Ten years ago, Oregon’s program was in what would turn out to be its best season ever to that point. The Ducks were one of the top teams in the country and eventually went on to win the 2002 Fiesta Bowl over the Colorado Buffaloes (and in Maurice Morris’ case, literally OVER the Buffaloes).
But the Ducks had one speed bump that season, and it was in inexplicable fashion. Oregon was hosting an unranked Stanford team at Autzen Stadium and was coming in with the nation’s longest home winning streak. Despite having knocked out Stanford’s star quarterback, Randy Fasani, and returning a kickoff and a punt for a touchdown, Oregon still fell 49-42 thanks to two blocked punts by the Cardinal. It would end up being Oregon’s only blemish of the year as it finished with an eventual No. 2 ranking.
The lost kept Oregon from the National Championship Game, and 10 years later the Ducks have the opportunity to return the favor to the Cardinal in Palo Alto.