A consequence of the Oregon Ducks leaving the Pac-12 and joining the Big Ten is conference matchups on Oregon’s schedule without much history. This week, the Ducks are traveling to West Lafayette, Indiana, to play Purdue, and although this won’t be the first matchup between the Ducks and the Boilermakers, there isn’t much history to this rivalry.
Oregon and Purdue have played three times in their programs’ histories. The first game was in 1979, with Rich Brooks coaching for the Ducks and Jim Young for the Boilermakers. Purdue won 13-7 and finished that season with a 7-1 record and a win in the Bluebonnet Bowl against Tennessee. Oregon finished the same season 4-3 and didn’t qualify for a bowl game.
The next two games between these teams came in a home-and-home series (a two-year series with one game in each team’s home stadium) from 2008-2009. Both games were close, with Oregon winning at Purdue, 38-32, in 2008 and the Ducks winning again in 2009, 38-36, in Autzen Stadium.
The 2008 and 2009 seasons were crucial years for Oregon. Legendary Oregon Head Coach Mike Belloti’s last season was 2008, and the equally legendary Chip Kelly took over in 2009. Belloti led the Ducks to a Holiday Bowl win in his final season, and Kelly led the Ducks to a Rose Bowl loss against Ohio State — his current employer — in 2009. The next year, Kelly took Oregon to the BCS National Championship, where they lost to Auburn.
This Friday’s game will of course be the first conference between these two teams, and it’s sure to be the first of many. In all likelihood, Oregon will extend their win streak in the series from two to three, but nothing in college football is guaranteed.
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