[1][2][3] Under third-year head coach Jerry Frei, the Ducks were 5–5–1 overall and 2–3 in the Pacific-8 Conference; they did not play USC or California and the two league wins were over the Washington schools.
After four road games in the first five,[4] Oregon began a five-game home stand in late October with wins over Washington and Idaho and climbed to 4–3.
[5][6] After a tie with Army,[7] the Ducks met UCLA for the first time since 1958,[8] the final season of the Pacific Coast Conference (PCC); it was the Bruins' first visit to Eugene since 1953.
[9] Seventh-ranked, UCLA's high-scoring offense had not fared well on artificial turf,[9] and needed a late interception by the Bruin defense to remain undefeated and escape with a 13–10 win.
[14][15] Quarterback Dan Fouts played on the frosh team;[16] freshmen in the university division were ineligible for the varsity until the 1972 season.