Ducks have proven to be good at rebounds

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EUGENE — Oregon is confident about rebounding from its first conference loss. The Ducks have already shown they're capable of that.

Oregon dropped its season opener to Boise State on national television. The 19-8 loss was stunning in that Oregon went in with what was considered one of the best offenses in the country, then couldn't manage a first down in the first half.

And it got worse afterward when running back LeGarrette Blount punched Boise State's Byron Hout, bringing the defensive end to his knees in front of the TV cameras.

Blount was suspended for the season the next day. The Ducks, with a loss and without their top running back from the previous season, had to regroup.

Oregon defeated Purdue 38-36 in the next game, starting a seven-game winning streak that would pop the Ducks to the top of the Pacific-10 standings and No. 7 in the AP rankings.

But in what has become a wildly unpredictable Pac-10 season, Oregon lost to Stanford 51-42 last weekend in Palo Alto.

Although they were disappointed, the Ducks were quick to move on. Just like they did after Boise State and all the Blount drama.

"We know that all the glitz and glamour can go as fast as it comes. We try not to worry about that stuff," center Jordan Holmes said. "We realize that we messed up and we gotta go back to work."

The Ducks' second loss of the season came with more Blount drama. On Monday, Oregon coach Chip Kelly reinstated the senior after he met certain behavioral and academic requirements.

Blount is eligible to play this Saturday when the Ducks (7-2, 5-1) host Arizona State (4-5, 2-4). However, it is unclear if he will play at all. Since his suspension, redshirt freshman LaMichael James has established himself as the Ducks' starter with an average of 115.89 rushing yards a game.

As it stands, the Ducks can still take the conference title and still earn a trip to the Rose Bowl for the first time since 1994.

"We still control our own destiny. If we win out, we're going to the Rose Bowl ... but we can't lose another one," safety T.J. Ward said.

After the Sun Devils, the Ducks visit Arizona before the annual Civil War game against Oregon State on Dec. 3 at Autzen Stadium.

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MASOLI UPDATE: Despite Oregon's 51-42 loss to Stanford, quarterback Jeremiah Masoli had an exemplary game, with a career-high 389 offensive yards and four touchdowns.

Masoli passed for 334 yards and three touchdowns, and rushed for 55 yards and another score.

Masoli has passed Dennis Dixon as the most prolific rushing quarterback at Oregon. Masoli has 1,209 rushing yards for his career, while Dixon had 1,208 yards between 2004 and 2007.

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EXTRA POINTS: Arizona State leads the series against the Ducks 16-13 and the Sun Devils are 8-6 at Autzen Stadium. ... Oregon has won the last four games between the two teams. ... Oregon leads the league with an average of 233.6 yards rushing a game. ... The Sun Devils lead the league in rush defense, allowing just 87.44 yards a game. ... The Ducks have scored more than 40 points in five of six conference games.

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