EUGENE, Ore. » Oregon's thorny start has come up roses.

Redshirt freshman LaMichael James ran for 166 yards and three touchdowns last night to send No. 7 Oregon to the Rose Bowl with a 37-33 victory over No. 13 Oregon State in the Civil War.

Oregon (10-2, 8-1) claimed the Pac-10 championship with the victory, ending USC's seven-season hold on the title. The Ducks, who have not been to the Rose Bowl since 1995, will face Ohio State in Pasadena on New Year's Day.

LeGarrette Blount, who hadn't played since throwing a punch after Oregon's season-opening loss to Boise State, returned to the field and scored on a 12-yard run in the third quarter.

Afterward, fans thrust Roses into his hands.

“;This means everything to me,”; he said. “;I'm kind of at a loss for words.”;

Oregon State (8-4, 6-3) was vying for its first Rose Bowl berth since the 1964 season. The Beavers will have to wait until the rest of the Pac-10 wraps up the season to find out which bowl they will play in.

It was the first time the annual rivalry game was a winner-takes-all path to Pasadena.

After the game the Duck mascot clutched a bouquet of roses as he was lifted above the fans who rushed the field at Autzen Stadium.

Saint Louis School graduate Jeremiah Masoli threw for 201 yards and a touchdown for the Ducks, who capped a stunning turnaround from their 19-8 crash in the season opener against the Broncos.

“;I think our team has always been capable of this greatness,”; Masoli said.

Sean Canfield threw for 306 yards and two TDs for the Beavers. Jacquizz Rodgers, the Pac-10's No. 2 rusher at 119.4 yards per game, rushed for just 64 yards and a score.