Oregon football live updates: No. 6 Ducks vs. USC Trojans
No. 6 Oregon football is soaring following yet another dominant win over California and will look to keep that momentum rolling against USC at 7:30 Saturday at Autzen Stadium.
Saturday's game against the Trojans will be the first matchup between the teams in Eugene since 2015.
Southern California brings along with it 2022 Heisman Trophy winning quarterback Caleb Williams who is leading one of the best offenses in the country, a defense that’s in disarray and most likely, a team with giant chip on its shoulder following three losses over its last four games.
No. 6 Oregon (8-1, 5-1 Pac-12) will counter with current Heisman Trophy contending quarterback Bo Nix, an offense and defense playing at an elite level, and the knowledge it can afford no mistakes over the final three weeks of the regular season in order to play for a conference championship and earn its way into the College Football Playoff.
“I’m excited and I know it’s going to be a really fun game,” Ducks quarterback Bo Nix said. “We get to play at night under the lights and that’s everybody’s dream, it’s where football is really fun.”
Look for live updates and photos here from The Register-Guard throughout the game on Saturday.
5 p.m.: Oregon football vs. USC kickoff time set
Kickoff for Oregon's game against USC is set for 7:40 p.m. The game will be televised on FOX.
6:30 p.m.: Oregon-USC gets new kickoff time
The game will now begin at 7:45 p.m.
8 p.m.: Oregon electrifies crowd with TD
Wide receiver Tez Johnson scored on a 77-yard catch and run at the 11:00 mark of the first quarter to take a 7-0 lead. It was the Ducks' second offensive play of the game. Johnson caught a pass from quarterback Bo Nix at the Oregon 45 and spun out of attempted tackles by safeties Max Williams and Calen Bullock and raced 55 yards into the end zone.
8:10 p.m.: USC answers with a score
MarShawn Lloyd scored on a 5-yard run to make it 7-7 with 5:37 to play in the first quarter. The drive was highlighted by several plays from quarterback Caleb Williams extending plays with his escapability.
8:17 p.m.: Another explosive play puts Oregon in lead
Wide receiver Troy Franklin took a pass 84 yards for a touchdown as the Ducks scored again on big play to go up 13-7 with 4:11 to play in the first quarter. On second-and-13 from the Oregon 16, quarterback Bo Nix connected with Franklin at the 30 yard line and the receiver did the rest, going 70 yards untouched into the end zone. The 2-point pass attempt failed.
First quarter recap
What happened: Oregon quarterback Bo Nix threw TD passes of 84 and 77 yards and the Ducks hold a 14-7 lead.
The big play: Oregon struck first on a 77-yard catch-and-run TD by wide receiver Tez Johnson.
Momentum swing: After USC tied the score at 7-7, receiver Troy Franklin took a pass 84 yards untouched for the go-ahead score.
Beyond the boxscore: Several former Ducks are in attendance, including quarterback Marcus Mariota, running back Kenjon Barner, linebacker Casey Matthews, safety John Boyett and quarterback Norv Turner.
8:45 p.m.: Oregon extends lead to 19-7
Bo Nix connected with tight end Terrance Ferguson on a 15-yard pass play as the Ducks capped the first drive of the second quarter with a TD at the 10:49 mark. The 2-point conversion attempt was not good. The drive included a fourth-and-one at the Oregon 46. Nix ran for no gain but USC defensive end Solomon Byrd was offsides, giving the Ducks a first down.
9:05 p.m.: The Ducks continue to tally points
Camden Lewis kicked a 33-yard field goal with 1:59 to play in the half and Oregon's lead is now 22-7.
Second quarter recap
What happened: Oregon outscored USC 9-7 in the quarter to lead 22-14 at halftime. The Ducks will get the ball to open the second half.
The big play: Bo Nix threw his third TD pass of the game, a 15-yarder to Terrance Ferguson.
Momentum swing: USC scored on a 2-yard run by quarterback Caleb Williams with 12 seconds to play in the half.
Beyond the boxscore: Receiver Troy Franklin goes into halftime with two catches for 147 yards and has become the first player since Dillon Mitchell in 2018 to record a 1,000-yard season for the Ducks.
9:48 p.m.: Oregon caps long 3Q drive with TD
Bo Nix spun and scrambled out of pressure and found Tez Johnson alone in the end zone for a 21-yard TD reception. The score put the Ducks up 29-14 with 8:17 to play in the third quarter and capped a 12-play, 85-yard drive that lasted 6:43. It was the fourth TD pass of the game for Nix, and second touchdown catch for Johnson.
10:10 p.m.: Oregon gets game's first takeaway
Safety Evan Williams recovered a fumble at the USC 48 with 2:24 to play in the third quarter following a poor exchange between quarterback Caleb Williams and running back Austin Jones on a hand off.
Third quarter recap
What happened: Oregon leads 29-14 and has the ball at the USC 18 when the fourth quarter begins.
The big play: Bo Nix’s fourth TD pass of the game was a 21-yarder to Tez Johnson to give the Ducks a 29-14 lead.
Momentum swing: Safety Evan Williams recovered a USC fumble near midfield. It was the first turnover of the game for either team.
10:20 p.m.: Bucky Irving with the rushing TD
Running back Bucky Irving scored on an 18-yard run on the first play of the fourth quarter and the Ducks now lead 36-14 with 14:55 to play in the game.
11 p.m.: Back-to-back TDs in the fourth by USC makes it 36-27
The Trojans have scored twice in the fourth quarter but it's still a two-score lead for the Ducks with 3:00 to play.
11:10 p.m.: Oregon defeats USC, 36-27
Bo Nix threw for 412 yards and four TDs as the Ducks improved to 9-1 overall and 6-1 in Pac-12 play with their win against the Trojans. USC's Heisman Trophy winner Caleb Williams threw for 291 yards and one TD.
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Follow Chris Hansen on Twitter @chansen_RG or email at chansen@registerguard.com. For more sports coverage, visit registerguard.com. Want more stories like this? Subscribe to get unlimited access and support local journalism.
This article originally appeared on Salem Statesman Journal: Oregon Ducks football vs. USC Trojans: Updates, score, photos
