[1] SMU (4–6) was seventh in the Southwest Conference in 1963; they were invited on the basis of their October non-conference wins over fourth-ranked Navy (with Roger Staubach) and Air Force.
The Ducks headed into the game without injured All-American halfback and defensive back Mel Renfro.
[2][3][4] One of those interceptions came at Oregon’s own three-yard line to thwart a potential scoring drive for the Mustangs, and the other Murphy returned 49 yards to set up the Ducks’ first touchdown.
It was up to Danny Thomas and Mac White to try to bring SMU back, and they narrowed the lead to 21–14 as each threw a touchdown pass to John Roderick in the fourth quarter.
SMU's onside kick with less than a minute remaining went out of bounds, giving the Ducks the ball and ultimately the win.