Johnson Has Big Game for Ducks

Pat Johnson had touchdown receptions of 90, 45 and 36 yards and returned a punt 74 yards for another score Saturday as Oregon routed Oregon State, 48-30, to clinch its fourth consecutive winning season.

Johnson, in his final home game, also returned the opening kickoff 59 yards to help set up his first score. His 337 all-purpose yards were one short of Oregon’s record of 338 set by Bobby Moore, now known as Ahmad Rashad, against Utah in 1971.

Johnson’s 90-yard reception in the fourth quarter was the second-longest pass play ever at Oregon.

“This is the best way that I want to finish my season, the best way,” Johnson said. “This is better than Washington. This is a better feeling than when I went to the Rose Bowl. Maybe it’s because I was younger then and I didn’t really understand. But this is a better feeling.”

Johnson, already etched into Duck football lore with his game-winning catch against Washington three weeks ago, might have run the Ducks right into a post-season bid.

“I know it’s enough to carry him to the next level,” Oregon Coach Mike Bellotti said. “I hope it carries us to another game.”

The Ducks, 6-5 overall and 3-5 in the Pacific 10, had not had four consecutive winning seasons since the 1930s.

They beat the Beavers (3-8, 0-8) for the fourth consecutive time and 19th in the last 23 meetings.