Oregon Ducks Clinch Pac-12 Championship Game with Win over Oregon State; 49-21

Eugene, Oreg. - LaMichael James looked on from the sidelines as his Oregon Ducks maintained their overwhelming lead over state and Pac-12 rival, Oregon State.

After suffering what looked like a hyper-extended left elbow in the third quarter, Coach Chip Kelly immediately pulled the plug on his All-American running back.

LJ rushed for 148 yards and a touchdown through three quarters, and the Oregon Ducks coasted past Oregon State, clinching home field advantage in the Pac-12 Championship Game vs. UCLA next Saturday.

As usual, Oregon got off to a relatively slow start, only touching the end zone once in the first quarter. But Darron Thomas quickly got things rolling, throwing three of his four touchdown passes in the second quarter, giving the Ducks a 28-7 lead going into the half.

And things only got worse, Oregon getting onto the board three more times before the Beavers could blink.

Thomas was at the helm of Oregon's Quack Attack, passing for 294 yards and four touchdowns without throwing an interception. His main target, senior tight end, David Paulson, hauled in eight receptions for 105 yards and a touchdown, but the spotlight would be on rookie wide receiver and running back, De'Anthony Thomas.

With yet another stellar performance, Thomas lived up to his nickname, the "Black Mamba," rushing for 82 yards on five carries and snagging in eight catches for 75 yards and a touchdown.

Since the USC Trojans are ineligible for any bowl or championship games this season, the Ducks will prepare to take on the UCLA Bruins in next week's Pac-12 Championship Game. Hopefully LaMichael James will have recovered to a fully functional state by then.

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