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.

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.

Here’s the full list:

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.

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.

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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I am deeply concerned about the significant fire risks posed by the use and sale of fireworks in Oregon. I urge our state government to take action to make fireworks illegal statewide.

The devastating wildfires in California have shown us how a single spark from any source can lead to catastrophic consequences.

Oregon faces similar risks, particularly in July, when dry and highly flammable vegetation creates a tinderbox environment. Allowing fireworks under these conditions unnecessarily endangers our communities, wildlife and natural resources.

By banning fireworks, we can take a proactive step to prevent avoidable fires and help to ensure the safety of our state. I kindly ask for leadership in advocating for this critical change by reaching out to our legislators and supporting policies that prioritize fire prevention.

I appreciate efforts to protect Oregon from the increasing threat of wildfires.

Scott McMullin, Lake Oswego

To read more letters to the editor, go to oregonlive.com/opinion.

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) —  High Desert Museum gave families a chance to spend quality time together, for free.  High Desert Museum welcomed hundreds of families, on Saturday, to experience the Mid Oregon Credit Union family free day. 

“Well, I like that we can go and see all the cool animals,” La Pine resident, Piper Lockman said. “I really haven’t been here ever, except, like, for field trips and school. So it’s really fun, cause some things we didn’t really get to see when we were in the school field trip. So I’m glad that i get to experience that now.”

It’s a chance for families to observe and interact with the latest exhibits and wildlife encounters, for free. 

High Desert Museum’s director of communications & visitor experience, Heidi Hagemeier, told us what people can expect.

“It’s really a wonderful day to throw open our doors to the community,” she said. “They can see everything from otters to art.”

The excitement of free day brought people waiting eagerly outside the museums doors. 

“We see, grandparents and parents and people who may not have been able to really kind of afford and just really enjoy this day, to be able to come in and have a family day,” Stephanie Curtis, Mid Oregon Credit Unions Marketing and Community Engagement Specialist said.

“It’s just been wonderful. It brings a lot of smiles.”

High Desert Museum will be hosting another free day with Mid Oregon Credit Union on February 22.