Oregon Coug’d it and won’t be playing in the Pac-12 Championship game.
The No. 9 Ducks blew a 21-point lead in a 38-34 loss to No. 21 Oregon State at Reser Stadium Saturday afternoon.
The Ducks (9-3, 7-2 Pac-12) left their destiny up to the Huskies and Cougars to decide. Washington won 51-33 in Pullman, eliminating Oregon from what would have been its fourth straight conference title game appearance.
“We’ll be paying attention to (the Apple Cup) close for sure,” Oregon coach Dan Lanning said. “We had the opportunity to make sure we didn’t put it in somebody else’s hands today and we didn’t do that.”
Bo Nix threw for a 327 yards and two touchdowns, including a season-high 136 yards and a score to Chase Cota, but it wasn’t enough. Oregon led 31-10 with 4:46 to go in the third quarter, but multiple special teams blunders and three fourth-quarter drives that ended with turnovers on downs led to a massive Oregon State comeback.
“I think it’s frustrating because we had our chances,” Nix said. “I think that’s what is tough because you look in the mirror you got own it and know that we had our chances and we didn’t do that. I could have done a better job.”
No. 6 USC (11-1, 8-1) will play Utah in the Pac-12 Championship game at 5 p.m. Friday at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.
Oregon awaits its bowl destination and matchup, which will be announced Dec. 4.
