55

 

"Rich Cool, 4-0" the previous week (beating #3 Michigan 31-27). Following week defending Pac-10 and #21 ranked WSU came to Autzen and were up 38-2 at half. After having no interceptions on the season, Clemens throws 4 picks and Fife throws 3 and Oregon fumbles twice for 9 turnovers. Oregon adds 12 penalties. WSU "only" needs 399 yards of offense to put up 55.

 

7. ARIZONA (2007):  24-34

 

It started so well with a 39 yard TD run from Dennis Dixon. Dixon's knee buckles and Oregon's possible trip to the National Championship game and even a possible Dixon Heisman do as well. UA's Antoine Cason has a punt return for a TD and an interception return for a TD. Oregon goes on to lose 0-16 the next week to UCLA, putting up a total of 148 yards of offense and 4 TOs.

 

6.  CALIFORNIA (2007):  24-31

 

4-0 #6 Cal versus 4-0 #11 Oregon. Gameday in Eugene. Expected fireworks don't show up early and UO leads 10-3 at half. Cal behind Longshore and DeSean Jackson (11 catches for 161 and 2 TDs) takes a late 31-24 lead. Oregon roars down the field in 9 plays in 1:17 to the Cal 5. Cam Colvin catches a pass with 0:22 seconds left and reaches for the endzone and the ball comes out and if fumbled through the endzone and the game ends. Cal is later headed to the #1 spot in the country when it has to insert its back QB Kevin Riley against OSU who in position to score, scrambles too long and goes down and Cal, with no timeouts, can't get its FG team on for a short FG to tie.

 

5. USC (2011):  35-38

 

#2 Oklahoma State had lost earlier in the day and #4 Oregon was in position to move to #3 if it beat #18 USC at Autzen. LeBron was throwing passes to Carmelo on the sidelines in the pregame. Oregon falls behind 21-7 at half on a chilly evening. Oregon gets a late score from David Paulson and a 2 point conversion to Tuinei. USC drives down the field running out the clock and gets to the Oregon 11 with 2:31 left. Marc Tyler fumbles and Oregon recovers and drives 66 yards to about the USC 20. With about 0:20 left Oregon appears to settle for setting up a 37 yard FG to tie. Maldonado misses.

 

4. STANFORD (2001):  42-49

 

Oregon's only loss in its #2 ranked finish of the 2001 season. Stanford trails 42-28 into the 4th and outscores Oregon 21-0 in the 4th by converting one of two blocked punts, an interception, and an onside kick into 3 scores. The interception comes on 3rd and 2 from Oregon's own 30 with 4:20 on the clock with Oregon holding on 42-41. Oregon mounts a late drive to the Stanford 37 but 4 straight incompletions end the game.

 

3. OREGON STATE (2000):  13-23

 

#5 UO versus #8 OSU. Oregon wins and it returns to the Rose Bowl, a loss and it drops all the way to the Holiday Bowl. Harrington entered the game 13-1 as a starter but throws 5 interceptions (3 to Jake Cookus). Oregon ends up with 6 TOs and 12 penalties for 132 yards. Oregon outgains OSU 471 to 399 and 27 FD to 22 but OSU connects on a couple early scores and builds a 17-0 first half lead Oregon can't overcome.

 

2. STANFORD (2012):  14-17 (OT)

 

Probably Oregon's best Chip Kelly team, sitting at #2 at 10-0 with a probable National Championship date with ND waiting (tOSU was ineligible due to Tressel investigation). Ertz lands out of bounds in the back of the endzone with 1:35 remaining. The officiating booth decides to reofficiate the play rather than look for conclusive visual evidence to change the call. Stanford wins in OT as Maldonado misses a 41 yarder and Stanford's 37 yarder is good. Oregon wins the Fiesta and finishes #2 AP.

 

1. UCLA (1998):  38-41 (OT)

 

#2 UCLA (4-0) versus #11 Oregon (5-0). After Oregon's improbable Rose Bowl run in 1994, three seasons had passed and Oregon looked to be prepared to burst back upon the scene.

Akili Smith, Rueben Droughns, Tony Hartley, Damon Griffin, Jed Weaver lead a dangerous skill position group putting up 50.6 points per game and 540 yards. Droughns himself was averaging 165 yards rushing per game at 7.4 ypc. UCLA was on a 14 game winning streak and lead 24-7 at half. Oregon scored 24 straight to lead 31-24 into the 4th.

 

UCLA went back ahead 38-31 but Oregon tied it 38-38 with a Griffin 2 yard TD pass with 0:22 seconds left. Oregon took consecutive sacks in OT for -12 yards then threw an incompletion then a desperation interception. UCLA won it with a FG. Game is partially remembered for Drougns battling for 172 yards on 25 carries; but, played late into the game on a broken leg (he misses the rest of the season). He loses 3 fumbles, all which lead to UCLA TDs and Oregon ends up with 5 TOs. UCLA has a FG blocked and missed another from 21. At the end of the game UCLA head coach Bob Toledo comments, "Wow, that should be worth two wins."

 

[Annie]

My head spins at the thought of ranking beyond 3 games, so I'd put this year's Rose Bowl at #3 behind losing to (1) AUBURN (2010 NC), because that game was so close, and (2) TCU (2015 Alamo Bowl), because, well, the Ducks needed to RUN THE BALL (as in, run out the clock) in the second half, as was suggested by many, including the Duck players.

 

That said, in regard to this year's Rose Bowl, well, sometimes crap happens, and in that game it happened to us. A Bad Day at Black Rock.

[1Ducker1]

Ha you mentioned the 2007 Cal game. I went full goose bozo after that loss. Charles would have kicked me off the board in less than 2 minutes. The Stanford loss in 2012 or 2013? where DAT didnt block out fot MM was the other tough one. Then there is ANY LOSS to the Fuskies.

[30Duck]

In terms of never getting over it, creating chills just thinking about it, 2012 Stanford & NC Auburn 2010 are leaps above any other games on the list. 2025 Rose Bowl goes into the trash heap, along with a movie, "Eye of the Beholder" that I was actually glad to have had a screeching migraine during, it was so bad.  Cameron Colvin does have a select place in my memory, is he a "Once a Duck, Always a Duck"?

[Mike West]

I just don't get that upset anymore.   OBD used to really, really SUCK.  

 

My first home game was  a 3-63 obliteration I doubt will ever happen again in the history of the program.

 

So what if it was bookended by another rout.  This time, we're reigning B1G Champions coming off a 13-0 regular season.

 

I expected a loss in the playoffs given how very few teams in the history of the game have gone 16-0 in a season.  As in less than the fingers on a hand rare.

 

That it was against Ohio State makes it sting. 

 

I'll take that damn ref fest in 2011 ( our first Natty appearance).  Nothing sucks more than a conspiracy to prevent a new blue blood.  That's my take and I'll die with a gun gripped in my hand before I'll accept another argument.

 

We got robbed.  I'll say it a hundred more times before I live my last breath.

[Jemangi]

I am still most dumbfounded by Mario and the clock and the fumble to lose at Autzen. 

[DrJacksPlaidPants]

In the NC game against Auburn, the refs didn’t hose Oregon nearly as bad as Chip did. Auburn’s pass defense was horrible but he was very adamant about establishing the run. He finally figured it out, but it was too late.

[Utki]

For me, the two worst obliterations ever of really good Oregon football teams have been Lanning's  first and  last games.  Georgia and Ohio State could have piled up 60 to 70 points on us with ease. 

[Jon Joseph]

With all respect to the post and the comments on the post, I'm tossing this game into the Trash Can.

 

I hope this HORROR show is parsed by the coaches and never shown to the players. 

 

Stuff Happens. Next case. Next case will see OBD in the 2025-26 Playoff.

[HDuck]

Ducks final AP ranking

x - 2024 (13-1)

2- 2014 (13-2)

2- 2012 (12-1)

3- 2010 (12-1)

2- 2001 (11-1)

 

The other 5 L's on that list are probably your top candidates?

[Charles Fischer]

AnotherOD? That was the post of the year! (2025) A little tongue-in-cheek, but creating that post takes a ton of time, and I appreciate it.  It makes us think a ton about prior seasons, our heartbreaks, and our gratitude for where the program is headed.

 

Incredible post. Thank you.

 

 

[Solar]

On 1/12/2025 at 12:26 PM, Utki said:

For me, the two worst obliterations ever of really good Oregon football teams have been Lanning's  first and  last games.  Georgia and Ohio State could have piled up 60 to 70 points on us with ease. 

Yeah, the qualifier being "really good"Oregon teams.

 

Georgia could be blamed on talent deficiency, which turned out to not be that bad, so I think it had more to do with the team jelling, but Ohio State is mostly on coaching prep, game plan, scheme and the long break.