Oxford and Cambridge played out a first Varsity Match draw for 38 years at Twickenham, but Stewart Eru's Light Blues still retained the MMC Trophy.
Cambridge, who drew level with a 73rd-minute try from winger Charlie Desmond, took the silverware courtesy of their 15-13 victory last term, and they could have won outright had a contentious Dafydd Lewis drop-goal attempt been awarded by referee Chris White.
Oxford, though, will kick themselves all the way home after dominating possession and territory. But all they had to show for it was a first-half touchdown by Zambia-born prop Henry Nwume and two Ryan O'Mahoney penalties.
Cambridge outhalf Lewis also contributed a penalty double, but the day's loudest cheer predictably had a World Cup theme.
Eight members of England's World Cup squad - Richard Hill, Josh Lewsey Will Greenwood, Mike Catt, Kyran Bracken, Joe Worsley, Stuart Abbott and Simon Shaw - paraded the Webb Ellis Trophy during half-time.
OXFORD: R O'Mahoney; J Bradshaw, A Magro, J Allen, A Slade; J Fennell, J Gaunt; K Tkachuk, D Griffiths, H Nwume, D Lubans, A van Zyl, P Raftery, R Woods, T Hayman.
CAMBRIDGE: J Ufton; C Desmond, I McInroy, J Wright, N Toy; D Lewis, B Dormer; R Bosch, G Forde, T Kirkman, M Hocken, G Webster, B Wheeler, B Woods, S Eru.
Referee: Chris White (RFU)
