Oregon leads Cal 27-0, but the monsoon that has taken over Autzen Stadium is the real victor thus far.
There have been nine fumbles if you include a botched PAT hold. Nine, in one quarter! Byron Marshall fumbled twice on the opening possession of the game but he still managed to cap off the drive with a short touchdown run. A botched PAT later, the Ducks led 6-0. Marshall fumbled again on Oregon’s next possession, and Cal lost fumbles on its first three possessions of the game. The Ducks scored via two touchdown runs from Byron Marshall and two passes from Mariota, one to Huff and the other to Hawkins. Ifo Ekpre-Olomu also touched the ball for the first time this year on defense, snagging an INT in the end zone courtesy of Cal backup quarterback Zach Kline. Finally – and it was bound to happen – Oregon turned the ball over for the first time this year. On its fourth fumble of the game, freshman Thomas Tyner put the ball on the carpet in Oregon territory and Cal pounced.
Though, if it’s possible to look impressive while fumbling four times and botching a PAT in one quarter, the Ducks are doing it up four scores.