Since Chip Kelly took the helm as head coach, he is unbeatable at Autzen Stadium, handily beating visiting teams as they come in facing the raucous Oregon fans. But head coach Lane Kiffin's first visit at Autzen Stadium proved otherwise as his USC Trojans stopped the rallying Oregon Ducks and defeat them, 38-35.
Matt Barkley led the charge, completing 26 of 35 yards for 323 yards and four touchdown passes with one interception. Two of those touchdown passes were to wide receiver Robert Woods, who started the game amid missing key practice time. Woods finished the game with seven grabs for 53 yards.
His friend and fellow Serra alum, Marqise Lee, had a career game, carving up the Duck's secondary with eight catches for 187 yards and a touchdown.
USC led the game in the 3rd quarter 31-14 before the Ducks charged for a serious run. The Ducks outscored USC 28-17 in the second half and holding the Trojans scoreless in the fourth quarter.
In the 4th, Oregon RB De'Anthony Thomas returned a kickoff for a touchdown, swinging momentum to the Ducks. After a 3-and-out by USC, the Ducks scored again with a 2:17 drive, pulling within 11 points. The Ducks would score again and convert a two-point conversion, rallying to 38-35 with just under five minutes to go.
Trojans rebounded with a drive of their own, but a fumble by RB Marc Tyler inside the 10-yard line recovered by Oregon put the Trojans gassed defense against the fast-tempo'd Ducks offense.
With under five seconds to go, Ducks kicker Alejandro Maldonado missed a 37-yard field goal sealing the Trojans a victory. This is the Trojans first win the state of Oregon since 2005.
USC will host rivals UCLA next week at the Coliseum as they will try to win 10 games for the season.