Oregon bundles it all in rivalry loss to Oregon State

CORVALLIS, Ore. — After a week in which Oregon State helped resurrect the Pac-12 from the ashes of conference realignment, the energy was high Saturday at Reser Stadium for the 128th edition of the Oregon-Oregon State rivalry – the first since the Ducks moved to the Big Ten.

But over the course of 60 minutes, the Ducks almost emptied the orange stands, and their 49-14 victory was more in line with the high expectations with which they had started the season.

“I think it's great that we were able to perform like that in a hostile environment, but that's our standard, that's our expectation,” Oregon coach Dan Lanning said.

Despite wins over Idaho and Boise State, the Ducks' first two victories didn't look dominant or representative of their talent on both sides of the ball. Although Lanning repeatedly stressed that they didn't care what the outside world said about them, everyone in green and gold knew something was wrong.

“We obviously didn't play to our level the first two games, whether it was us getting our feet wet, being a new team or whatever we want to call it,” linebacker Bryce Boettcher said. “But I told the guys that I'm a big believer in the three-man rule and that we're going to hit the ground running in that third game. I think everyone accepted that and showed what they can do on the field today.”

While Oregon has preached a combination of patience and trust over the past two weeks, quarterback Dillon Gabriel made it a point to ensure his team did not panic despite what happened and the fact that the Ducks slipped from third to ninth in the latest AP Top 25 poll.

“We live in a world where there's opinions when something doesn't look the way it's supposed to, but there's also panic, right?” Gabriel said. “And I just love how everyone in the building has stayed focused on the process and getting better every day, and I think that's allowed us to just play with confidence, play and let go.”

Maybe it was the rivalry. Maybe it was the adjustments on the offensive line — Oregon started Iapani Laloulu at center and didn't rotate as much as it did in the first two games — or maybe it was just that Gabriel and the Ducks' offense needed time to settle in. Either way, the Ducks — who had lost their previous two games in Corvallis — came out swinging.

“I think we have some [questions]said edge rusher Teitum Tuioti. “That's how we expected to play, so I think that's a good thing. This game was good for us.”

Gabriel completed his first 15 passes for a total of 291 yards, given plenty of time to throw and break through the Beavers' defense. He was helped by a running game that awoke from its slumber with 240 yards, including four runs of 20 yards or more after failing to manage a single one against Idaho and Boise State.

“We didn't have any issues with negative plays,” Lanning said, attributing that to a different approach to practice last week. “We were able to pay more attention to details. The focus on execution was probably a little different this week, and I think our guys realized that's not just going to happen by accident.”

The defense also stepped up, holding Oregon State (2-1) scoreless in the second half, turning what was a one-possession game at halftime into a 35-point victory that exposed the enormous talent gap between the two teams.

“I think we have more talent than them right now,” Lanning said. “Still, I know how much this game means to them and how much it means to us, but I'm really focused on our team and what we need to do to continue to get better.”

The importance of this rivalry was not lost on those who attended it on Saturday. Whether it was a player like Gabriel (who will only play in the game once and remembered a young version of himself watching fellow Hawaiian Marcus Mariota play), or Tuioti (whose father Troy joined as coach in 2021), or Lanning himself, no one seemed to want the changing landscape of college football to rule out the matchup.

“I would like to keep this rivalry alive,” Lanning said. “Personally, I think it's great for Oregon State. I think it's great for both schools. That's not something we want to see go away.”

Before the game, Oregon State athletic director Scott Barnes spoke at length about the two-team Pac-12 being strengthened by the addition of four Mountain West Conference teams announced this week. When asked if maintaining a game with Oregon was a priority for Barnes and OSU, he was emphatic.

“We want to try to compete against Oregon in as many sports as possible,” Barnes said. “Why? Because it's common sense and common sense.”

Although a game between these two teams is scheduled for next year in Eugene, there are no further official plans in this 128-game rivalry.

“I think it's important not only for the fans but for the players as well when it comes to keeping rivalry games,” Gabriel said. “Sometimes it's fun to hear the fans cheering you on.”