In a lost season, it’s appropriate Oregon State’s year ends this way.
Oregon jumped out to a 52-7 halftime (!) lead and never looked back, cruising to a 69-10 win over OSU in Eugene in the 121st playing of the Civil War rivalry Saturday night. And that 121st edition was historic, ignominious even for the Beavers.
The 59-point margin of victory is the largest for either team since the series was first played in 1894. The previous high? A pair of 44-0 Ducks wins, the first back in 1895, the second year of the rivalry, and the second coming in 1987.
The Ducks (7-5) more than doubled up the Beavers on offense, holding a 577-211 advantage in yards that are more reminiscent of a matchup with an FCS opponent. UO ran for 311 yards as part of that, averaging 6.3 yards on its 49 carries.
Individually, UO running back Royce Freeman set the Pac-12 record for career rushing touchdowns (60) and, with 122 yards on the ground, moved into sixth place in NCAA history for 100-yard rushing games with 31.
Percentage-wise, OSU’s 1-11 record is the worst year in the football program’s history, trumping the 1-10 1975/1979/1981/1990/1992/1995 campaigns.