Oregon football: 5 best seasons in Ducks history, ranked
By Ethan Lee
4. Justin Herbert and a dominant defense put Oregon back on the map in 2019.
After Kelly left the Ducks in 2012, Oregon was unable to maintain that same level of excellence he had built. Mark Helfrich was able to guide Oregon to a national title game, but he also ended up leading the Ducks into a 4-8 season in 2016. A one-year marriage between the Ducks and Willie Taggart was ruined when he left for Florida State, and that led to Mario Cristobal coaching the Ducks.
2018 wasn’t special, but a 9-4 season is a respectable one. In 2019, the Ducks took a huge step forward, and a lot of that success came because of Oregon’s defense.
Oregon lost its season opener in Arlington to a team of Tigers from the SEC (like 2011). After falling to Auburn 27-21, the Ducks won their next nine games (also like 2011). Oregon was shocked by Arizona State losing a game that it really probably shouldn’t have but then rebounded by beating Oregon State to close out the regular season and No. 5 Utah in the conference championship.
After winning the Pac-12, the Ducks then went on to beat Wisconsin to win the Rose Bowl (also like 2011) behind three rushing touchdowns from star quarterback Justin Herbert.
For most of modern Oregon football history, a thrilling offense is what has defined the Ducks. And while Oregon’s offense was still fantastic during the 2019 season, it was the Ducks’ defense that played an uncharacteristically significant role in getting Oregon to yet another conference championship and a Rose Bowl.
A 12-2 record, a conference championship, a Rose Bowl win, and a return to national prominence makes for a solid year for Oregon.