With the help of the offense, defense and special teams, Oregon pulled out the 42-14 win over 12th-ranked UCLA. The top plays of the night were mostly unexpected, coming from players that aren’t always in the spotlight. Head coach Mark Helfrich claimed the win was a collective effort from all sides of the team especially after their momentum picked up in the second half. Here are a few of the most memorable plays:
Rodney Hardrick’s 66-yard trick play
When Alejandro Maldonado set up to return the ball to UCLA on a fourth-down conversion, no one expected linebacker Rodney Hardrick to the rush 66-yards to the 8-yard line. The receiving UCLA team, along with the help of blocks from Oregon, split wide open, making a path straight towards the end zone for Hardrick. The trick play eventually led to the first touchdown for the Ducks after De’Anthony Thomas ran it in for the leftover yards.
Avery Patterson intercepts UCLA’s Brett Hundley
Renowned quarterback Brett Hundley was intercepted twice during the night, once by Avery Patterson on the first play of the fourth quarter. Patterson then ran the ball for 28-yards. The interception led to the Ducks’ fourth touchdown with the help of Byron Marshall, Thomas Tyner and Bralon Addison, who ran in the final play for the score. Boseko Lokombo was responsible for the other interception on Hundley, which came in the second quarter.
Byron Marshall rushes 43-yards to gain another touchdown
Marshall had his fifth consecutive game of rushing for 100 yards or more and claimed three touchdowns in the win over UCLA. In the first drive of the second quarter, Oregon scored its second touchdown with the help of Marshall who ran for 43 total yards. It was the largest amount of yards on one drive for the running back. Overall, Marshall had a substantial impact on the Oregon victory.