Led by 13th-year head coach Mike Bellotti, the Ducks compiled an overall record of 9–4 with a mark of 5–4 in conference play, tying for fourth place in the Pac-10.

The Ducks rose to a national rank of number 2 in the Bowl Championship Series (BCS) poll, until an injury to starting quarterback Dennis Dixon led to defeat at the hands of the Arizona Wildcats on November 15.

Oregon finished the regular season at 8–4 and was invited to the Sun Bowl in El Paso, Texas.

On December 31 freshman quarterback Justin Roper, making his first start, passed for fourth touchdowns, tying a Sun Bowl record, and 180 yards as Oregon crushed the favored South Florida Bulls, 56–21.

Jonathan Stewart rushed for a Sun Bowl-record and career-high 253 yards and a touchdown and was named the game's Most Valuable Player.

[3] April 29 – Jordan Kent, Dante Rosario, and Matt Toeaina were selected in the 2007 NFL Draft.

[4] May 9 – Former Oregon running back Ahmad Rashad, also known as Bobby Moore, was selected to the Class of 2007 entering the College Football Hall of Fame.

The score was tied at 20 points in the third quarter when Houston's Case Keenum attempted to throw a pass to Perry McDaniel in the end zone, but it was intercepted by Patrick Chung.

Forty seconds after the Paysinger touchdown, Dixon threw another to Jaison Williams, putting the Ducks up 34 to 20.

According to Oregon coach Mike Bellotti the game was a "good win because I think there were some questions about how Michigan was going to bounce back, and whether we would be competitive.

[20] In a game that was considered important enough for ESPN's College Gameday to be broadcast in Eugene,[21] the Oregon Ducks defeated the Arizona State Sun Devils 35–23.

Heisman hopeful Dennis Dixon threw for 189 yards and 4 touchdowns and led the Ducks to a victory that places Oregon in the lead for the Pac-10 championship.

After the Ducks scored a touchdown on their first possession, a 26-yard pass to WR Jaison Williams, the Sun Devils began to march down the field.

Showing the same poise as Dixon, ASU QB Rudy Carpenter led the Devils to the Oregon 2-yard line before the Oregon defense lived up to their "bend but don't break" style and held ASU to a field goal.

That goal line stop would set the tone for the remainder of the game as Oregon held Arizona State to only 3 points in the first quarter and 13 in the first half.

Unfortunately approximately 2 minutes into the fourth quarter, Dennis Dixon was taken out after an awkward tackle and sat out the remainder of the game.

The Ducks started the game hot, with a 39-yard touchdown run by Dennis Dixon and a successful two-point conversion.

However, Dixon threw an interception that was returned 45 yards and eventually capitalized by the Wildcats as a touchdown, cutting the score to 8–7.

On 2nd and 7, Oregon quarterback Dennis Dixon (the leading Heisman candidate at this point of the season) fell to the ground without being touched.

After losing the last 3 games of the year, many analysts expected the Ducks to fare poorly in the Sun Bowl.

Making his first career start, freshman quarterback Justin Roper completed 17 of 30 passes for 180 yards with 4 touchdowns and no interceptions.

Running back Jonathan Stewart rushed for a career-high and Sun Bowl record 253 yards and a touchdown and was named the Most Valuable Player of the game.