Oregon Football: Run Game Powers Ducks In Injury Plagued Win vs Cal

Oregon Football won the game against Cal, but the injury cost was high for the Ducks who face Washington State next week.

The Oregon Ducks returned home after a rough two point loss last week at Arizona State. It was a good time to right the ship for the rest of the season and with a big game next week with Washington State looming. Willie Taggart needed his team focused on Cal and not looking ahead. Royce Freeman needed to get back on track, but the Defense was without some key players including Freshman Nick Pickett and Run Stopper AJ Hotchkins.

Oregon started with the ball. The opening drive had promise with big runs by Royce Freeman, but a miscommunication between Justin Herbert and Tony Brooks-James stalled the drive. Aiden Schneider attempted and made a 42 yard field goal to give the Ducks and early 3-0 lead. The Defense forced a Cal 3 and Out to open the game with two run plays resulting in limited yards and an incomplete pass.

The Ducks broke into the endzone as Justin Herbert hit Brendan Schooler over the middle for 37 yards, his second of the season to put Oregon up 10-0.

Jordan Scott and Jalen Jelks made quick work of Cal’s next drive forcing a three and out after the Golden Bears picked up a first down. Before the drive, Royce Freeman was seen heading to the locker room holding his right arm. It was not known if he would return.

Kani Benoit was the Running Back for the next drive and had some nice carries and catches. Eight plays and 53 yards is what it took before Justin Herbert bounced into the endzone to give Oregon a 17-0 lead in a game that the momentum was all Oregon.

Tyree Robinson started the next drive on Defense with a big hit and ended the drive before it was over being ejected for targeting on third down. Oregon would go the rest of the game without him. He was ejected. Cal ended the Quarter making a first down.

The Golden Bearv gained yards on the drive, but it ended in the Oregon Defense sending two to sack Quarterback Ross Bowers. Oregon would get the ball with 8:49 left in the first half and have a new look on Offense. Quarterback Justin Herbert left the field and was questionable to return. Taylor Alie took control of the Offense.

Alie was unable to do much forcing a 3 and out and a 41-yard punt by Adam Stack. The Oregon Defense continued to play with passion as the Oregon Offense was gathering injured in the locker room. Justin Herbert, Royce Freeman and Dillon Mitchell were all off the field for the rest of the first half as the Oregon Defense held Cal again forcing a punt.

Taylor Alie on his second Offensive Drive started well with Tony Brooks-James picking up six yards. It again ended in a 3 and Out after a tackle for loss. Adam Stack put Cal back at the 40 yard line.

In three drives with Alie at Quarterback, the Oregon Ducks saw three punts. Adam Stack punted for the third time and Cal fumbled the punt. Oregon recovered at the 42 yard line. Taylor Alie gave the ball right back and the Golden Bears cashed it in for a touchdown with just under a minute to go in the first half cutting the lead to 17-7. The eyepopping stat of the first half – the Ducks Defense held California to just 8 rushing yards through 30 minutes of play.

Cal started the second half with the ball. The Oregon Defense continued to dominate the line of scrimmage with Jalen Jelks having another big play to force a 3 and out.

The first Offensive possession of the second half saw Oregon Running Backs shine as Tony Brooks-James and Kani Benoit took the Ducks down the field. Benoit scored a two yard touchdown giving the Ducks a 24-7 lead.

Ross Bowers unloaded a 75 yard touchdown pass to open their next drive. It was the first explosion play of the night given up by the Oregon Defense on the night making it 24-14. On the next Offensive Possession a penalty killed the drive and forced another Adam Stack punt.

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The Oregon Defense again forced a punt that rolled to the six yard line where Oregon would start their next drive. Tony Brooks-James worked an 80 yard touchdown drive that was called back for a penalty with the drive ending in another Oregon punt. Cal would start the 4^th Quarter with the ball.

California saw the opportunity to seize the momentum and worked their way down the field before hitting a 36 yard field goal to pull within7 points at 24-17.

The Oregon Offense was awakened by a 68 yard touchdown run by Kani Benoit giving Oregon a 31-17 lead with just under 10 minutes to go in the game.

Darrian Felix got into the mix and showed his speed for a touchdown as Oregon again put the game out of reach in the final minutes tacking on 21 points in the 4^th Quarter for a 45-24 win over Cal.

The big storyline of the game was the injuries. Over the course of three Offensive Series, Oregon lost their Staring Running Back, Quarterback, and Wide Receiver. Justin Herbert broke his collarbone in the win. With Washington State coming to Eugene next week, the Oregon Defense will have to step up even more if either Herbert or Freeman miss time.

Oregon Football hosts Washington State next Saturday at 5pm Pacific Time on FOX.

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