.vresize.36.36.medium.0.png){kind=small}
.vresize.36.36.medium.0.png){kind=small}
Oregon's LaMichael James is going to savor this one for a while. Right after he gets some shut-eye.
James and running mate Kenjon Barner combined for 267 yards and four touchdowns in Saturday's 37-20 victory over rival Oregon State to put the Ducks in the national championship game.
''We want to go win a national championship, but right now I'm really happy,'' he said. ''I'm going to celebrate this one for a while.''
Truth be told, though, James said first he was going to take a shower and get some rest.
''I haven't slept at all this week,'' he said.
James, considered a leading Heisman Trophy candidate, ran for a game-high 134 yards and two scores against the Beavers. He's averaging a major college best 150.54 yards rushing a game for Oregon (12-0, 9-0 Pac-10), with its flashy and fast spread-option.
With 1,682 yards so far this season, he set a new Pac-10 sophomore rushing record, breaking the record set by Oregon State's Steven Jackson. He has 22 rushing touchdowns, a school record.
Saturday's game was the ninth time he has run for at least 100 yards this season.
But he wasn't alone against the Beavers.
Fellow sophomore Barner ran for another 133 yards and a score as the Ducks netted 346 yards on the ground. He also caught a short touchdown pass from quarterback Darron Thomas.
''Kenjon's a great player. He came into the game and he got some long runs,'' James said. ''It really helps to have us both because we can always have fresh legs.''
Barner broke out this season in the opener against New Mexico when he ran for four touchdowns and caught another. He was starting in place of James, who was suspended for the game after pleading guilty to a misdemeanor harassment charge in the offseason.
Barner didn't exactly come out of nowhere. He had been a key part of Oregon's return team and had 1,553 all-purpose yards as a freshman.
Since facing the Lobos, Barner has been a solid backup for James, his close friend. He's had 964 all-purpose yards this season.
But he was sidelined for two games after he suffered a serious concussion in Oregon's 43-23 victory at Washington State on Oct. 9. Barner was taken from the field by ambulance, while a tearful James looked on, and was hospitalized overnight in Pullman before returning to Eugene for additional medical care.
Barner said he and James have a unique relationship.
''Be there for him, he's there for me. Whenever he gets tired I go in and I do what I can for the team and I know that LaMichael is going to make it happen so I have to come in and try to keep up with him,'' Barner said.
On Saturday, Barner was overwhelmed by his season, coming back from the concussion to play a key role in the Civil War and winning a ticked to the BCS championship game.
Like James, he planned to celebrate the with his dad.
''Just to get back out on the field and play with these guys, it's a blessing,'' Barner said. ''This win, you can't really put it into words right now, it really hasn't set in what we've done as a team and what we've been able to overcome throughout this entire season. It's a feeling that's unexplainable.''
