Oregon in the BCS and College Football Playoff

Chip Kelly's first postseason game. Oregon had won 10 games and earned its first Rose Bowl trip since 1994. Ohio State's Terrelle Pryor was too much in the second half. LeGarrette Blount did not play (suspended since the season opener). Oregon's offense stalled after halftime. But being back in Pasadena after 15 years mattered. This was the beginning.

12-0 regular season. LaMichael James rushed for 159 yards. Lost to Cam Newton by 3 points. The closest Oregon has ever been to a national title.

De'Anthony Thomas' 91-yard punt return TD in the third quarter broke the game open. LaMichael James rushed for 159 yards in his final game as a Duck. Oregon trailed early, then exploded. First Rose Bowl win since 1917. Ninety-five years. Let that sink in. Chip Kelly's first bowl win, and the program's biggest postseason victory in nearly a century.

Chip Kelly's farewell. Everyone knew he was leaving for the NFL. Kenjon Barner rushed for 143 yards. De'Anthony Thomas had a 52-yard TD run. Oregon scored on 6 of its first 8 possessions. The final Chip Kelly game was a masterclass. He left Oregon with a 46-7 record and changed what the program believed was possible.

Mariota vs Jameis Winston. It wasn't close. Mariota threw for 338 yards and 2 TDs, rushed for 62 yards and a score. Oregon scored 59 on the defending national champions. The greatest single-game performance in Oregon history.

Ezekiel Elliott ran for 246 yards and 4 TDs. Ohio State's third-string QB Cardale Jones threw for 242. Their roster had 9 future NFL draft picks on the field. Oregon had the Heisman winner. It didn't matter.

Oregon beat Ohio State 32-31 at Autzen in October. Same opponent. Same players. Different result. Will Howard threw for 319 yards and 3 TDs. Oregon committed 3 turnovers. Ohio State went on to win the national championship. The regular-season win was the best night of the year. The rematch was the worst.

First playoff game ever at Autzen Stadium. Dante Moore tied the program postseason record with 5 touchdown passes. Oregon gained 514 yards at 9.7 yards per play, a CFP record for a Big Ten team. James Madison hung around longer than expected, but the Ducks pulled away in the second half. The home crowd was electric.

First Orange Bowl in program history. The defense was suffocating. Oregon held the Big 12 champions to 232 total yards and zero points. The first shutout in CFP history. Gabriel Gonzalez had two sacks. Matayo Uiagalelei was unblockable. The most dominant defensive performance in Oregon postseason history.

Pick-six on the opening play. Three first-half turnovers. Down 28-0 before most fans found their seats. Indiana's Kurtis Rourke threw for 291 yards. Heisman winner Mendoza went 17-of-20 for the Hoosiers. Oregon outgained Indiana 378-362 in total yards but the turnovers were fatal. Lanning after the game: 'The world is going to judge everybody in that room based on the result tonight. They are not failures.' Oregon has now been outscored 97-43 in its last two CFP elimination games. The talent is there. The moment hasn't been.