Oregon football stops California run game as Bo Nix rolls again in win
Despite Oregon football getting off to a slow start, which seems to be the way of this season, the Ducks pulled away and for the most part put the game away by halftime. The final score, 42-24 over California and the Oregon defense took a big step.
Tosh Lupoi loaded the box for most of the first half and made California a one-dimensional team in the first half. Jaryd Ott who has had some impressive games this season, including a close to 300-yard game against Arizona, was held in check in the first half. Oregon had 107 yards in the first half while holding California to just 8 total yards on the ground. Cal averaged 0.6 yards on 13 carries.
The Oregon offense did not have a good first quarter with dropped passes and a sluggish start but they turned it around in the final 40 minutes. Bo Nix added to his Heisman credentials by working through adversity and finding touchdowns both through the air and with his legs. Nix threw for 412 yards and three touchdowns and also rushed for 66 yards and three scores. Nix was the team’s second-leading rusher.
There are times when statistics make you turn your head. This was one of those games. The Ducks leading pass catcher was running back Noah Whittington who caught five passes for 67 yards and a touchdown.
Following the game, head coach Dan Lanning was happy about the win but was concerned about the points the team left on the field. I have found over the years that head coaches are all cut from the same cloth. Lanning, along with Oregon basketball coach Dana Altman, have consistently been able to win games and are glad for the win, but then go to work on what aspect of the game was missed, which is what a head coach is supposed to do.
The Ducks had two road games against inferior opponents where style points could help get them to where they wanted to be this season. While style points were not a part of the game at Cal, that could be different this weekend when Oregon heads to Colorado.
The Ducks and Buffaloes will kickoff Saturday at 12:30 pm Pacific Time on ESPN.
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