Oregon-Oregon State late-game scrum pours fuel on already intense rivalry

The Oregon-Oregon State game doesn't have a unique name anymore.

Nor does the rivalry get the national attention some other rivalries across the nation receive.

While many will see the Ducks' 38-29 defeat of the Beavers on Saturday afternoon on highlight reels, the intensity of the rivalry won't show up in any box score.

Case in point, just when it seemed like Oregon (10-2, 7-2 Pac-12) was going to run away with the game in the fourth quarter, Oregon State kept fighting back literally and figuratively as the Beavers scored 18 points in the final 15 minutes. This made for a hostile situation on the field at Autzen Stadium.

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The game was chippy the entire afternoon with a lot of trash-talking among the two sides, but nothing compared to the fight in the end zone late in the fourth quarter. After Oregon State cut its deficit to 38-29 with 1:07 left in regulation, an all-out brawl broke out between the Ducks and the Beavers.

As a scrum ensued in the end zone after Chance Nolan's quarterback sneak, Oregon State wide receiver Tre'Shaun Harrison was in the middle of the pile-up as he appeared to throw a punch. Harrison was later ejected for fighting; the officials also gave offsetting unsportsmanlike penalties to both Oregon and Oregon State.

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"Just growing up in Oregon, Oregon and Oregon State fans really don't get along," Oregon linebacker Nate Heaukulani said. "It was very intense, and this game meant a lot to us because they took it last year in their place.

"It meant a lot to us, and I know it meant a lot to them. I'm sure it was frustrating with Washington State winning last night and not giving them a shot. They're a great team, and they played hard today.

"It got intense today, but we just have to keep full heads because we have a big game next weekend."

This is just the latest chapter in what has become a bigger rivalry as of late. Last season, while Oregon won its second consecutive Pac-12 championship, the Beavers defeated the Ducks 41-38 in Corvallis.

This series has been largely one-sided, with the Ducks having a 67-48-10. However, the Beavers are certainly a better team under coach Jonathan Smith. Even with the loss, Oregon State (7-5, 5-4) will play in a bowl game for the first time since 2013.

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Smith joined the Beavers in 2018 after a four-year stint in Washington as the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach under Chris Petersen.

"Things got a little bit heated in the end, and you wish it doesn't because that's not part of the game," Oregon coach Mario Cristobal said. "That's just frustration leaking out as we are all responsible on both sides, and we can't let that stuff happen.

"This game is really important as you saw a lot of talk today and throughout the week on rivalry week. Teams when they play on rivalry week they carry the support of whatever logo they play for with them. When you do, you're playing for a lot more than just the guys in the locker room.

"That's why I think it carries that extra energy. The extra stuff carries you over, and I think we felt that today."

As for Oregon, a win against Oregon State means a rematch against Utah on Friday. Last week in Salt Lake City, Oregon was boat-raced by Utah as the Utes rushed for 208 yards in their 38-7 victory. Now the Ducks will have the opportunity for a measure of revenge in Las Vegas.

With a win, the Ducks claim their third consecutive Pac-12 championship and a trip to the Rose Bowl against a Big Ten opponent, possibly a rematch against Ohio State.

A second loss to Utah means Oregon will be relegated to a lesser bowl such as the Alamo Bowl in San Antonio. But after an emotional victory, the Ducks are just going to continue to use their 1-0 approach and get prepared for Utah on Friday night.

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"We will be in early tomorrow ready to work," Oregon safety Verone McKinley III said. "We know what we want to do, and we know what the task is.

"We know what's at stake, and we are ready to go. We didn't like what the outcome was last time, so we are here again, part two."

Contact Antwan Staley at astaley@registerguard.com and follow him on Twitter @antwanstaley.

This article originally appeared on Register-Guard: Oregon-Oregon State late-game scrum pours fuel on already intense rivalry