While it does appear that the better football team won Saturday afternoon in Eugene, where the fifth-ranked Oregon Ducks (7-1, 4-1) were 24-17 victors over the ninth-ranked USC Trojans (6-2, 3-2), the underdog Trojans nevertheless appeared at one point to have a good chance at the upset. But each time momentum swung to USC, the Trojans managed to give it right back to the Ducks, either through turnovers or by committing untimely penalties. In a close, hard-fought battle where even the slightest mistake could make the difference in the outcome, USC made far to many errors to give themselves a chance at winning. As a result, an appearance in the national championship game is now a virtual impossibility, and a return trip to the Rose Bowl is an improbable–but in this crazy year, not impossible–dream.

We run down the stats and storylines of Saturday’s loss, update you on the latest Trojan injuries, and roundup coverage of the game in all of the major publications:

Storylines

• While a talented Oregon Ducks team played a great game, the Trojans further hampered their cause by committing three crucial turnovers (two interceptions and a Stanley Havili fumble) and six poorly-timed penalties for a whopping 80 yards. Among those penalties were two facemask infractions while the Trojans were on offense, and a holding call on Drew Radovich that negated a Joe McKnight 64-yard touchdown run. The Trojans were also unable to capitalize on two Oregon turnovers, including a fumble of the opening kickoff that gave USC possession at the Oregon 21-yard line. (A muffed punt recovered by the Trojans near midfield in the second quarter resulted in just three points.)
• To their credit, the Ducks’ defense was much better than advertised. Expected to be Oregon’s weakness, the defense actually turned out to be another strength for the winning team, holding USC to its lowest point total of the season. The Trojans only had one drive (which happened when, with a 14-point lead, Oregon switched to a much more conservative gameplan) where they were able to move the ball with ease against the Ducks; for most of the game, Oregon did a great job covering USC’s receivers, negating key players such as Fred Davis and McKnight, getting pressure on Mark Sanchez, and coming up with two key interceptions when the game was on the line.
• There were a few Trojan highlights on Saturday. Receivers Patrick Turner and Vidal Hazelton asserted themselves late in the game, and actually started to make an impact with some clutch, drive-sustaining catches, after disappearing for most of the first three quarters (and much of the season, for that matter). Fellow wideout David Ausberry recorded the first touchdown of his career.
• Perhaps the biggest highlight of the game, however, was the performance of USC’s defense, which actually did a fairly good job against one of the best offenses in the nation, limiting the Ducks to 24 points (they had been averaging almost 47 a game) and 339 yards (compared to an average of over 550 yards per game). Although it seemed like Duck quarterback Dennis Dixon was able to pick apart USC’s zone at will early in the game, Oregon finished with just under 160 yards through the air. The defense also came up with some big stops late in the game, giving the Trojans a chance to come back. One major standout on USC’s defensive unit was Sedrick Ellis, who had a dozen tackles, including one sack and another tackle for a loss.
• Another high point: USC’s special teams unit actually outperformed their highly-rated counterparts on Oregon, with the Trojans taking the ball away from the Ducks twice on special teams thanks to a pair of Oregon mistakes.
• USC’s offensive playcalling on Saturday will likely be a heated topic of discussion among fans over the next week. The offensive gameplan ranged from conservative (e.g., reliance on a super-short passing game and failing to throw deep) to downright bewildering (e.g., running a strange, slow-to-develop reverse on 4th-and-1 early in the first quarter deep in Oregon territory). While it seemed like the Trojans would want to establish the running game in order to take pressure off of their inexperienced quarterback–and, more importantly, to eat up the clock and keep Oregon’s high-powered offense off the field–USC’s coaching staff chose to concentrate on the pass even though it appeared USC’s offensive line was opening up a few holes for the running backs early in the game.
• Although Sanchez’s third start was far from stellar, it was also far from bad, and blame for the loss does not rest on his shoulders (despite two poorly-thrown second-half interceptions). The quarterback (who was 26-41 for 277 yards and two touchdowns) was under pressure and forced from the pocket on multiple occasions throughout the game (seemingly more a function of an inability of USC’s receivers to get open, rather than a breakdown of the offensive line), and he responded to a two-touchdown deficit late in the fourth-quarter by leading his team on a quick touchdown drive.

Injury updates

• All of the offensive linemen expected to return did so, but LT Sam Baker, playing for the first time in several weeks, left the game for good in the third quarter after reaggravating his hamstring injury and hurting his hip as well. At this point, he is questionable for next week.
• RB Stafon Johnson (foot) was able to play, but was used sparingly, getting just three carries and one reception.
• McKnight hobbled off the field in the closing minute, but there was no news of his condition after the game, and it does not appear to be serious.

Coverage roundup
More stats and additional articles: TrojanUpdate’s Game Recap: USC-Oregon

Harper’s crucial interceptions help Oregon hold off USC (AP via ESPN)
Full official box score (Official USC site)
Trojans’ hopes get downsized (LA Times)
Dufresne: Loss exposes Trojans as team in transition (LA Times)
Oregon knocks off USC (OC Register)
Miller: Trojans’ glorious reign comes to an end (OC Register)
USC notes: QB questions hang there (OC Register)
Oregon topples USC (Daily News)
Ducks dash Trojans’ title hopes (Daily Trojan)
Expectations mean little for this year’s Trojans (Daily Trojan)
Ducks beat Trojans 24-17 with Harper interception (Oregon Daily Emerald)
Ducks keep championship dream alive (The Oregonian)
USC Suddenly Looking Up at Oregon (The New York Times)
Maisel: Ducks look like championship contender in win over USC (ESPN)
Markazi: USC’s luster fades after Oregon’s victory at Autzen (Sports Illustrated)
The death of a dynasty (Sporting News)
Disappointment in Eugene (Rivals, $)
Instant Analysis: USC-Oregon (Scout)