Oregon Ducks, Oregon State Beavers Rivalry Trophy Revealed

Ahead of the 129th annual meeting between the Oregon Ducks and the Oregon State Beavers, the Platypus Trophy is getting its own story in national media. The prize, once lost for over 40 years, is a symbol of the long standing rivalry.

Sep 6, 2025; Corvallis, Oregon, USA; Oregon State Beavers head coach Trent Bray checks the scoreboard during the second quarter against the Fresno State Bulldogs at Reser Stadium. | Craig Strobeck-Imagn Images

As the Oregon Ducks get ready to take on their in-state rival, the Oregon State Beavers at Autzen Stadium on Saturday, a piece of the rivalry's history gets its own national spotlight.

For three days, an ESPN crew along with reporter Ryan McGee chronicled the winding story of the "Platypus Trophy," a wooden (Oregon maple) carved platypus representing the meeting of Ducks and Beavers. McGee was also featured on ESPN's College GameDay on Saturday morning.

The Platypus Trophy stands as an unofficial, yet historically pertinent symbol for one of the longest rivalries in college football history.

Now resting in the University of Oregon's alumni relations office, the trophy was officially unearthed by Oregon sports personality John Canzano. In 2004, Canzano received an email from retired art teacher and Oregonian Warren Spady about a trophy he had made in 1959 at the University of Oregon for the rivalry.

Oregon Ducks defense piles on Oregon State Beavers running back Anthony Hankerson (0) in the first half of the annual rivalry game on Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024 at Reser Stadium in Corvallis, Ore. | Abigail Dollins/Statesman Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

How the Platypus Trophy Carved into the Rivalry

"The idea was not mine. The idea was developed by two administrators, one from the University of Oregon and the other from Oregon State College, which didn't become a university until a year later. I think they'd had a lot of beer," Warren said to ESPN.

"But anyway, they came up discussing ideas for something, you know, for a trophy, because, you know, all the other teams had one. So somehow, during one of these meetings, they came up with a platypus," Warren continued to ESPN.

Filed to ESPN: A (ahem) deep dive into the mysterious Platypus Trophy of the Oregon-Oregon State rivalry. It is very unofficial and a bit difficult to define, the perfect representation of a rivalry in transition. https://t.co/urJgkATYJQ

— Ryan McGee (@ESPNMcGee) September 19, 2025

The Missing Wooden Wonder

According to ESPN's reporting, Warren also explained that the reason the Platypus carving appears the way it does is that Warren didn't have enough time to fully carve the animal, and when Oregon State won the trophy in 1959, he had left the school by the time it should have been returned to the Ducks in 1963. In that time, theft of the trophy was rampant, and the carving disappeared altogether in 1961.

The trophy was eventually commandeered by the Oregon water polo team, who turned the trophy into their own monument, leading Warren to spot his creation in 1986 representing a different sport.

The tumultuous history of the trophy led to a state wide hunt in 2004 after Canzano connected with Warren. Located at Oregon's historic McArthur (MAC) Court in a closet, the trophy was first shown to Oregon coach Dan Lanning on Tuesday.

"It's an interesting-looking trophy," said Lanning "But I'll tell you one thing, we want to win it."

Oregon Head Coach Dan Lanning leaves the field after the win over Oklahoma State at Autzen. | Chris Pietsch/The Register-Guard / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

What to Take Away from ESPN's Coverage

For Duck fans looking for a read diving deep into the history of this unique, and officially unrecognized, testament to Oregon's football history, McGee's article is well worth the read.

It also begs the question: should the Platypus Trophy get it's day in the sun as the new (and old) trophy of the Ducks and Beavers rivalry?

MORE: Oregon Coach Dan Lanning Addresses Practice That 'Wasn't Up To Standard'

MORE: Isaiah World Reveals How He Went From No. 1 Transfer To Oregon Ducks Enforcer

MORE: Oregon Ducks Fans Color To Wear vs. Oregon State In Autzen Stadium

Oct 12, 2024; Eugene, Oregon, USA; Oregon Ducks fans cheer during the first half of the NCAA football game against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Autzen Stadium | Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

A Future for the Beavers and Ducks

Oregon's 2025 rivalry game against the Beavers will likely mark the last contest between these two teams until 2027, as both the Ducks and Beavers have filled their nonconference scheduling for 2026.

“The challenge will be that we will always need seven home games. … And if there’s ever a scenario where that home-and-home with Oregon State impacts our ability to have seven home games, then we’d have to revisit," said Oregon athletic director Rob Mullens.

Oregon and Oregon State did reach a deal to continue their famous rivalry for six years starting in 2027. For now, the over 120 year back and forth between the Ducks and Beavers stays alive.

The Ducks play the Beavers at Auzten Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 20 at 12 p.m. PT.