EUGENE, Ore. (Interstat) — In a pivotal late-season Pac-12 showdown, the Oregon Ducks delivered a commanding statement, overwhelming the Southern California Trojans 42-27 on Saturday before a sellout crowd of 59,588 at a raucous Autzen Stadium.

The Ducks, improving to 10-1, seized control early and never truly relented, using a potent offensive attack and a series of critical defensive stands to hand the Trojans their third loss of the season, dropping them to 8-3.

Oregon quarterback Dante Moore, a Detroit native, was surgical in his efficiency, completing 22 of 30 passes for 257 yards and two touchdowns. His favorite target was tight end Kenyon Sadiq, who hauled in six receptions for 72 yards and both of Moore’s scoring throws.

The Ducks’ offense was multifaceted, with running back Noah Whittington providing a steady ground presence. The Fort Valley, Georgia, product rushed for 104 yards on 19 carries, including a late 9-yard touchdown that sealed the victory. Jordon Davison added a first-quarter rushing touchdown.

Southern California quarterback Jayden Maiava fought valiantly, completing 25 of 43 passes for 306 yards and three touchdowns. However, the Trojans’ offense struggled to find consistency against a swarming Oregon defense, and two costly interceptions proved pivotal.

The Trojans struck first, executing a methodical opening drive capped by an 8-yard touchdown pass from Maiava to Makai Lemon. The early 7-0 lead was short-lived, as Oregon responded with two quick-strike touchdowns before the first quarter ended. Davison powered in from 11 yards out, and Moore connected with Sadiq on an 8-yard score to give the Ducks a 14-7 advantage.

Southern California displayed its explosiveness to start the second quarter, tying the game at 14-14 on a perfectly executed trick play. Lemon took a lateral and launched a 24-yard touchdown pass to a wide-open Tanook Hines, who finished with a game-high 141 receiving yards.

The game’s momentum shifted decisively back to Oregon midway through the second quarter. After forcing a Trojans punt, Oregon’s Malik Benson fielded the kick at his own 15, found a seam and raced 85 yards for a breathtaking punt return touchdown, electrifying the home crowd and putting the Ducks up 21-14.

Oregon’s defense then made its presence felt. With the Trojans driving late in the half, Maiava’s pass was intercepted by Oregon defensive back Ify Obidegwu. The Ducks capitalized on the short field, culminating in a 1-yard touchdown plunge by defensive back Bryce Boettcher, a Eugene native, on a goal-line package play to extend the lead to 28-14.

Southern California had a chance to cut into the deficit before halftime, driving to the Oregon 8-yard line, but a missed 27-yard field goal attempt as time expired left the Trojans trailing by two touchdowns at the break.

The third quarter saw both teams trade scores. Southern California opened the half with a 14-play, 75-yard drive that consumed over seven minutes, finished by Maiava’s second touchdown pass to Lemon, this one from 4 yards out, pulling the Trojans within a score at 28-21.

Oregon answered immediately, marching 72 yards in just over three minutes. Moore found Sadiq on a deep crossing route for a 28-yard touchdown, re-establishing a two-score cushion at 35-21.

The Trojans showed resilience early in the fourth quarter. Maiava engineered another long drive, connecting with tight end Lake McRee on a 9-yard touchdown pass. The subsequent two-point conversion attempt failed, leaving the score at 35-27 with over 11 minutes remaining.

That was as close as Southern California would get. Oregon’s ensuing drive was a masterclass in clock management and offensive execution. The Ducks embarked on a 14-play, 79-yard march that consumed nearly six minutes, with Whittington’s 9-yard touchdown run effectively putting the game out of reach at 42-27.

Southern California’s final drive stalled deep in Oregon territory, turning the ball over on downs with just over two minutes left, allowing the Ducks to run out the clock.

Defensively, Oregon was led by a massive performance from Boettcher, who recorded 13 tackles to go with his offensive touchdown. Linebacker Desman Stephens II was a bright spot for the Trojans, registering a game-high 17 tackles in a losing effort.

The victory sets up a massive regular-season finale for Oregon, which will travel to face Washington next Saturday with major conference implications on the line. Southern California will look to rebound at home against rival UCLA.