Oregon aims to remain unbeaten in series history vs. Oklahoma State

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Week 2 presents the first road trip for the Oregon Ducks, and it will take the program somewhere it has never been before: Stillwater, Oklahoma.

Oklahoma State is a Big 12 program with a rich history in college football, including plenty of NFL draft picks, a lone Heisman Trophy winner that has become synonymous with the program, and claiming a national championship in 1945. Aside from the national title, that's fairly similar to what Oregon has built in Eugene since the turn of the century.

Oregon and Oklahoma State are set to complete a home-and-home series this weekend in what is just the third-ever matchup between the two programs. So far, the Ducks own both games in the series, winning both by multiple scores.

The Ducks and Cowboys first shared the field on Dec. 30, 2008, in the Holiday Bowl, which featured plenty of points. Oregon erased a 17-7 halftime deficit to come back and win 42-31 and claim bragging rights in the first-ever meeting. Jeremiah Masoli led Oregon with four total touchdowns, including three on the ground. Jeremiah Johnson and Masoli both rushed for over 100 yards, while LeGarrette Blount added 74 yards and a score as well.

While Oregon had a well-rounded attack, rushing for more than 300 yards and passing for more than 250 yards, Oklahoma State had a potent passing game. Quarterback Zac Robinson threw for 329 yards and a touchdown, connecting with star wideout Dez Bryant often. Bryant made 16 catches for 167 yards and a touchdown.

The Ducks' defense did snag a pair of interceptions off Robinson as well, with safety Jarius Byrd and corner Walter Thurmond III each creating a turnover. Patrick Chung led the Oregon defense with 10 tackles.

Despite entering the game as a 3.5-point underdog, the Ducks won by 11, and Masoli was crowned MVP of the game after leading a furious scoring barrage in the second half.

17 years later, the two programs found their way back to each other. The most recent matchup is still fresh in the minds of Ducks fans, and something Cowboys fans would like to forget. Ahead of the 2024 matchup in Eugene, Oklahoma State coach Mike Gundy gave Dan Lanning some bulletin board material when discussing the NIL difference in the two programs.

"I think Oregon spent close to $40 (million) last year alone," Gundy said. "So, that was just one year. Now, I might be off a few million. … From a nonconference standpoint, there's coaches saying they should (play teams with similar budgets)."

Lanning was brief and succinct with his response, acknowledging Oregon's spending advantages, but also the reason why.

"We spend to win," Lanning said. "Some people save to have an excuse for why they don't. … I can't speak on their situation; I have no idea what they got in their pockets over there."

The disparity in talent was evident on the field, as the Ducks won 69-3, marking the largest margin of victory over a Power 4 team in program history. Oregon scored two touchdowns before the first two minutes of the game had come off the clock, and also scored on a pair of pick-sixes in the third quarter.

Dante Moore aired it out, throwing for 266 yards and three touchdowns, while several Ducks combined to help the offense run for over 300 yards again. Dakorien Moore also scored his first two touchdowns as a Duck, the first of which came on a 65-yard pass from Moore early in the game. The Oregon defense held Oklahoma State to just 67 yards passing and only nine first downs.

A lot has changed for Oklahoma State since then, including hiring coach Eric Morris and bringing in 91 new players, many of whom transferred to follow Morris from North Texas. Although the Cowboys fell in their season opener at Tulsa, the Ducks are expecting Boone Pickens Stadium to be rocking for Oklahoma State's home opener under a new regime.

Oregon is a heavy favorite again as the Ducks and Oklahoma State are set to kick off the third game in their series history on Sept. 12 at 9 a.m. PT, with the game airing live on ESPN.

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This article originally appeared on Ducks Wire: Oregon aims to remain unbeaten in series history vs. Oklahoma State

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