USC vs. Oregon score, takeaways: Ducks upset No. 13 Trojans to claim second straight Pac-12 title

Oregon may not have won its own division, but it managed to defend its conference title from 2019

The journey to get there was wildly unconventional, but Oregon captured its second straight Pac-12 championship on Friday night by withstanding another late rally from USC to win 31-24. USC entered 5-0 with a trio of last-minute victories to its credit, but the Trojans could never quite climb out of an early 14-0 hole, despite another late comeback effort.

USC had the football trailing by seven late in the fourth quarter, but Kedon Slovis' third interception of the night proved to be a costly one. As the USC quarterback scrambled out of the pocket to evade pressure with less than three minutes left, he made an ill-advised throw down the sideline in Oregon territory instead of just throwing the football away. The attempted heroics backfired when Oregon's Jamal Hill managed to control the ball and tap his toes for an interception after bobbling the football initially. 

Then, with Boston College transfer Anthony Brown in at quarterback, Oregon got a first down, which allowed the Ducks to run the clock down under a minute before punting it back to USC. But the Trojans' last-gasp effort with no timeouts yielded no results.

This was the conference title matchup that was predicted in the league's preseason media poll. But Oregon was not actually supposed to be here. Rather, Washington (3-1) was supposed to represent the Pac-12 North in the title game. However, second-place Oregon got the nod when the Huskies encountered COVID-19 issues that prevented them from playing.

The Ducks rose to No. 9 in the AP Top 25 poll during a 3-0 start before consecutive losses to Oregon State and Cal in recent weeks ended their chances of making any noise on the national scene. However, Oregon appeared to have put the woes of those defeats far in the past as it came out blazing on Friday. The Ducks picked off Slovis twice in the first quarter to set up a pair of touchdowns as the Ducks took a 14-0 lead.

Though USC battled back within a touchdown three times, the Trojans could never get any closer. After an abbreviated season of late-game heroics, their clutch magic finally ran out.

Ducks' depth at QB a factor

Brown had not played in the Ducks' first five games entering Friday night, but he entered and attempted his first pass in a big moment in the first quarter. Cornerback Deommodore Lenoir set Oregon up inside USC's 10-yard-line with an interception on USC's first series. The Ducks faced a third-and-goal when Brown checked in for starting quarterback Tyler Shough and hit Jaylon Redd for a touchdown to put Oregon up 7-0. Brown also threw a short touchdown pass in the third quarter to put Oregon up 28-14, capping a 14-play drive. Though Brown attempted just four passes compared to Shough's 15, his presence as a second quarterback in the game was effective and something the Trojans had not seen on tape.

It wasn't the only time an Oregon backup quarterback made an impact. Cale Millen, a redshirt freshman who is not listed as one of the Ducks' top three quarterbacks, played on special teams and made a tackle in kickoff coverage during the second quarter. 

Thibodeaux shines 

Oregon sophomore defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux won the game's MVP award. He came up huge late in the third quarter after USC recovered an onside kick while trailing 28-17. It appeared the Trojans had stolen the game's momentum with the bold special teams play. But then Thibodeaux sacked Slovis for a nine-yard loss on third down to force a USC punt and swing control of the game back in Oregon's favor. Thibodeaux finished with five total tackles and also had a pass breakup while consistently getting pressure in Slovis' face. He's going to be a major factor in 2021 and among the top defensive players in the country.

[Dec 18, 2020 at 11:56 pm ET · David Cobb]

Well, it was a weird Pac-12 season. But that was a legitimately great game. USC will feel like it should have run. I go back to Oregon's drive to begin the third quarter. Ate half the quarter clock and put Oregon up 28-14. Big moment for the Oregon offense, which to that point had only scored on short fields.

[Dec 18, 2020 at 11:38 pm ET · David Cobb]

Kedon Slovis nearly throws an interception after scrambling to evade pressure. Should have thrown it away, but Jamal Hill was there on the sideline to try and pick. They're going to review it to make sure he didn't get a foot down.

[Dec 18, 2020 at 11:37 pm ET · David Cobb]

USC is driving with a chance to tie it. Oregon has no answer for the Trojans' physical receivers. Under three mins left...

[Dec 18, 2020 at 11:29 pm ET · David Cobb]

Three-and-out for Oregon, and USC will get the football back down 31-24 with under five minutes to go. Ducks fortunate they're getting to punt this one after Shough threw up a jump-ball on third down that fell incomplete.

[Dec 18, 2020 at 11:25 pm ET · David Cobb]

The magic is real. USC just won't go away. Trojans convert on fourth down twice (Slovis to McCoy both times) and score to draw within 31-24 with 6:16 remaining.

[Dec 18, 2020 at 11:22 pm ET · David Cobb]

Huge blow for USC's comeback effort.

[Dec 18, 2020 at 11:20 pm ET · David Cobb]

Wow, what a huge fourth down conversion. USC was on the ropes but Slovis finds Bru McCoy for 28 yards to the Oregon 20. 31-17 Oregon with 8:13 left.

[Dec 18, 2020 at 11:18 pm ET · David Cobb]

Alright, what does USC have up its sleeve here. Trojans in Oregon territory trailing 31-17 with under 9 minutes to go. Do they have one more comeback in them?

[Dec 18, 2020 at 10:58 pm ET · David Cobb]

USC either scored or got to scoring position on four of its last five drives (one ended in a missed FG) before the punt after the onside kick. Huge stand by Oregon's defense.