In a nod to LaMichael James, who decided on Friday to depart for the NFL, we present the 21 Most Important Moments of the 2011 season, in order from least to most meaningful (can you guess what’s number one?). To be clear, this is not a “best of” list; both negative and positive developments are included. Without further ado:
21. De’Anthony Thomas takes a catch 69 yards for a score against Nevada, embarrassing defenders along the way and showing just how explosive he can be.
20. LaMichael James rushes for school record 288 yards and three touchdowns against Arizona, breaking Derek Loville’s Oregon record for career touchdowns in the process.
19. Darron Thomas suffers knee injury against Arizona State, and replacement Bryan Bennett leads comeback win.
Quotable:
“There was no panic. I think (Bennett) knows what we ask our quarterback to do. You don’t have to make things happen, you just have to let it happen.” – Chip Kelly
18. Cliff Harris kicked off team after a violation of team rules, capping off the definition of a roller-coaster career.
17. LaMichael James runs for 156 yards in a key game against Washington, proving he’s back after a scary elbow injury.
16. Darron Thomas sits in the second half of a victory over Washington State, prompting questions about a quarterback controversy.
Quotable:
“If I gotta earn my position again, I can earn it again.” – Darron Thomas
15. LaMichael James dislocates his elbow against Cal, sits for two games.
Quotable:
“I could tear all of my ACLs and I’ll still play.” – LaMichael James
14. Terrell Turner strip-sacks Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck. Brandon Hanna recovers, and the Ducks score on the ensuing possession.
13.  On fourth down, with Oregon holding a narrow 15-9 lead over Stanford in the second quarter, De’Anthony Thomas takes a screen pass 41 yards for the touchdown.
12. De’Anthony Thomas takes a kickoff 96 yards for a score late in the third quarter against USC to ignite a comeback attempt.
Quotable:
“They’re so explosive. Not only on the offense, but when you’re scoring you have to kick it to De’Anthony or try not to.” – USC head coach Lane Kiffin
11. Darron Thomas hits Lavasier Tuinei in the back of the end zone to bring Oregon to within three against USC.
10. USC running back Marc Tyler fumbles, and Brandon Hanna recovers to give Oregon the chance to either tie or win.
9. Alejandro Maldonado misses the game-tying field goal wide left against USC, giving Oregon its second loss of the season and ending any chances for a national title.
Quotable:
“You don’t lose a game on a last kick. What if I would have fumbled the ball the last play, or Darron would have threw an interception? You don’t lose games because of last plays. It takes a team to lose a game, and that’s what happened with us.” – LaMichael James
8. Kenjon Barner fumbles punt, LSU’s Tyrann Mathieu takes it in for a touchdown to give Tigers 9-6 lead.
7. De’Anthony Thomas fumbles twice in third quarter against LSU, and Tigers score touchdowns off both giveaways to run away with a game that eliminated the chance for another undefeated regular season.
6. In the first-ever Pac-12 Championship game — and his last game at Autzen Stadium — LaMichael James breaks 200 yards rushing yet again.
Quotable:
“The most important thing to me is my teammates; those guys are always supporting me. That’s the only thing I think about, just being with those guys. I don’t think about one more year, I just think about the next day.” – LaMichael James
5. On the first play of a second-quarter drive with Oregon trailing Wisconsin 21-14, Kenjon Barner takes a catch 54 yards down the left sideline for a touchdown.
4. De’Anthony Thomas breaks out for a 91-yard touchdown to end the first quarter of the Rose Bowl, tying the game at 14 in the process.
Quotable:
“He’s the Black Mamba. You got a nickname, ‘Black Mamba,’ you’re doing something really well.” – Michael Clay
 3. Kiko Alonso intercepts Russell Wilson late in the third quarter with Oregon trailing 38-35. The Ducks would take the lead on the ensuing possession.
Quotable:
“I was loose-arming on the sideline looking at him, and I just got a good jump on him.” – Kiko Alonso
2. Terrance Mitchell forces Wisconsin receiver Jared Abbrederis to fumble near the sideline late in the fourth quarter. Michael Clay recovers, and Chip Kelly loses his mind on the sideline.
Quotable:
“It just sat there. I just didn’t want it to roll out, and I just pounced on it. But it speaks to how we practice — everyone is running to the ball.” – Michael Clay
1. Oregon wins the Rose Bowl for the first time in 95 years.
Quotable:
“When they had to make a play, they made a play. So many different guys contributed to it, and it’s truly a team win, and we’re just proud that we can say that we were Rose Bowl champions.” – Chip Kelly