Bo Nix, Troy Franklin lead Oregon to thrilling win over USC

The stage was set in Autzen: the first game under the lights this season and energy from Duck fans that we haven’t seen in Eugene all year. Duck fans were ready for a game that could further cement the Ducks in the CFP race or see them falter at the hands of a struggling — but talented — USC team.

Coming off the back of a blowout against Cal, the Ducks hoped to back that victory up with a win over a team ranked in the top ten just a few weeks ago. Despite USC being the second-best scoring offense in the country, Oregon entered the game as a 17-point favorite. 

The Trojans, who had lost three of their last four games, were looking to knock off a high-flying Oregon team with National Championship hopes and prove they could still compete with the best this season.

Oregon’s defense had a tough task defending Caleb Williams and the dynamic running back MarShawn Lloyd, but they had held them to just 14 points through three quarters. They forced 2 turnovers and contained a majority of big plays that other defenses had given up over the course of this year.

Despite having 13 total penalties for 120 yards, the game never felt in doubt for the Ducks, and they won 36-27. 

How it happened:

The Trojans got the ball first with hopes of silencing the Autzen crowd. Oregon gave USC an unnecessary first down by grabbing Williams’ facemask. They boldly declined a holding penalty on a second down incompletion, and on third down, Brandon Dorlus and Jordan Burch combined for a sack.

Oregon took over, and after a run from Bucky Irving up the middle, Bo Nix found Tez Johnson open. Johnson made a guy miss and used his speed to break free for a 77-yard touchdown to put the Ducks up 7-0 early.

With Autzen still roaring, USC was searching for an answer. Williams rolled out to his right and hit Dorian Singer deep to get inside the 20. He evaded pressure on third down, which set up an easy score for Lloyd to make it 7-7. Despite giving up a touchdown, Oregon’s defense had pressure in the pocket every play.

Oregon got behind schedule on the first two plays of their drive, but on third down, Nix found Franklin open on a short slant. One body faint had Max Williams on USC lost, and he took it to the house for 6. That 6 did not turn into 7, with the Ducks going for two and being unsuccessful. 13-7. Nix’s stat line mid-way through the first: 2-2 for 161 yards and 2 touchdowns.

USC was stopped at the 50 and was forced to punt for the second time. Tez Johnson bobbled the ball after calling for a fair catch, and USC hit him and was called for unnecessary roughness. The Ducks started their drive on their own 25. On fourth-and-1, they went for it, and Nix kept it himself. Although the spot looked close, USC lined up offside, and the Ducks had a new set of downs. After some positive yardage from Irving, Nix found Terrance Ferguson wide-open in the back of the endzone for the score. They went for two again but were unsuccessful. 19-7.

Oregon’s defense continued to stuff the run and get pressure on Williams, who was continually forced to make off-platform plays to extend drives. It sacked him for a big loss on first down, forcing second-and-long, which the Trojans could not make back. Brandon Dorlus hit Williams hard as he threw it out of bounds.

The Ducks were pinned at their 1 with 5 minutes to go in the second quarter. After one first-down, Nix aired it out and connected with Franklin for 63 yards. After a brutal holding call, Oregon played it safe, picked up just a few yards, and set up Camden Lewis for the 33-yard kick he drilled. 22-7.

With 2 minutes left in the half, USC took over and was looking to respond. Williams made a play happen, finding Tahj Washington streaking down the field for 56 yards to set up first-and-goal. Caleb Williams ran into the endzone untouched, making it 22-14. The Ducks took a knee to close the half up 8. 

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Gary Bryant brought the kickoff past the 30, but a holding call brought them back inside their 20. After a potential injury scare in the second quarter, Jackson Powers-Johnson started at center to open the half. Although a positive drive, Irving hobbled off the field and had to be helped to the medical tent. Nix escaped the sack and found Johnson in the endzone to put the Ducks up by 15.

Caleb Williams and the Trojans needed an answer. Williams scrambled on third-and-7 but came up short. On fourth, they had the offense out, but a delay of game forced them to punt it back to Oregon. Bucky Irving was back on the field after a scare on the previous drive, but USC still forced a three-and-out and the Ducks’ first punt of the day.

The Trojans drove to near the 50, but Williams and running back Austin Jones had a miscommunication, and the ball ended up on the turf. Oregon recovered, looking to increase its lead to prevent there from being a game late. Irving, back on the field after getting his ankle wrapped, ran 19 yards for the touchdown to put the Ducks up 36-14. 

The Trojans could get nothing going, forced to a fourth down, and then bailed out on a questionable defensive pass interference penalty on Tysheem Johnson. On a busted coverage, Williams found a receiver open to set up first-and-goal. On fourth down from the 9, Williams fired a bullet into Brenden Rice for the touchdown. 36-21.

Although up 15 halfway through the fourth quarter, the game didn’t feel over for the Ducks. They drove down the field with intent and found themselves in the red zone via a 22-yard reception by Ferguson. However, Cam Lewis missed a field goal and the Ducks walked away without a score. 

USC scored a touchdown late, but didn’t get the two-point conversion or the onside kick and the game was over when Nix found Irving on fourth down on the ensuing drive. Although Oregon was never worried, it wasn’t the prettiest of games and Lanning will have lots of teachable moments before their clash with Arizona State in Tempe.