There aren’t many teams in the college football world that the Oregon Ducks have a negative history with.
When you look at some of the storied rivalries from the Pac-12 era, it’s understandable to see that the Ducks have a losing record against the likes of USC, Washington, and UCLA, because, before the turn of the century, Oregon struggled mightily on the gridiron.
But over the last 25 years or so, the Ducks have been able to get the best of a majority of teams that they’ve faced regularly.
Except for Boise State.
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Oregon has an 0-3 career record against the Broncos, losing 37-32 in 2008, 19-8 in 2009, and 38-28 in 2017. While it’s not an extensive history, it has given us a lot of memories, none bigger than the punch heard around the college football world, with LeGarrette Blount notoriously taking out Boise State’s Byron Hout following the loss in 2009.
Going into this Week 2 matchup in Autzen Stadium, Oregon head coach Dan Lanning has ensured that his team knows the history between these two schools.
“Our players are aware of the history of this game, for sure,” Lanning said. “We’re excited to get an opportunity to step on the field.”
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Other players, like wide receiver Traeshon Holden, know that while the Broncos may have the overall record advantage in the series, none of those previous games have anything to do with this matchup in 2024.
“They ain’t beat me,” Holden said on Wednesday with a laugh. “Coach Lanning wasn’t here when they won, so they ain’t beat none of us. We’ve just got to go out there and make a new streak.”
It will be an important game for more than just historical bragging rights. The Ducks had a lackluster 24-14 win over the Idaho Vandals in Week 1, and they are in need of a dominant offensive showing in order to get back on the right track and ensure the college football world that they are still to be taken seriously as national championship contenders this season.
On top of that, a win for Oregon would go a long way to show that historic records are just that — something to signify what happened in the past.
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