C.O. Ducks fans’ hopes dashed for Pac-12 championship, Rose Bowl berth

(Update: Adding score)

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- The University of Oregon football team had a roller-coaster of a season, and on Friday still had a chance to win the Pac-12 championship for the third consecutive season. But it was not to be.

The Ducks shocked the college football world on Sept. 11, beating the third-ranked Ohio State Buckeyes.

But their College Football Playoff hopes were destroyed after a 37-8 beat-down loss to Utah on Nov. 20.

And the hopes for a third straight conference crown were dashed in almost identical fashion Friday night, in a 38-10 loss.

The Oregon Club of Central Oregon is home to some of the High Desert's biggest Ducks fans, and President Tevin Preston said earlier Friday he knew the team's early success was going to be challenged.

“There was that feeling of uneasiness, and I think we knew going into Utah that was going to be a tough game,” Preston said. “And then it was all on the line against Oregon State, and so it was nice to come away with a win and still have a chance to go to the Rose Bowl.”

Preston and the club host watch parties, signing day events, and even run charter buses to a few games at Autzen stadium.

With a 10-2 record and a Rose Bowl trip still on the line, he said he already considered this season a success.

“Whenever you beat the Huskies in the season and the Beavers in the same season, it’s always great,” Preston said. 

But he was still looking for some revenge.

“You get smacked down in Salt Lake City a couple weeks ago, and you gotta have a little bit of fuel there, and I think we saw that fuel against Oregon State,” Preston said. “You want this rematch, you want the opportunity.”

Allan Frickey has been a Ducks fan since 1962, and he wanted to see that fuel on display.

“Well, I’m hoping they show up,” Frickey said Friday afternoon. “As you know, U of O has had some good days and some horrid days this season, so I’m hoping this is a good day.”

Frickey predicted a Ducks win and has a pretty simple strategy to do so.

“Bottom line: They need to score more points than Utah,” Frickey said. 

Preston was cautiously optimistic.

“I’m not going to guarantee anything, because I don’t want to be the poster boy of news laughter. But I feel confident,” Preston said. 

But alas, it was not to be.