There is more on the line for No. 6 Oregon than just another Civil War victory, but the Ducks are not looking beyond simply defeating the Beavers. A win tomorrow for Oregon would share a conference title with Arizona heading into the Pac-12 conference tournament next week in Las Vegas, Nev. 

However, Oregon (26-4, 15-2 Pac-12) will have to first take care of Beavers' sophomore forward Drew Eubanks and an Oregon State squad with nothing to lose when the 348th Civil War basketball game tips off at 3 p.m. in Corvallis. 

“Wayne [Tinkle] has done a tremendous job keeping them focuses and keeping them playing hard,” Oregon coach Dana Altman said of Oregon State’s tough season. “Their last two home efforts against Colorado and Utah were outstanding. With a big win over Utah and played Colorado in a tight score with two minutes to go, they've continued to play hard and they’ve been tough at home.”

It has been a building year to say the least for the Beavers (5-25, 1-16 Pac-12). Star guard Tres Tinkle has missed most of the season due to injury. But time is on their side with most of the team seeing valuable playing time as freshmen and sophomores. 

Oregon can in no way afford to take a game off, especially the Civil War when the Beavers will look to do anything they can to upset Oregon with the conference tournament around the corner.

“I think we’re just taking every game as it is,” said UO senior guard Dylan Ennis. “Playing hard, playing together, playing smart. Playing an OSU team that definitely is going to go out there you know and want to win the last season game like we do. So we just got to be prepared for them.”

One area in which the Ducks can be better prepared against any team is rebounding. Oregon has struggled to be consistent in this area throughout the season and will have another test with Eubanks tomorrow. He is averaging 14.0 points and 8.1 rebounds per game.

Oregon senior forward Chris Boucher said regarding the rebounding issue: “It’s not only tomorrow, it’s yesterday and the day before, always trying to work on rebounding. Teams are out-rebounding us right now and it’s been an issue since before the Cal trip. So we’re trying to get better at it, we work on rebounding everyday, and we’ll get better, I’m sure, before March Madness.” 

A quick look at the game:

No. 6 Oregon at Oregon State

Where: Gill Coliseum, Corvallis, OR

When: 3:05 p.m.

TV: ESPN2       

Records: Ducks (26-4, 15-2 Pac-12), Beavers (5-25, 1-16 Pac-12).

Last outings: Oregon rounded out just its second time since 1976 sweeping the Bay Area schools with a 75-73 win at Stanford last Saturday. Oregon State lost at California 76-46 last Friday.

Coaches: UO's Dana Altman (180-68 at Oregon, 590-311 Division I). Oregon State’s Wayne Tinkle (41-52 at Oregon State, 199-143 overall). 

Key Ducks: G Tyler Dorsey, 6-4, So., (12.8 ppg, 3.4 rpg), G Dylan Ennis, 6-2, Sr., (11.1 ppg, 4.2 rpg), G Payton Pritchard, 6-2, Fr., (8.0 ppg, 3.2 rpg), F Jordan Bell, 6-9, Jr., (10.8 ppg, 7.8 rpg, 2.1 bpg), F Dillon Brooks, 6-7, Jr., (15.6 ppg, 2.7 rpg, .432 3PT%), F Chris Boucher, 6-10, Sr., (12.1 ppg, 6.3 rpg, 2.7 bpg).

Key Beavers: G Jaquori McLaughlin, 6-4, Fr., (10.3 ppg, 3.0 rpg), G Stephen Thompson Jr, 6-4, So., (8.0 ppg, 2.0 rpg), F Drew Eubanks, 6-10, So., (14.0 ppg, 8.1 rpg), G Kendall Manuel, 6-4, Fr., (5.6 ppg, 1.4 rpg).

Notes: With a win Saturday, Oregon would claim the league title for sixth time in program history…Over the last four seasons, Oregon is undefeated after Valentine’s Day (21-0) in Pac-12 Conference games…Last Saturday at Stanford, Altman tied W.J. Reinhart (1923-35) for third in UO career coaching wins with 180…The Ducks are second nationally at 6.8 blocks per game, and lead the nation in total blocks with 203.

Oregon running back CJ Verdell sprinted across the field at rainy Levi’s Stadium leaving a sprinkle of brown mud flipping from his white Nike cleats.

After barreling into the end zone for three scores in Oregon’s upset victory over No. 5 Utah, Verdell was dashing to the stage, where his teammates awaited, dancing with confetti, alongside the Duck mascot and second year head coach Mario Cristobal.

The sophomore grabbed a ‘Pac-12 Champions’ adorned hat and t-shirt before presented with the Most Valuable Player trophy.

The Ducks won their first Pac-12 Championship since 2014, earning the conference’s automatic berth to the Rose Bowl, by beating Utah 37-15. They snapped Utah’s eight-game winning streak and ended the Utes’ College Football Playoff dream.

Quite frankly, I think maybe these guys all week long got a little bit tired of hearing we weren't the more physical team. It gives you a little bit of an edge. --Cristobal 

Against the nation’s No. 1 rushing defense, Verdell made history. The Utes entered the game allowing an average of 56.3 yards per game, with only one team to rush for over 100 yards. Verdell doubled that amount, alone, with 208 yards, including a 70-yard touchdown that was the longest run in Pac-12 title game history.

How did Verdell feel about being in Utah’s shadow, leading up to the game?

Definitely put a little chip on our shoulders. We try not to focus on the outside noise too much. Hearing they're the most physical team in the Pac-12 made us want to come out here and work even more harder. --Verdell

The clutch performance sent Verdell over the edge to surpass 1,000 rushing yards for the second-consecutive season, becoming the fifth Oregon running back to rush for 1,000 yards in back-to-back years and the third to do it as a freshman and sophomore.

Verdell gave all credit to his offensive line.

I couldn't have done anything on that field without the O-line, They made the holes, paved the way for me to give the big runs. I got to give it all up to them. --Verdell

In Oregon’s most complete game of the season, the Ducks won the battle in the trenches, the defense held Utah scoreless in the first half and quarterback Justin Herbert showed off his mobility. Afterwards, Verdell and the Ducks celebrated in the locker room smelling of mud, sweat and a slight hint of roses.

We all make mistakes. 

Some people's mistakes are just more public than others. 

A digital billboard in Sandy, Utah, which is located about a half hour south of Salt Lake City made this gaffe. 

Digital billboard in Sandy, Utah. Congrats to the Utes. pic.twitter.com/IAbW386cAQ

— The Blue Brethren (@BlueBrethren) December 7, 2019

The screen reads Pac-12 Champions with Utah's logo and the PAC-12 Championship trophy.

It's not immediately known how long this was being displayed, but the timestamp on the tweet is from 9:22pm, which is roughly 30 minutes after the conclusion of the PAC-12 title game in which Oregon won 37-15.

As a battle waged on between the No. 13 Oregon Ducks and No. 5 Utah Utes, another was silently brewing.

Oregon offensive lineman Penei Sewell was playing across from his brother Nephi for the PAC-12 crown. 

It was inevitable. One of them was going to go home victorious, the other in defeat.

No matter the outcome, though, they would remain family. 

After the game, a touching moment was captured. 

Awesome moment as Penei Sewell comforts his brother Nephi right after the Ducks beat the Utes. #Pac12FCG #GoDucks #GoUtes pic.twitter.com/W9CFQkXQrQ

— Brandon Kamerman (@B_Kamerman) December 7, 2019

The two were seen hugging and crying on the field at the conclusion of the game. 

Penei Sewell, a finalist for the Outland Trophy, comforted his brother Nephi, who transferred to Utah from Nevada and walked on. 

Some things are just bigger than sports. 

The Ducks are Rose Bowl bound, dashing Utah's hopes of a trip to the College Football Playoff.

SANTA CLARA- In a battle for the Pac-12 Conference Championship between its two most physical teams, the No. 13 Oregon Ducks (11-2, 8-1 Pac-12) beat No. 5 Utah at Levi’s Stadium to win its first conference championship since 2014.

The 37-15 win ties Oregon with Stanford for most Pac-12 Championship Game victories (3).

Also, do you smell the roses? Oregon earned the program’s eighth appearance in the Rose Bowl with the win.

Here are the top three takeaways from the contest.

1. Run, Herbert, Run!

Oregon couldn’t have gotten off to a better start. On the opening drive of the game, the Ducks flexed their strength in the trenches with a defensive stop on fourth-and-short.

The defense put the offense in the position to succeed… Which it did. Quarterback Justin Herbert’s legs added a wrinkle that Utah’s defense wasn’t prepared for. On one of Oregon’s best drives of the season, Herbert kept it on the zone read to rush for 22 yards. Running back Cyrus Habibi-Likio punched in a seven-yard touchdown to cap a nine-play, 67-yard drive and give Oregon an early 7-0 lead.

Did Oregon wait three months to set up this mobile Herbert? If so, it worked. Oregon’s 10 first quarter points tie the most against Utah this season (with USC, Utah’s only loss). Oregon totaled 263 yards of offense in the first half and Utah entered the game allowing 241.6 yards per game.

2. Explosion plays

This season, Utah has allowed just four plays of 40 or more yards.

In the first half alone, Oregon had two explosive, momentum-building plays of 40+ yards.

Herbert showed off his great touch on a deep ball to wide receiver Juwan Johnson, a 50-yard gain to the two-yard line. Then, wide receiver Johnny Johnson III burned the Utah corner to get wide open for a 45-yard touchdown. The junior’s touchdown grab is his fifth in the last four games.

Running back CJ Verdell earned the longest run in Pac-12 Championship history in the 4th quarter with a 70-yard touchdown rush. Verdell finished with 208 yards rushing.

Johnson III had an unbelievable 33-yard grab in double coverage over the back of a Utah defender.

3. Duck defense in the clutch

Against the Pac-12 conference’s most efficient quarterback Tyler Huntley and best running back Zack Moss, the Duck defense held Utah to zero points in the first half. It marked Oregon’s eighth game in which Oregon didn’t allow a touchdown in the first half. Utah was held scoreless in the first half for the first time this season.

Oregon made big stops in the clutch, holding Utah to 0-for-6 on third down and 0-for-2 on fourth down in the first half. Brady Breeze also grabbed an interception, only Huntley’s third of the season.

One of the biggest stops came with 7:45 left in the third quarter, Utah went for it on 4-and-2, trailing 20-7 and don’t convert. Thomas Graham came up with the deflection to give the ball to the offense at midfield.  

In the end, Oregon ended Utah’s eight-game winning steak, halting the Utes’ College Football Playoff dreams.

--

More to come with quotes and videos from Coach Mario Cristobal and Ducks players.

The forecast for the Pac-12 Championship game is rainy with projected 20+MPH winds.

This morning, it's beautiful and sunny in Santa Clara, but that's expected to change.

The weather could be a major factor in what will likely be a muddy clash for the Pac-12 title between No.13 Oregon and No. 5 Utah. Levi’s Stadium has real grass, by the way. It could be a muddy mess.

When describing the forecast to Oregon linebacker Troy Dye, he responded, “Sounds like a regular day in Eugene.”

Which is ironic, because it was so sunny in Eugene this week, the Ducks had to prepare for the bad weather with artificial wet drills by soaking the footballs.

The only time the Ducks played in the rain this season was at Washington. In that game, the Oregon offense put up 35 points. Justin Herbert threw for 280 yards and four touchdowns. So, while some might think it will be a ground game, the Ducks win over the Huskies shows Oregon won't be afraid to throw the ball.

Adverse weather conditions could lead to mistakes and sloppy play, but Oregon will need to win the turnover battle to have a chance today.

 

MORE DUCKS

Three keys for the Oregon Ducks to win the Pac-12 Championship

How Marcus Arroyo’s name popping up in the coaching carousel affects Oregon

Where Oregon's Bowl path currently stands: Rose Bowl to Alamo Bowl

10 surprising numbers: Oregon vs. Utah in Pac-12 Championship

Mario Cristobal’s ear-catching comments about time of possession

Back-to-back Pac-12 Player of the Year; All-Time leader in triple-doubles in the NCAA (men's or women's); Wade Trophy winner for Player of the Year; Wooden Trophy winner for Most Outstanding Player in Women's College Basketball; Nancy Lieberman Award winner (second straight season, nation's top point guard); seeking a Masters degree; twin; Nike jersey sold out within a day...

And she's not done yet.

In her final season at Oregon, Ionescu has the chance to become the first player in NCAA women's basketball history to reach 2,000+ career points, 1,000+ career assists and 1,000+ career rebounds. She has already checked career points off that list and recently became the Pac-12's assist leader (836 and counting).

8⃣3⃣6⃣ and counting...

Congrats to Sabrina Ionescu on becoming the #Pac12WBB all-time assists leader! 👏#GoDucks | @sabrina_i20 pic.twitter.com/aYfPyoeNvR

— Oregon Women’s Basketball (@OregonWBB) November 28, 2019

Enjoy more fun facts about the G.O.A.T. in the video above!

It’s the end of the regular season in college football, which means bowl games and end of season awards. 

One of the players who will be recognized over and over again will be Oregon left tackle Penei Sewell. 

PFF announced their Power 5 Players of the Year with the PAC-12 award going to the Oregon offensive lineman. 

PFF uses a play-by-play grading to analyze players, and Sewell is on pace to shatter the records for an offensive lineman in both run protection and pass protection, according to the website. 

Here’s what they had to say:

Perhaps the best tackle prospect to come about since Eric Fisher went first in the 2013 NFL Draft, Sewell has dominated since his first snaps on the field in Eugene. He's on pace to break the record for the highest grade we've ever given to an offensive tackle and is setting records with his pass-blocking and run-blocking grades in the process. In pass protection alone, Sewell stands tall over his peers.

In 2019, Sewell has taken 420 reps in pass protection and allowed just six total pressures, giving up pressure on just 1.4% of his pass-blocking snaps, an absurd rate. 

Sewell was the Outland Trophy player of the month for September and was named one of three finalists for the Outland Trophy, given to CFB’s best interior lineman. In addition, Sewell was named the Pac-12 offensive lineman of the week four times. 

Other Player of the Year honors went to:

ATLANTIC COAST CONFERENCE: Trevor Lawrence, QB, Clemson

BIG TEN CONFERENCE: Chase Young, Edge, Ohio State

BIG 12 CONFERENCE: Ceedee Lamb, WR, Oklahoma

SOUTHEASTERN CONFERENCE: Joe Burrow, QB, LSU

Sewell and the Ducks will suit up Friday in the PAC-12 Championship Game vs. Utah. 

The No. 13 Oregon Ducks will be donning all "Nightmare Green" on Friday at 5 p.m (PT) in Levi's Stadium against Pac-12 South division winner No. 5 Utah. 

[READ: Justin Herbert's heart is Oregon's X-factor to win Pac-12 Title]

Back up ‘cause we need space.

Pac-12 Championship game uniform combo for @OregonFootball. #GoDucks pic.twitter.com/L4xT9ARNNh

— GoDucks (@GoDucks) December 6, 2019

Oregon's "Nike Vapor Fusion" uniform is celebrating its 20th anniversary of their partnership with Nike. The winged helmets are back and the jerseys feature large "Mighty Oregon" font resembling last season's "Oregon Football 2.0" uniform with slight differences. The addition of Nightmare Green is the biggest change while notably no black set was released. 

The battle between Oregon (10-2, 8-1 Pac-12) and No. 5 Utah (11-1, 8-1 Pac-12) for the Pac-12 Conference crown is bound to be intense with major post-season implications. The Ducks still have a chance at playing in the Rose Bowl as Pac-12 Conference champions (among another option). Standing in their way? The Utes, packed with experienced offensive weapons, one of the toughest defenses in the nation and imminent College Football Playoff dreams.

Utah will be wearing all white.

Bringing these unis back for the ‘ship 😍 pic.twitter.com/oQFKbLQrdp

— Utah Football (@Utah_Football) December 3, 2019

Numbers to know: Utah leads the FBS in rushing defense (56.3) with opponents averaging just 2.26 yards per carry. The Utes have held 11 of their 12 opponents to under 100 yards rushing and have outscored their opponents 193-61 in the second half this season. 

MORE DUCKS

Three keys for the Oregon Ducks to win the Pac-12 Championship

How Marcus Arroyo’s name popping up in the coaching carousel affects Oregon

Where Oregon's Bowl path currently stands: Rose Bowl to Alamo Bowl

10 surprising numbers: Oregon vs. Utah in Pac-12 Championship

Mario Cristobal’s ear-catching comments about time of possession

Days after Chris Petersen resigned from coaching the Washington Huskies, the good news just keeps coming for Ducks fans.

After a season of what felt like a dead man coaching, USC AD Mike Bohn said Wednesday that head coach Clay Helton will be retained. 

I am pleased to let you know Coach Helton will continue to be our head coach.

His commitment to our student-athletes and to leading with integrity is vital to restoring our championship program, which is the goal for all of our teams.

— Mike Bohn (@USC_mikebohn) December 4, 2019

USC ended the regular season ranked No. 22 in the College Football Playoff Rankings, going 8-4, including a win over No. 5 Utah. That sounds like a successful season, but there’s much more to the situation that caused many Trojan fans to desire Helton’s firing. 

USC is arguably the only blue blood football program in the Pac-12. They are located in the middle of Los Angeles, which creates some of the most elite high school football talent in America. The top two high school football teams in the nation are located near Los Angeles. Many of those elite kids grow up dreaming of playing in LA Coliseum. USC recruits itself and always is among the most talented teams in the nation.  

Despite all of that, USC has the 67th ranked recruiting class in the country eleven days before the early signing period. Helton has the program in such bad shape that local recruits are continuing to look elsewhere.

If USC’s brand perception continues to tank, then the rank of being the best brand in the conference can be Oregon’s for the taking. The elite recruits choosing their schools today do not remember the Pete Caroll era that included teams with Matt Leinart and Reggie Bush. They grew up watching Chip Kelly and the Oregon Ducks torching USC en route to winning BCS Bowls and revolutionizing college football. They were trend-setters with their uniforms, while USC was caught up in their past traditions. Now, the Ducks have Mario Cristobal at the helm, one of the best recruiters in the country. 

Also, Oregon has already gone into Los Angeles and received commitments from kids targeted by USC, as well. Linebacker Mase Funa and wide receiver Michael Pittman come to mind immediately. The LA to Eugene pipeline began when De'Anthony Thomas shocked the world by committing to the Ducks. Recruits today remember that decision. Cristobal has only solidified that pipeline and if USC continues to look unappealing, then the Ducks should only amass more talent. 

Don't forget these kids watched the Ducks demolish USC in Los Angeles earlier this season, 56-24.

Currently, the Ducks have the 11th ranked recruiting class according to 247 Sports and still have a few more spots open for big time recruits to commit closer to signing day.