Counting Down the Top Games of the Decade Between Oregon and Stanford (Part 2)

Over the past decade, the rivalry between Oregon and Stanford has produced some serious drama and a lineup of memorable games.

Oregon will begin regular season play against Stanford this Saturday in Palo Alto, in a game that is heavily anticipated due to the drama of their previous handful of matchups. The Ducks are seeking revenge against the Cardinal after last year’s complete meltdown when they blew a late 17-point at home.

Over the last decade, this pair of teams have become nothing short of rivals, producing a handful of classics. It seems that each year, one team is breaking the other’s heart, along with their chances of playing in a big bowl game, conference title, or even the National Championship.

Ahead of another potential thriller, we want to revisit and rank each game in the past decade, hoping to refresh our collective memories of all the theatrics and stunners that have taken place.

#5 | 2010 — No. 4 Oregon: 52, No. 9 Stanford: 31

Eugene, OR

Stanford jumped out 21-3 in an opening quarter that featured Andrew Luck carving the Ducks’ defense. Things turned awfully quick in this game, as they did often under Kelly. Sophomore QB Darren Thomas hit fan-favorite Jeff Maehl for a quick touchdown, and the Ducks recovered an onsides kick on the ensuing kickoff.

The good times kept rolling for the Ducks, as eventual Heisman runner-up LaMichael James would go on to dash for 257 yards and 3 touchdowns. Stud cornerback Cliff Harris would have two timely interceptions, making a big name for himself in Eugene; and an unfriendly rivalry between Chip Kelly and Jim Harbaugh — one that would expand into the NFL — had officially begun. Ahh, the good ole days.

#4 | 2009 — Stanford: 51, No. 8 Oregon: 42

Palo Alto, CA

Chip Kelly had rallied the Ducks to seven straight wins heading into this game in his first season as head coach, after losing in his debut at Boise State in more-or-less embarrassing fashion (the infamous LeGarrette Blount punch). Quarterback Jeremiah Masoli’s Heisman hype was on the rise, and Oregon was at the very beginning of what would be a dominant five-year run.

Andrew Luck led unranked Stanford in his first season as a redshirt-freshmen under third-year head coach Jim Harbough, who now coaches at Michigan. The story of this game was Oregon’s inability to stop Stanford running back and eventual Heisman runner-up Toby Gearheart. He ran for 223 yards and 3 touchdowns — and although the Ducks made a good comeback effort in the fourth quarter, the Cardinal were able to hold on when they sealed the game with a late field goal, and squash Oregon’s hopes of going to the Natty.

#3 | 2018 — No. 7 Stanford: 38, No. 20 Oregon: 31

Eugene, OR

Yet another absolute heart-breaker for the Ducks at Autzen. In Mario Cristobal’s first big game as the Ducks’ head coach, Stanford was able to march all the way back from down 17 points late in the third quarter to not only force overtime but also later win the game.

Fans of the Cardinal will tell you this was an epic comeback, and those of the Ducks will call it an epic meltdown. In reality, we can say it was a bit of both.

After having a touchdown wiped off the board, Oregon fumbled a few plays later in the redzone and the ball was returned all the way for a Stanford touchdown. The Cardinal rode the momentum all the way to overtime, as Heisman contender Bryce Love finally got it going on the ground.

Dillon Mitchell nearly broke the single-game receptions and receiving yards records for the Ducks, with 14 catches for 239 yards. This went a bit overlooked due to a sad ending for Oregon, but it’s a fun stat nonetheless.

#2 | 2015 — Oregon: 38, No. 7 Stanford: 36

Palo Alto, CA

This game ranks high in what was an absolute classic in Palo Alto. Vernon Adams led the Ducks at quarterback, with Royce Freeman and Charles Nelson taking the majority of the carries.

Kevin Hogan was under center for Stanford for the third straight year, and running back Christain McCaffrey was doing all the heavy lifting on the ground. McCaffrey is yet another Heisman runner-up to be added to the list of stars from this last decade of games between these two teams.

In what was a back-and-forth game all the way throughout, Oregon was able to hang on when they stopped a Stanford 2-point conversion with only ten seconds left that would have tied the game.

In games between these two teams, it seemingly doesn’t matter where teams are ranked, or who is supposed to win. Anything and everything should be expected, and this game was proof of just that.

#1 | 2012 — No. 12 Stanford: 17, No. 1 Oregon: 14

Eugene, OR

A lot had changed in one year, and this time it was Stanford’s turn to beat the Ducks at home and demolish any National Championship hopes, in what was an absolute classic at Autzen stadium.

Luck and Harbaugh had both departed for the NFL, and this rivalry was becoming familiar as a clash of the Pac-12’s best, back when the conference had some actual respect on its name. Marcus Mariota led the Ducks at quarterback as a redshirt-freshmen and had some serious Heisman hype flowing. David Shaw had replaced Harbaugh as the Cardinal head coach and did a fantastic job preparing his team in what was the biggest game of his coaching career at the time.

Oregon led nearly the entire way until now big-time pro tight end Zach Ertz caught a miraculous touchdown with 1:35 left to go in the fourth quarter. The game would go to overtime, and the Ducks would miss their first of what became many heartbreaking, botched field goal attempts of the era. Stanford took advantage, knocked down their field goal, and won the game.

To this day, this game is one Duck fans do not speak about, as they needed just one more win to earn a date with Alabama in the Championship.

Oregon looks to bounce back this Saturday after last season’s disastrous blown lead at home. If last year’s game gave us anything, it is the certainty that this rivalry is alive and well. Make sure to have your popcorn ready for what could be yet another close battle to the finish.