Oregon entered the Civil War Friday as 34.5-point favorites. And it looked like a perfect prediction, as the Ducks raced out to a 24-point lead by halftime. But, Oregon State didn’t let the game snowball into a nightmare.
The first half deficit proved to be too much though. Despite the Beavers outscoring the Ducks in the second half, Vernon Adams Jr. and Oregon held on for a 52-42 win.
Adams went 28-of-38 for 366 yards and three touchdowns, connecting with Bralon Addison on all three of the scores. Addison also found the end zone on a rush, finishing his day with eight receptions for 106 yards, two rushes for 24 yards and four touchdowns.
Royce Freeman added 167 yards on the ground and it all translated to 674 total yards offense for the Ducks Friday. But, Oregon State matched the Ducks punch for punch in the second half.
The Beavers cut the deficit to just three after Victor Bolden returned a punt 78 yards to make the score 38-35. They cut it to three again after Ryan Nall rushed 66 yards for a touchdown to make it 45-42.
But, Oregon State could not make a stop when it mattered most, and the Ducks responded on each of those plays with touchdown drives of their own. With the win, Oregon ends its regular season with a 9-3 record.
Key Plays:
— On its opening drive, Oregon State’s slow and steady tempo led to the first points on the board. The drive was capped off by a three-yard Seth Collins quarterback keeper, giving the Beavers an early 7-0 edge.
— Vernon Adams Jr. and the Oregon offense took little time to even up the score. For his second rushing touchdown of the season, Bralon Addison pivoted and reversed directions from the right side of the field on a pitch, sneaking into the end zone from 13 yards out, capping off Oregon’s opening drive with a score.
— Late in the first quarter, Charles Nelson picked off a telegraphed Marcus McMaryion pass. Despite getting great field position, Oregon failed to convert as Aidan Schneider’s first field goal attempt from 39 yards out was blocked.
— Just before the end of the first quarter, Taj Griffin shimmied his way into the end zone on a 14-yard run, giving Oregon its first lead at 14-7.
— For the last score of the first half and Addison’s second score of the game, Adams found his veteran wideout for a 37-yard touchdown connection. Oregon took a 31-7 lead heading into the break.
Stats
Oregon passing
Vernon Adams Jr. — 28-for-38, 366 yards, three touchdowns
OSU passing
Marcus McMaryion — 11-for-21, 154 yards, one interception
Oregon rushing
Royce Freeman — 27 carries for 167 yards, two touchdowns
Bralon Addison — Two carries for 24 yards, one touchdown
Taj Griffin — Nine carries, 65 yards, one touchdown
OSU rushing
Ryan Nall — 19 rushes, 174 yards, one touchdown
Oregon receiving
Bralon Addison — eight catches for 106 yards, three touchdowns
Dwayne Stanford — Five catches for 77 yards
OSU receiving
Jordan Villamin – four catches, 72 yards
Oregon total offense — 674 yards
OSU total offense — 427 yards
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