Special to the Providence Journal

No. 15 USC at No. 8 Oregon was the marquee game of the weekend, a de facto elimination game for College Football Playoff consideration.

Reservations were made weeks ago to attend but due to travel complications on Friday, I was stranded locally in Rhode Island for a 12:30 p.m. Saturday kickoff. Not wanting to miss the classic at the iconic Autzen Stadium, I started out at 5:30 a.m. on game day and made the connection in Denver to Eugene and was in my seat at kickoff. The experience, from the outdoor press box, the crispy chilling air (42 degrees) temperature inside it, the smell of the timber trees and, yes, the raucous crowd only heightened my expectations.

When Oregon’s Malik Benson returned a USC punt 85 yards to break a 14-14 tie and electrified the

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