Coach Helfrich
Bralon Addison
Ifo Ekpre-Olomu
Tag: Oregon Football
Oregon Routs Cal in Pac-12 Opener – Addison Stars, Thomas Injured
Playing in monsoon-like conditions, Oregon had no trouble dismissing Cal in its Pac-12 opener 55-16 Saturday at Autzen Stadium. The Ducks and Bears combined to fumble the ball 10 total times, including eight in the first quarter alone.
Bralon Addison starred for Oregon with two punt returns for touchdowns, tying Cliff Harris’ school record set in 2010. The only real negative on the night for Oregon occurred on the first play of the game, when De’Anthony Thomas was hit hard on a kickoff return and was forced to leave the game with an ankle injury.
For more on the weather conditions, Addison’s performance and Thomas’ health, Preston Hiefield has the story from Autzen Stadium.
Oregon vs. Cal: 1st Quarter Summary
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.
Oregon vs. Cal Quick Hits
Some quick notes before tonight’s contest when Oregon hosts Cal at 7:30 PM at Autzen Stadium.
Well rested – Both teams, under new head coaches, are coming off bye weeks.
Tough sledding – No. 2 Oregon will be the third top-25 opponent that Cal has faced through the first four weeks of the season.
Courtsey: Californiagoldenblogs.com
Freshman Sensation – Cal true freshman quarterback Jared Goff leads the country in passing yards per game (435.3) and total yards per game (429.7). Through just three games, he has completed 103 of 168 passes (61.3%) for 7 TD and 4 INT. Against no. 4 Ohio State, Goff completed 31/53 for three touchdowns against just one INT.
Up-tempo – Cal has run at least 90 plays from scrimmage in every game this season.
Number 2 – The second ranked Ducks are no. 2 in the country in scoring offense (61.3), total offense (672.0), rushing offense (355.3), and turnover margin (2.3).
50 – Oregon has scored 50 or more points in all three of its games this year. If the Ducks score at least 50 again tonight, it will be the first time in school history that they have scored at least 50 points in four straight games.
Halftime Update: Ducks Lead Tennessee 38-7
After a slow start Oregon started to return to their usual form and leads Tennessee 38-7 at the half.
Quarterback Marcus Mariota threw two touchdowns in the second quarter and also threw for 212 yards. However, the impressive player of the quarter was true freshman Johnny Mundt with 104 receiving yards.
THINGS TO LOOK FOR IN THE SECOND HALF:
Starting tight end Colt Lyerla, has been absent this half. According to ESPN, Lyerla has been one of six players who have missed practice due to a stomach virus. However ESPN does not attribute the virus as the cause for the players missing the game. It will be interesting to see how long the Ducks will keep in their starters during the second half.