In front of a sea of black clad Halloween revelers in full voice, Quarterback Jeremiah Masoli engineered one of the most impressive performances in the program's history, shellacking the 5th ranked USC Trojans 47-20 Saturday evening at Autzen Stadium. Masoli and running back LaMichael James shredded the vaunted SC defense for 391 rushing yards and the Oregon defense held the Trojan offense to a single field goal in the second half.
The Oregon quarterback had one of his best days statistically, running for 164 yards and a touchdown on 13 carries and throwing for another 222 yards and a score with 19 completions on 31 attempts. James added another touchdown with 183 yards on 24 carries.
The opening stanza was a see-saw affair. The Trojans took the opening drive to the Oregon eight yard line, but was forced to settle for a field goal with the Duck defense stiffened.
Oregon responded immediately, Kenjon Barner found a seam on the kick off return and threaded through defenders for a 77-yard return, giving the Ducks possession on the SC 15. After Masoli's one yard keeper and a pair of incomplete passes, Morgan Flint tied the game with a 32 yard field goal.
USC was held to a three and out on their next possession, with Oregon taking over on their own 22 following the Trojan's punt.
Getting LaMichael James involved early, Masoli marched the Ducks down the field for a 13 play, 78 yard scoring drive capped by his three yard keeper.
A lost fumble gave the Trojans field position at the Oregon 44 and USC was quick to capitalize. Freshman quarterback Matt Barkley found receive Damian Williams for 21 yards and five plays later connected with Ronald Johnson for three yards to tie the score at 10.
Again, the Ducks wasted no time in responding. Following the kick off, Masoli connected with Lavasier Tuinei for 11 yards to get Oregon near mid field. Then a double dose of James good for 33 and 11 yards respectively put the Ducks on the Trojan one yard line. Andre Crenshaw took it in from there.
Down 17-10, the Trojan offense put together a 12 play, 71 yard drive with Barkley finding Williams with a four yard completion to bring USC even.
Taking possession on his 20, Masoli faked the dive play to James, then slipped through a crease on the right side of the line, running 48 yards before being caught by the Trojans. Another keeper netted 13 yards, then the Oregon quarterback found Jamere Holland loose deep in the end zone and his 17 yard laser gave the Ducks the lead for good as the first half wound to a close.
The two teams traded field goals to open the second half, then head coach Chip Kelly stepped on the gas with his offense. Another 26 yard run by Masoli and an 11 yard completion to Tuinei gave Oregon the ball on the USC 43. Two carries by James netted another 18 yards. After a completion to Jeff Maehl, Masoli again turned to James for another 18 yard burst through the Trojan defense to give the Ducks the ball on the SC five yard line. James next carry put the Ducks up 34-20.
Kenjon Barner's three yard touchdown run widened the lead to 41-20 on the last play of the third quarter and Morgan Flint added a pair of field goals in the fourth to effectively end the Trojan's seven year hold on the Pac-10 conference crown.
"To beat USC, it's tremendous, just because of the type of reputation that their football program has and the kind of coach that he (Pete Carroll) is," Kelly said.
"I don't know if we made a statement, this is just what we planned on doing," Masoli said when asked. "If it makes a statement it makes a statement. That's just Oregon football and how we roll."
Oregon's "statement" was the most points the program has ever posted on USC and gave the Trojans their largest margin of defeat since 2001.
The Duck defense held Barkley and the Trojans to 327 total yards; the freshman quarterback completed 21 of 38 for 187 yards and a pair of touchdowns.
A justifiably pleased defensive coordinator Nick Aliotti said, "These kids know how to play when it's game time . They're a fun group to go to work with every day. They're just great kids. . There's a great chemistry there, and they don't blink when something goes wrong."
The win over the Trojans puts Oregon (5-0, 7-1) in control of the Pac-10 conference race but Kelly was quick to point out any celebrations would end in 24 hours. "We've got to play a very good Stanford team on the road," he said. ". the task at hand for us right now is to come back on Monday and go to work."
