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They laughed all the way to a 47-20 victory over Southern California. It wasn't meant to disrespect the Trojans - the Ducks just have that kind of vibe going.
After their embarrassing season-opening loss to Boise State on national television, the No. 7 Ducks (7-1, 5-0) have scratched their way back into the BCS conversation.
Meanwhile, it's looking like the Trojans (6-2, 3-2) have loosened their grip on the Pac-10, with an eighth-straight conference title and BCS berth slipping away. The Trojans tumbled from fourth to No. 12 in the AP Top 25 on Sunday.
Masoli passed for 222 yards and a touchdown, and also ran for 164 yards and a score in the win at Autzen Stadium. James, the star freshman, ran for 183 yards and another touchdown.
"The whole game, the whole game we cracked jokes," James said afterward. "It makes me feel comfortable and makes him feel comfortable."
Two seasons ago Oregon was in a similar situation - a 24-17 defeat of USC pushed them into national title contention down the stretch. But the Ducks lost three of their last four games - and Heisman contender Dennis Dixon to injury - and settled for the Sun Bowl.
USC went on to win its last four games, finishing the season 10-2 to earn the conference title and Rose Bowl berth. The Trojans finished the season ranked No. 3 behind LSU and Georgia.
In each of the last seven seasons, the Trojans have not only won the Pac-10, they finished in the top four in the AP Poll, won at least 11 games and received a BCS bowl berth.
Are cracks showing in that Trojan armor? USC coach Pete Carroll doesn't think so.
"Obviously, they had a great game," he said in praise of the Ducks.
This Oregon team appears to be better than the Ducks of 2007. And there are more questions surrounding the Trojans this time around, too.
Southern Cal had not lost by as wide a margin since the 1997 season. The 613 yards total offense it surrendered to the Ducks was the second-most in school history.
The Trojans' formidable run defense, ranked fifth in the nation going in, allowed Oregon to amass 391 yards on the ground. James caused fits for USC, much in the same way that Oregon State freshman Jacquizz Rodgers did in the Beavers' 27-21 upset of USC last season.
"He's grown so much in such little time as far as his reads and how he sets up and just makes lanes for himself. He's so elusive and slippery," Masoli said. "Guys just hit him and bounce right off."
Oregon's junior quarterback kept loose by joking around with him.
"I was as relaxed as I've ever been in my career. Even me and LaMike break a couple jokes every so often," Masoli said.
The victory was the latest step in the dramatic turnaround for the Ducks, playing their first year under former offensive coordinator Chip Kelly. Mike Bellotti became the school's athletic director in the offseason.
Oregon was ranked No. 16 going into the season, but fell dramatically with a 19-8 loss on Boise State's blue turf in the opener.
Oregon's season looked at the time like it would be defined by the punch running back LeGarrette Blount threw at Broncos defensive end Byron Hout in the aftermath of the loss.
Blount was suspended the next day, and the Ducks forged on without him. James and fellow redshirt freshman Kenjon Barner picked up the slack.
As it turns out, Blount could be back in time for Oregon's visit to Stanford on Saturday. Kelly had targeted the game for his return if he met academic and behavioral requirements.
Conference commissioner Larry Scott was in Eugene for the game Saturday night and planned to start meeting Sunday with Blount and school officials about possible reinstatement. Scott was careful to say that the Ducks had not yet requested it.
The addition of Blount, who has been practicing with the Ducks throughout his suspension, could make them scary on the ground. He ran for 1,002 yards last season.
After the Cardinal, the Ducks host Arizona State, visit Arizona and wrap up the season at home against Oregon State in the annual Civil War rivalry game.
As for USC, free safety Taylor Mays said Saturday's defeat was one of the worst of his career - by far topping the loss to the Ducks in 2007. "This loss hurts more," he shrugged.
Southern California visits Arizona State this Saturday, before three straight games at home against Stanford, UCLA and Arizona.
If the Trojans win out and the Ducks lose at least three of their last four games, USC could be right back in the position they've held for the last seven seasons.
Promising freshman quarterback Matt Barkley, who threw for 187 yards and two touchdowns against the Ducks, said the Trojans have no other choice but to forge ahead.
"The biggest thing is realizing that there's nothing we can do about this loss," he said.
