[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VW3yPPQoKgc&feature=youtu.be]
Produced by: Will Rubin/ Sreang “C” Hok
The 2009 Civil War between Oregon and Oregon State marked the 115th year of the gridiron rivalry, but the first contest that would earn the winner the Pac-12 championship along with a trip to the Rose Bowl. Televised to a national audience on a Thursday Night, anticipation had never been higher for the in-state tradition.
The Ducks, coming off of their thrilling double-overtime victory against the Arizona Wildcats, took a 14-10 lead late in the first quarter on a long touchdown pass from quarterback Jeremiah Masoli to breakout target Jeff Maehl, but the Beavers would take a 23-21 lead into the half and extend that lead with a touchdown early in the third.
Oregon responded with a touchdown of their own, scored by the previously-suspended LeGarrette Blount – seeing his first game action since the loss at Boise State to open the season. Following a field goal by Oregon State’s Justin Kahut, freshman speedster LaMichael James took a hand off 52 yards down the left sideline and gave the Ducks the lead for good.
The fourth quarter was a battle of wills, won repeatedly by Oregon. The Beavers failed to convert a fourth down with 6:09 remaining on the clock and Oregon would convert a pair of fourth downs of their own on the way to running out the clock and sending themselves to their first Rose Bowl since 1995. It was an end to the regular season few would have anticipated after the disaster that befell the team in Boise and served as a springboard for the success of Oregon over the next two seasons.
Game highlights.