Recaps

It was supposed to be a battle of two former No. 2 teams in the nation, but it ended up being a lopsided route, as Oregon trounced BCS No. 21 USF, 56-21, in front of 49,867 fans at Sun Bowl Stadium.

USF rose to as high as No. 2 in Week 7 of the season after a 6-0 start. Oregon reached the same pinnacle in Week 11. Both teams suffered three straight losses before rebounding to get to El Paso.

The difference in the game was the Jonathan Stewart Road Show, which preempted the Oregon Air Attack and USF had no answer, despite having the nation’s top defensive end in George Selvie.

Stewart ran has way to the C.M. Hendricks Most Valuable Player Trophy after setting a Sun Bowl record for rushing yards (253) and all-purpose yards (282). Stewart averaged 11 yards per carry and busted loose for a 71-yard touchdown that gave the Ducks the lead for good in the second quarter.

In his first career start, Oregon quarterback Justin Roper tied the Sun Bowl record for most touchdown passes thrown (four), while kicker Matt Evenson converted on five PAT’s, two field goals, and one two-point conversion to earn the John Folmer Special Teams Player Award.

Stewart and Oregon offensive tackle Fenuki Tupou, who won the Jimmy Rogers, Jr. Most Valuable Lineman Award, were named to the 75th Anniversary All-Sun Bowl Team.