Oregon wins trip to Pasadena

Reporting from Eugene, Ore. — 

Oregon’s year started on a Thursday night and ended on Thursday night, but the difference between Thursdays was night and day.

Coming full-season circle after a disastrous opening loss at Boise State on Sept. 3, a game that ended with an ugly punch that cast Oregon in a negative light, the Ducks bathed in a different glow Dec. 3 with a 37-33 victory over Oregon State that reclaimed what was lost as they claimed the Pacific 10 Conference crown.

Oregon (10-2) now advances to the Rose Bowl for the first time since the 1994 season, and Oregon State will go to a different bowl after being denied by Oregon a chance at Pasadena for the second time in as many tears.

Oregon will play Ohio State, on Jan. 1, six days in advance of the Bowl Championship Series title game, after LaMichael James rushed for 166 yards and three touchdowns.

“We always knew we were capable of this kind of greatness,” Oregon quarterback Jeremiah Masoli said. “We just had our hardships along the way.”

The 113th Civil War was a sensational game, and it was sensationally civil.

It was the first time in the game’s storied history that the Rose Bowl was on the line for both schools, and these two schools held the line all night.

It was so corny-good at times it almost seemed scripted.

LeGarrette Blount, the senior tailback who had not played a down since sucker-punching Byron Hout in the Boise State opener, returned in the second half, in which his services were definitely needed.

Blount plowed for a 12-yard touchdown run in the third quarter to cut Oregon State’s lead to two, and later added a 30-yard run on a final drive that helped run the clock out on Oregon State’s hopes.

Blount was originally suspended for the season by first-year Coach Chip Kelly, but was reinstated in November after missing eight games.

He was in uniform for Oregon’s last two games but did not play.

Now we know what he was being saved for: Blount was to be deployed as the second-half secret weapon in the biggest Civil War ever contested.

You can’t say these teams should meet more often, because this series has tree roots that date to the 19th century.

But when has there ever been drama like this?

The wind-chill factor of 25 degrees at Autzen Stadium almost matched the goose-bump factor. The momentum and the lead swayed back and forth.

Oregon State, which lost 65-38 to Oregon last year in Corvallis, wasn’t about to let that happen again.

The Beavers scored first, led at the half, 23-21, and extended the lead to 30-21 early in the third on Sean Canfield’s nine-yard scoring pass to Casey Kjos.

After Blount’s touchdown run cut the lead to 30-28, Oregon State added a field goal to increase the margin to five.

Oregon took the lead for good, with 1:20 left in the third quarter, when James dashed 52 yards down the left sideline for a score.

Morgan Flint’s fourth-quarter field goal extended the Oregon lead to four, and then the game down to three dramatic fourth-down plays.

Facing fourth and 15 at the Oregon 27, with 6:16 left, less than 30 yards from the go-ahead score, Oregon State Coach Mike Riley elected not to attempt a 45-yard field goal to cut the lead to one.

After calling timeout, Oregon State opted to go for the first down and failed when Canfield’s intended pass for James Rodgers fell incomplete.

But the game was far from over.

Oregon took over with 6:09 left and drove quickly down the field, but faced fourth and three at the Oregon State 33 with 3:29 left.

This time Oregon called time, to consider the options. Kelly decided to put the game in the hands of Masoli, which is usually a good idea.

The junior quarterback was met short of the first-down marker by Lance Mitchell, but he forcefully bowled over the Oregon State safety on his way to a six-yard gain.

But the game still wasn’t over.

Oregon faced fourth and two at the 19 with 1:32 left when Masoli raced left and then pitched the ball to Kenjon Barner, who gained five yards for the game-clinching first down.

The Ducks ran out the clock, and it was time to celebrate.

chris.dufresne@latimes.com