CORVALLIS — It was a disappointing end to a season of underachievement for the Oregon football team.
The Ducks were hammered by Oregon State 50-21 Saturday during the 108th installment of the Civil War at Reser Stadium. With the loss, Oregon (5-6 overall, 4-4 Pacific-10 Conference) failed to qualify for a bowl game for the first time since 1996 and finished with its first losing season in 11 years.
“It’s a shame that the season ended this early,” Oregon head coach Mike Bellotti said.
The Oregon State offense proved unstoppable from its opening drive. Quarterback Derek Anderson torched the Ducks for 351 yards and four touchdowns, while wide receiver Mike Hass caught nine passes for 154 yards and a pair of scores.
“We tried to stop the pass and just couldn’t do it,” Bellotti said. “I think Anderson and Hass played exceptional football today. They are two of the more quality players in college football.”
While the Beavers (6-5, 5-3) had no trouble moving the ball down the field, the Duck offense struggled as quarterback Kellen Clemens was under constant pressure. The Burns native completed 13 of 29 passes for 126 yards and three touchdowns, but threw three interceptions and was sacked six times.
“I felt pressure a little bit,” Clemens said. “We just needed to make plays against this tough OSU defense, but we couldn’t make them tonight.”
After trailing 27-14 at halftime, Oregon pulled to within six on a 2-yard touchdown pass from Clemens to tight end Tim Day four minutes into the third quarter. Oregon State increased its lead to 34-21 three minutes later on a 16-yard touchdown pass from Anderson to tight end Joe Newton and never looked back.
Oregon running back Terrence Whitehead rushed for 110 yards in 18 carries, but had only four attempts in the second half.
The Beavers rebounded from a 1-4 start to win five of their last six games.
The home team has now won eight consecutive Civil War meetings, with the last road win coming in 1996, when Oregon defeated Oregon State 49-13 in Corvallis.
“It’s not what any one person did, it’s what we did collectively,” Oregon State head coach Mike Riley said. “We have a tough-minded group.”
