1994 Oregon Ducks football team

The 1994 Oregon Ducks football team represented the University of Oregon in the Pacific-10 Conference during the 1994 NCAA Division I-A football season. The Ducks were led by head coach Rich Brooks, who was in his 18th and final season as head coach, and played their home games at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Oregon.

Oregon was 9–3 in the regular season and won their first ever outright conference championship (7–1); they appeared in the Rose Bowl for the first time in 37 years.^[1][2][3]

Two consecutive non-conference losses in September had many calling for Brooks' resignation.^[4]

^[5][6][7]

1994 Oregon Ducks football team roster
Players			Coaches
Offense Pos. # Name Class QB 10 Tony Graziani So WR 83 Pat Johnson Fr WR 1 Cristin McLemore Jr QB 16 Danny O'Neil Sr RB 12 Dino Philyaw Sr TE 82 Blake Spence Fr RB 14 Ricky Whittle Jr TE 90 Josh Wilcox So	Defense Pos. # Name Class DB 7 Chad Cota Sr LB 47 Reggie Jordan DB 1 Alex Molden Jr DB 4 Herman O'Berry  Sr CB Kenny Wheaton Fr	Special teams Pos. # Name Class K/P Matt Belden Jr	Head coach Rich Brooks (18th year) Coordinators/assistant coaches Mike Bellotti – OC Nick Aliotti – DC Legend (C) Team captain (S) Suspended (I) Ineligible Injured Redshirt

^{[8][9][10][11][12]}

In previous matchups, Oregon had their share of disappointment: Mark Lee returned a punt 59 yards for touchdown to win the game in 1979. The defense held the #9-ranked Huskies to 109 yards and 3 first downs in 1984, but still fell 17–10. This, combined with Washington's 17–4 record against the Ducks, including a five-game win streak, had many Oregon fans fearing the worst.

In the 1994 edition of the heated rivalry with the University of Washington, the #9-ranked Huskies came into Autzen Stadium with a 5–1 record, including a victory over the University of Miami, snapping a 58-game home winning streak. The game was a tough and close contest, with the Ducks clinging to a 24–20 lead late in the game. Washington quarterback Damon Huard guided the Huskies to a first down on the 9 yard line with plenty of time remaining. Huard dropped back and whipped the ball towards wide receiver Dave Janoski. Ducks freshman cornerback Kenny Wheaton stepped in front of the pass, intercepted it and headed up the sideline for a clinching touchdown, putting Oregon ahead for good 31–20.^[13][14] A replay of the interception—now referred to as "The Pick"—is played at every Ducks home game before the team runs onto the field.^[15]

• McCann, Michael C. (1995). Oregon Ducks Football: 100 Years of Glory. Eugene, Oregon: McCann Communications Corp. ISBN 0-9648244-7-7.