Halloween Frights: Oregon was a nightmare for USC in 2009

On Oct. 31, 2009, the place to be in Eugene wasn't on the streets trick-or-treating. It was at Autzen Stadium, as the No. 10 Oregon Ducks terrorized the No. 5 USC Trojans on Halloween night. It was, and still is, one of the biggest wins in Ducks' history. A new era of Oregon football began that night, as the Ducks told the country "the Pac-10 is ours".

The Ducks finished that season with a 10-3 record, taking first place in the Pac-10. After a dominant conference-play performance, going 8-1, the Ducks finally ended the Trojans' seven-year reign over the Pac. Let's take a look at how the Ducks became the program they are now on Halloween night, back in 2009.

The Monstrous Ducks Stomp USC

That night, USC had to face the horror of not being the top dog anymore. As the Trojans traveled to Eugene, the fans were dressed up and ready to make this Halloween as scary as it could be. The Ducks destroyed the Trojans at home by a haunting score of 47-20. Ducks' quarterback Jeremiah Masoli had 222 passing yards and a touchdown, but it was the Ducks running for their lives that won this game.

It wasn't all scary at first for the Trojans. The game started with Oregon and USC trading field goals in the first quarter. However, with 1:37 left, Masoli struck first for the Ducks with a 3-yard rushing touchdown. The crowd was in a frenzy as the Ducks went into the second quarter with a 10-3 lead.

The Trojans were not ready to lie down. Early in the second quarter, USC QB Matt Barkley threw a short touchdown pass to Ronald Johnson. The kick was good and the game was even at 10-10. Oregon responded with a goal-line touchdown from Andre Crenshaw. Ducks were back in control, 17-10. So far, the Trojans have responded well to everything the Ducks were doing, matching the Ducks' touchdown with one of their own. Barkley threw his second touchdown pass to Damian Williams. The game was tied once again, 17-17.

The Ducks took off at the end of the second quarter, as Masoli threw his touchdown to Jamere Holland. Oregon had the lead, up 24-17, going into the half. When the third quarter opened, the Ducks added to their lead with a field goal from Morgan Flint. USC responded, but it would be for the last time, kicking a field goal to make the score 27-20. The nightmare for the Trojans had just begun.

Before the end of the third quarter, the Ducks would score two touchdowns, coming from LaMichael James and Kenjon Barner. The electric freshman running back duo had their prints all over this game, as James ran for 183 yards, and Barner contributed 24 rushing yards. Barner had a massive return on the Ducks' opening drive for 77 yards, allowing them to score their first field goal.

In addition to his passing yards, Masoli had 164 yards rushing. The Ducks finished the game with two field goals, as they beat the USC Trojans 47-20. After USC's last field goal, the Oregon defense played lights out. As Halloween night came to a close, not only was the Pac-10 afraid of the Ducks, but the whole country was as well.