The most important Oregon non-conference football games of the century (2024)

Final score: Wisconsin 27, Oregon 23
Oregon's final record: 10-2

Recap: This game checks a lot of boxes. The Ducks were in a tight one against a top five in a road game, Joey Harrington was heaving bombs left and right and had they won the game, they'd have entered the in-state rivalry game with Oregon State two months later unbeaten and possibly in line to play for a national title. Instead, Wisconsin star running back Michael Bennett ran for 290 yards and quarterback Brooks Bollinger scored the game winning touchdown in the fourth. If I was older than 11 years old at the time of its playing, I might have more distinct memories from this game and itbeplaced differently.

Final score: Auburn 27, Oregon 21
Oregon's final record: 12-2

Recap: This was a real gut punch game. Still, I find it to be among the most pivotal games Oregon has played under Mario Cristobal. The Ducks had this game. They led for nearly every second of the 60 minutes. Yet, Seth Williams high-pointed a ball (thrown by Bo Nix no less) over Verone McKinley III and the Tigers stole one late.That play and the way the game ended were certainly memorable, but it also provided some confidence in Oregon's ability to compete with top teams. It was also a greatly significant game too. If the Ducks win this game, the loss in Tempe in late November may not have kept them outside of the College Football Playoffs. So, if we're playing the "what-if" game, a win here may have totally rewritten that season's history books. Either way, Oregon players, coaches and fans enjoyed a happy ending to that season in Pasadena.

Final score: Oregon 34, Oklahoma 33

Oregon's final record: 7-6

Recap: From a pure suspense and entertainment perspective, one might argue this is the best Oregon non-conference game possibly ever. The Duck needed about half-a-dozen things to break right after falling behind 33-20 with a little over three minutes left in regulation. Two big breaks shaped this conclusion. First the Ducks were awarded an onside kick recovery despite no clear recovery and then a pass interference call moved the ball near the end zone to set up a 23-yard Dennis Dixon strike to Bryan Paysinger with 46 ticks left. Oklahoma wasn't dead yet and actually attempted a game-winning field goal that was blocked.

That sort of end of game theatrics are hard to match. None of this sat well with Oklahoma, and the Pac-10 suspended the game's officiating crew shortly after. Regardless, Oregon now boasts a win over Adrian Peterson at Autzen.This win hardly acted as a jumping off point for the Ducks though, as they dropped six of their final 10 games.

Final score: Boise State 19, Oregon 8

Oregon's final record: 9-4

Recap: Arguably the most important thing attached Chip Kelly's first game as head coach took place following the final whistle. After turning in an absolute turd sandwich of a game in Boise (152 total yards were gained by Oregon's offense) the star running back connected on a punch with an opposing player's face. The on-field performance and LeGarrette Blount's punch led Kelly to famously refunding a fan's ticket. It also removed Blount from the team for most of the season, and seemingly dashed the high hopes for it. Yet, Oregon responded like a prize fighter taking a knockdown blow. Freshman LaMichael James tore up the Pac-12 and the Ducks wound up playing in their first Rose Bowl in 15 years at season's end.

Even if on-field the performance itself was less than memorable, this game feels like an important turning point for the program's development. If the Ducks don't respond like they did, Kelly may not have been long for the job, and who knows what the next three years hold instead.

Final score: Oregon 48, Tennessee 13

Oregon's final record: 12-1

Recap: The Ducks were considered the better team going in. They were ranked seventh nationally and Tennessee was unranked. Still, conventional wisdom nationally suggested the game would be close and that the SEC team playing in its 100,000 plus stadium might even pull the upset. A lightning delay stopped action for an hour and the Vols led 13-3 early. But, LaMichael James broke about half-a-dozen tackles on a long touchdown scamper on Oregon's next drive whichbegan a 45-0 Oregon run. Beating an SEC program by five scores on its home field was significant. It proved Oregon's mettle to compete nationally. It also felt like a turning point with the team, asthe Ducks went on to complete the first and only perfect regular season before falling to Cam Newton andAuburn in the national championship game.

Final score: LSU 40, Oregon 27
Oregon's final record: 12-2

Recap: Oregon won a ton of games during the 2010 and 2011 football seasons, yet the dropped consecutive games to SEC teams who won or played for national titles. Fresh off a title loss to Auburn, the Ducks were No. 3 nationally, and LSU was ranked fourth. This was considered the seasons' marquee non-league game. Unfortunately, the Ducks weren't up for the challenge. LSU dominated the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball and Oregon gave the ball away four times — including two from true frosh De'Anthony Thomas in his collegiate debut. Oregon bounced back just fine from the loss and if not for a devastating loss to USC in late November may have met LSU for a rematch in the national title game after rattling off nine straight wins.

Just like the 2019 loss to Auburn, a win here likely puts the Ducks squarely in the national title game months later.

Final score: Oregon 31, Michigan 27
Oregon's final record: 7-6

Recap: Not many gave the Ducks a chance going into this one. The Wolverines were the bluest of blue bloods at the time. The Ducks capitalized off of some sloppy Michigan play though, and were able to use a two-quarterback system led by Jason Fife and Kellen Clemens to fool Michigan just enough to pull off the upset. Jordan Carey's recovery in the end zone off of a blocked punt is one of the more memorable Oregon special teams plays of the past 20 or so years as well. This game checks the entertainment and significance boxes, but it wasn't really a turning point game. In fact, this might be the first instance of the Sports Illustrated curse hitting the Ducks, as Fife's image was on the magazine cover following the win only for the Ducks to lose their next three games including brutalbuttkickings at the hands of Washington State (55-16) and Arizona State (59-14).

Final score: Oregon 39, Michigan 7
Oregon's final record: 9-4

Recap: Michigan wasn't the same Michigan entering this game. A loss to Appalachian State the week prior took much of the luster off of them. Still, Oregon went into the Big House and housed the Wolverines. This game checks the memorable plays box, as Dennis Dixon and Jonathan Stewart's fake statue of liberty play is among the best trick plays Oregon has ever scored on. This game introduced the Ducks on the national stage and immediately made them a national title contender. It also thrust Dixon into the Heisman trophy picture. Even with a loss to Cal a few week later, the Ducks maintained contending status as others fell off around them. This story doesn't have a happy ending though, as Dixon's knee ligamentsfailed to hold up and neither could the team's championship hopes.

Final score: Oregon 35, Ohio State 28
Oregon's final record: 10-4

Recap: This is the unquestioned best non-conference win of the century, and possibly in school-history. The defending national runner-ups had not lost a regular season game in nearly five years before the upset, and it took place at one of the nation's most recognizable and historically significant venues. Again, a ton of boxes checked. How it happened didn't hurt either. The Duck manhandled Ohio State's defense to run for 269 yards and a trio of ground scores. CJ Stroud might've thrown for 484 yards, but Verone McKinley III picked off a pass late to end any threat. It was a wire-to-wire win for a team that enteredas more than two-score underdogs.

Shouldn't this be No. 1 on the list? For some, I'm sure it will be. However, there is another game that took place in a more special season that acted as a jumping off point for a national title game run. Sadly, this season will be remembered for what it wasn't. The Ducks stumbled four times after this game, including two embarrassing losses to Utah with everything on the line. So, while the game itself is the best win, it's hard to argue it's the most important game because it didn't signify the beginning of anything. It actually signified the opposite, as this was one of the final positive memories of Mario Cristobal's time at Oregon.

Final score: Oregon 46, Michigan State 27
Oregon's final record: 13-2

Recap: This game checks just about every single box. This was among the biggest non-league games that season, as both teams were ranked inside the top 10. Oregon was third and Michigan State was seventh. It featured a comeback, the Ducks trailed by nine in the third quarter before scoring 29 unansweredpoints. It also features an extremely memorable play. Still down nine and facing a third down, Marcus Mariota avoided the rush and heaved a pitch downfield to Royce Freeman who caught it gained 17 yards. That play led to a touchdown a Devon Allen touchdown and the rest is history.

This game also sent the Ducks on their way to what is undoubtedly one of the two most celebrated seasons in school history. Despite a stunning loss to Arizona months later, the Ducks reached their second national title game appearance in the debut College Football Playoff. Mariota also won the school's first and only Heisman trophy.

What followed this game props it above the win in Columbus, because sadly the 2021 team stumbled late.