Oregon Ducks Face Oregon State Beavers in Rivalry Showdown

EUGENE, Ore. — The No. 6 Oregon football team will host its longtime rival, Oregon State, in a key nonconference match-up on Saturday at noon. The game will be broadcast on the Big Ten Network from Autzen Stadium.

This rivalry, often called the ‘Civil War,’ has a rich history as the Ducks and Beavers have battled on the gridiron for over 130 years. But with recent conference realignments, this could mark the last time the teams meet for a while.

Oregon is coming off a strong performance in its Big Ten opener against Northwestern, while Oregon State is still searching for its first win of the season after three consecutive losses. The Ducks have a historical edge in the rivalry, leading the series 69-49-10.

Oregon head coach Dan Lanning emphasized the importance of this game to players and fans alike. “This game means a lot to us, for sure. State bragging rights are on the line, and it’s important to our community,” he said.

Oregon State quarterback Maalik Murphy poses a significant challenge, averaging nearly 300 passing yards per game. Lanning praised Murphy’s skills, stating, “He has one of the strongest arms we’ve seen. He can throw it on a rope.”

Oregon’s secondary has received a boost with the addition of senior transfer Theran Johnson, who made his debut last week. Lanning noted, “Theran did a good job executing his role. We needed to ensure he was fresh, but he performed well.”n

In last week’s victory, the Ducks allowed 14 points in the final moments of the game and Lanning emphasized the need to maintain focus through all four quarters. “We want to be a team that wins the fourth quarter, regardless of the score or personnel,” he mentioned.

The Ducks will showcase special ‘Shoe Duck’ uniforms in honor of Nike co-founder Phil Knight and his former coach Bill Bowerman. Lanning explained, “These jerseys are impressive, and it’s rare we get to recognize such a vital relationship in our program’s history.”n

With the Ducks aiming for a perfect start to the season and the Beavers struggling, the odds are in favor of Oregon as they prepare for what could be an intense and significant rivalry game.