Oregon Ducks fans had to watch the National Championship on Monday with a sour taste in their mouth knowing that their team came up two wins short of playing in the game despite a 12-0 regular season and a Big Ten title.
The team that eliminated Oregon 41-21 in the Rose Bowl, the Ohio State Buckeyes, instead got to feel the flurry of the confetti at Mercedes-Benz Stadium after holding off Notre Dame for a 34-23 win. But despite this year’s national title game being the first in the 12-team College Football Playoff era, it didn’t match the hype of the 2014 CFP National Championship when it comes to TV ratings.
Jan 12, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Oregon Ducks quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) runs the ball against Ohio State Buckeyes defensive lineman Tyquan Lewis (59) during the fourth quarter in the 2015 CFP National Championship Game at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-Imagn Images / Tim Heitman-Imagn Images
That game over a decade ago marked the most recent time the Ducks have played in the national championship of college football. Unfortunately for trophy-hungry Oregon fans, the Ducks were beat by the Buckeyes who were led by third-string quarterback Cardale Jones and star running back Ezekiel Elliott.
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Though their meeting in the Rose Bowl didn’t exactly live up to the hype, the two programs’ historic meeting in the inaugural CFP remains the most-watched national championship in the College Football Playoff era.
In order to make it to that game, Marcus Mariota and the No. 3-seeded Ducks had to head to the Rose Bowl to take down star quarterback Jameis Winston and the Florida State Seminoles, who were the defending national champions.
And in a battle of the No. 1 and No. 2 overall picks in the 2015 NFL Draft a few months later, Mariota got the best of Winston and the Seminoles. Oregon left little doubt in that one, using a 27-point third quarter — highlighted by a 58-yard fumble return for a touchdown by Tony Washington — to cruise to a 59-20 win.
However, the Ducks were unable to build off of that dominant performance and fell short of the program’s first-ever national title once again. The Buckeyes were just too dominant, ending Oregon’s championship hopes with a 42-20 win in the title game.
Jan 12, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Oregon Ducks quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) scrambles against Ohio State Buckeyes defensive tackle Adolphus Washington (92) in the 2015 CFP National Championship Game at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-Imagn Images / Matthew Emmons-Imagn Images
Elliott finished with a historic stat line in the win, totaling 36 carries for 246 yards and four touchdowns. That year’s national championship marked his third straight 200-yard game.
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As for Oregon, Mariota went 24 of 37 passing for 333 yards, two touchdowns and one interception in his final game as a member of the program. Former Ducks receiver Byron Marshall had eight catches for 169 yards and one touchdown.
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Oregon wide receiver Evan Stewart during the Ducks’ annual spring game at Autzen Stadium in Eugene on Saturday, April 27, 2024. Sean Meagher/The Oregonian
Evan Stewart is returning to Oregon in 2026.
The Ducks receiver, who missed all of 2025 due to a torn right patellar, announced his return on Thursday.
Stewart had 48 catches for 613 yards and five touchdowns in 2024 at UO.
He is the ninth UO player to announce he will return next season, joining defensive tackles Bear Alexander and A’Mauri Washington, center Iapani Laloulu, outside linebackers Teitum Tuioti and Matayo Uiagalelei, quarterback Dante Moore and linebacker Jerry Mixon.
With Stewart returning, Oregon is projected to have 73 scholarship players.
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James Crepea is the Oregon Ducks beat reporter and Big Ten sports reporter for The Oregonian/OregonLive. He primarily covers football, men’s basketball, women’s basketball, baseball and softball, as well as…
A career-high 25 points and 11 rebounds from sharpshooting, French wing Isaiah Sy propelled Oregon State men’s basketball to a 76-70 win over Loyola Marymount on Wednesday night at Gill Coliseum.
The Beavers (10-10, 3-4 WCC) also got 21 points from Josiah Lake II in a foul-fest that saw both teams shoot a combined 56 free throws at a 95% clip.
The Lions (11-9, 2-5 WCC) were led by Myron Amey Jr. with 18 points and Rodney Brown Jr. with 17. OSU scored 17 points off LMU’s 15 turnovers.
Despite a poor shooting first half, OSU kept it close with LMU through the first 20 minutes. Brown was hot in the early going, however, scoring 10 quick points to give the Lions an 18-13 lead.
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The Beavers were able to stay in the game by getting to the free throw line, hitting 14 of its 14 attempts in the first half. LMU was also perfect from the stripe in the half, going 11-11.
The Lions committed eight turnovers to OSU’s four in the first half, and after taking a 24-17 at one point, the turnover issue allowed Wayne Tinkle’s team to come back.
OSU retook the lead, 30-29, on a three-pointer by Sy with three minutes left in the half. By the break, it was 37-36 LMU, with OSU shooting just 29% to LMU’s 44%.
Sy came out with back-to-back buckets to open the second half, hoping to energize his team as it took a 41-37 lead. A swished three-pointer by Lake made it 44-37, getting the Gill Coliseum crowd on its feet and forcing an LMU timeout.
OSU rode the momentum and kept forcing turnovers, leading to another three-pointer by Sy to make it 53-42 around the 14 minute mark. The positive energy extended to the OSU bench during a 7-0 run for the Beavers as they surpassed their season-high in steals with 10.
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Sy surpassed his career-high with a fifth three-pointer just as LMU was making a run, extending OSU’s lead to 57-46 with just over 10 minutes remaining.
LMU stormed back over a three-minute period, though, going on a 13-3 run to cut the OSU lead to just one.
A full-court press stymied the rhythm of OSU’s offense, and LMU retook the lead, 59-58, with just over six minutes left.
The teams traded baskets with the score swinging back and forth, and Johan Munch fouled out for OSU on an illegal screen with 3:39 remaining. Two free throws by Sy gave OSU the lead back, 65-63, shortly after.
Trailing by four, Amey missed a three for LMU with just over 90 seconds remaining, and OSU milked the clock as much as it could.
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LMU’s five-minute scoreless streak snapped with a corner three-pointer by Brown, cutting it to 68-66 with 50 seconds left.
But Jorge Diaz Graham and Sy hit their free throws down the stretch, and OSU was able to hang on for the win.
Next game: Oregon State (10-10, 3-4 WCC) vs. Pacific (12-8, 3-4 WCC)
EUGENE – The Oregon Ducks advanced further into the postseason than they did a year ago, but the end of the 2025 season still left much to be desired. Several starters were quick to announce their intention to forgo the 2026 NFL Draft and return to Eugene.
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Among the players with major decisions to make about their future was Oregon receiver Evan Stewart. Stewart missed the 2025 season with an injury after being considered an early-round prospect by NFL scouts. Stewart is expected to return to Oregon for another year, per Matt Zenitz of CBS Sports.
Wide Receiver Evan Stewart Makes NFL Decision
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Dec 30, 2024; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Oregon Ducks wide receiver Evan Stewart (7) poses during Rose Bowl media day at Sheraton Grand LA. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images | Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
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Stewart faced a tricky decision back in 2025 when it came to declaring for the NFL Draft or staying in Eugene. It was a decision that he had to figure out once again, with eligibility remaining due to injury.
The wide receiver spent the 2025 season sidelined due to a torn patellar injury. He inched closer to his return during the College Football Playoffs, but never saw the field.
Stewart showed his pro potential during the 2024 season in his first year with the Ducks after transferring. He recorded 613 yards and five touchdowns on 48 receptions in 2024.
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Nov 16, 2024; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Oregon Ducks wide receiver Evan Stewart (7) rushes with the football in front of Wisconsin Badgers cornerback Ricardo Hallman (2) after catching a pass during the fourth quarter at Camp Randall Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images | Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images
He spoke about his draft decision during the Ducks’ semifinal matchup against the Indiana Hoosiers. The opportunity to finally play with Oregon quarterback Dante Moore seemed to play a factor in whether or not he’d return.
“Me and Dante were going to be something,” Stewart told 247Sports’ Erik Skopil. “I still want to play with him. If he comes back, it’s going to be lit, I know that.”
Moore was projected to be a top-two pick in the draft, with many believing the New York Jets wouldselect him No. 2 overall. He announced on SportsCenter that he would return to Eugene for another season. Ducks fans should have the opportunity to finally see Moore and Stewart in action together in 2026.
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Oregon Ducks’ 2026 Wide Receiver Room
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Oregon wide receiver Jeremiah McClellan carries the ball on a return during an open practice ahead of the Orange Bowl at the Moshofsky Center in Eugene, Oregon on Dec. 27, 2025. | Ben Lonergan/The Register-Guard / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
The Ducks are set to have a loaded wide receiver room in 2026 with Stewart expected to return. Oregon does lose veteran wide receiver Gary Bryant Jr. and its leading receiver in 2025, Malik Benson, due to both players running out of eligibility. Former Oregon wide receivers Justius Lowe, Kyler Kasper and Cooper Perry all entered the transfer portal.
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But the program does return former five-star Dakorien Moore, who will enter his sophomore season. Moore missed some time in 2025 due to injury, but still recorded 497 receiving yards and three receiving touchdowns, as well as a rushing touchdown.
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Jan 9, 2026; Atlanta, GA, USA; Oregon Ducks wide receiver Dakorien Moore (1) runs the ball against Indiana Hoosiers defensive back Amare Ferrell (1) during the second half of the 2025 Peach Bowl and semifinal game of the College Football Playoff at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images | Brett Davis-Imagn Images
Moore should continue to thrive as a focal point of the Oregon offense. Meanwhile, Ducks wide receiver Jeremiah McClellan comes off a breakout redshirt freshman season. He tallied three touchdowns and 557 receiving yards.
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The Ducks will have a handful a pair of standout freshmen next season. Jalen Lott joins the team after being a consensus top-five wide receiver in the 2026 recruiting class. Former five-star recruit Gatlin Bair will also be part of the wide receiver room after serving on a two-year mission. The program is also set to bring in freshman wide receivers Messiah Hampton and Hudson Lewis.
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Coach Dan Lanning added a former UAB wide receiver from the transfer portal. Iverson Hooks joins the team with two years of eligibility remaining and is expected to work in the slot with Bryant gone. He finished the 2025 season with seven touchdowns and 927 yards on 72 receptions.
