It was first-and-goal from the 1-yard line. Linebacker Bryce Boettcher lined up with the offense, took a direct snap and ran it in for a score.

“He’s been asking for the ball all year,” head coach Dan Lanning said. “We really put that in this week. It’s something we worked multiple times this week. It’s something we felt like we might be able to carry. I don’t know if anyone could have kept (Boettcher) from getting in that end zone whenever we gave him that opportunity.”

“It’s what you live for,” Boettcher said. “It starts getting cold, the leaves start falling off the trees. Obviously big games like this, especially senior night. The magnitude of it is what you play for.”

Born and raised in Eugene, he conquered center field at PK Park, and now led the Oregon defense at Autzen Stadium for possibly the last time.

Throughout his four years in a Ducks uniform, Boettcher has increased his play making each season. Through 11 games this year, he has recorded 90 tackles, three pass deflections, a forced fumble, an interception and a touchdown.

Boettcher committed to Oregon on a baseball scholarship. After the hiring of head coach Dan Lanning, one of Boettcher’s teammates suggested he try out as a walk-on, and just like that, a linebacker was created.

“It’s been quite a journey mentally and physically,” Boettcher said. “When I first came in, all I really saw was see ball, hit ball carrier and hopefully knock their helmet off in the process. I didn’t really know a lot of football scheme. I think that’s where I’ve grown the most –– being able to pick plays up, diagnose some of what the offense is doing while still being physical.”

Boettcher’s most notable performances this season were his interception and 31-yard return against Northwestern, his 10 tackles against Oregon State, 12 against Penn State, 11 against Indiana and his forced fumble and two pass deflections against Wisconsin.

Last week’s outing against USC might have been his best performance of the season. It was clear that this game meant a little bit more to Boettcher, it being his last game at the stadium he had been coming to since he was a little kid.

“I’m excited,” Boettcher said. “Obviously a little bittersweet, but it’s a cool opportunity, especially to end in this fashion.”

Boettcher recorded a season high of 13 tackles, while also scoring his first career touchdown. 

It was a special day for all the seniors in what was possibly their last game at Autzen Stadium. It was clear this day meant a lot to Lanning as well when he addressed the seniors in an emotional interview.

“I’m forever grateful for those guys for what they’ve contributed,” Lanning said. “To think this will be the last time they get to play on this field. I probably haven’t said it enough this week what those guys mean to us and the work that they’ve put in. We talk about a player-led team. It’s really driven by those guys.”

As much as Boettcher has meant to the Oregon defense in recent years, the players who have played around Boettcher and the ones who came before mean even more to him.

“I’m gonna give credit to those guys who came before me and helped lay the foundation. Obviously I’ve been a part of it over the past four years, but there’s been a lot of pieces to this defense. Obviously it’s great to be a part of it, but it’s way greater than me.”

Boettcher has already been drafted into the Houston Astros organization if he chooses to pursue baseball. As for football, he is on a team that still has everything in front of them. His physical shape might be more suited for football at this point anyway.

With the win over USC, the Ducks moved up to No. 5 in the AP Poll. A win Saturday against rival Washington would help to push them toward one more game in Eugene, in the first round of the College Football Playoff. Regardless of where they land after the regular season finale this Saturday, the season will not be over for the 10-1 Ducks and Boettcher will continue to prove he can execute on both fields.