Oregon Football: Tyler Shough Leads As Ducks Hold Off UCLA Bruins

The Oregon Football ground game saw a season-low with just 88 yards, but Quarterback Tyler Shough threw three touchdowns to lead the Ducks past UCLA 38-35.

Oregon had all of their regular players to start the game vs UCLA. It was the Bruins who were at a disadvantage missing 9 players due to COVID-19 protocols which included Starting Quarterback Darian Thompson-Robinson. The Ducks won the opening coin toss and deferred to the second half giving UCLA the ball first.

After both teams saw punts on their respective opening drives, it was Oregon who struck first with a Devon Williams score. A fumble on the next UCLA drive allowed Oregon Football to ext3nd the lead to 14-0 from a Tyler Shough to Travis Dye connection. Shough passed the ball to Dye who did the rest with his feet beating UCLA defenders into the endzone.

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UCLA was able to get on the board before the end of the first quarter to make it 14-7. The Bruins were able to hold Oregon to just 1 yard rushing in the first quarter along with just 3 first downs.

The second quarter opened with Oregon Running Back CJ Verdell fumbling the ball and a UCLA touchdown return to tie the game at 14. Both teams had early mistakes that would need to be cleaned up. Oregon started their next drive from their own 25-yard line.

After a miss to Johnny Johnson III in the endzone, Cam Lewis added a field goal to extend the Oregon Football lead to 17-14.

UCLA added another touchdown with 3:24 remaining on the clock before halftime. Chase Griffin found Greg Dulcich who had momentum take him into the endzone for 6. The Ducks found themselves down 21-17 as Griffin was 9 for 10 for 100 yards for the game just before the break

However, Jordan Happle had other ideas as he picked off a tipped Griffin pass and returned it for a touchdown as the first half came to an end with Oregon leading 24-21. The Ducks would open the second half with the ball.

It would take just over three minutes for Oregon to get down the field to score and add to their lead. CJ Verdell took it in from four yards out to give the Ducks a 31-21 lead with 11:48 left in the third quarter.

EUGENE, OREGON – NOVEMBER 21: Chase Griffin #11 of the UCLA Bruins looks to pitch the ball during the first half of the game against the Oregon Ducks at Autzen Stadium on November 21, 2020 in Eugene, Oregon. (Photo by Steve Dykes/Getty Images) /

UCLA would come right back. It took 13 plays to go 75 yards as Brittain Brown ran it in from two yards out. Two plays before, Kayvon Thibodeaux was injured on a play and walked back to the huddle. On the play before the score, he ran across the field to help with a tackle keeping UCLA out of the endzone on the second down play of the drive.

The Bruins were down three points, 31-28.

On the next UCLA series, Ducks Linebacker Noah Sewell had his leg rolled up on a tackle and he was down on the field for several minutes. They brought out the cart as he could not leave the field under his own power. The entire team on the sideline gave words of encouragement to Sewell before he left the field for the locker room.

UCLA Bruins Quarterback Chase Griffin would throw his second interception of the game following Sewell’s departure. Tyler Shough would lead the team down the field again leading to Hunter Kampmoyer catching a touchdown pass from 12 yards out for an Oregon touchdown. It was Shough’s third touchdown pass on the day as the Ducks extended their lead back to ten points.

With 3:43 remaining in the game, UCLA would add a score to make it interesting for the final minutes. Demetric Felton took it in from 12 yards out and it was 38-35 Oregon. Oregon would find a punt on their next drive leaving 1:17 on the clock and UCLA with the ball at the 25-yard line. A roughing the passer penalty on the Ducks on the drive put the ball at the Oregon 37 yard line. After several penalties and an incomplete pass on 4th down, Oregon held on to win 38-35.

Tyler Shough finished the game completing 19 for 30 passes for 334 yards and three touchdowns. UCLA Quarterback Chase Griffin played well finishing 19 for 31, but threw two interceptions, the costliest one just before halftime that was returned for an Oregon Touchdown.

Up next for Oregon Football, a matchup with in-state rival Oregon State next Friday, November 27th. Kickoff is set at 4 pm Pacific Time.

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