Missed opportunities could haunt the Ducks as they head to the locker room trailing 17-0 at halftime in Stanford, Calif.
As was somewhat expected heading into an incredibly hyped game, Oregon’s offense, led by quarterback Marcus Mariota, appeared slightly rattled in the roaring Stanford Stadium.
Mariota threw three incompletions on the opening drive and true freshman offensive tackle Cameron Hunt had a false start. Although, the biggest downfall for the Ducks on the first drive was Mariota underthrowing the ball to a wide open Josh Huff, which forced the Ducks to punt.
In the Ducks’ first red zone trip of the game, Mariota looked to Bralon Addison on a fade route to the corner of the endzone. The pass was unsuccessful and incomplete, as Stanford took over on downs at Oregon’s four-yard line.
An opportunity where the Ducks might of been able to put three points on the board with the first score of the game appeared to never be an option.
Stanford was able to score after taking over deep in their own territory. Stanford quarterback Kevin Hogan found wide receiver Michael Rector for a 47-yard reception, setting up the strong running attack of Stanford on Oregon’s 12-yard line. The Cardinal was able to strike first and got on the board with a two-yard run from running back Tyler Gaffney and take a 7-0 lead.
Oregon’s next drive consisted of three plays for negative 7 yards, forcing the Ducks to once again punt.
Mariota was 5-for-11, throwing for 57 yards at the end of the first quarter.
After an interception by cornerback Ifo Ekpre-Olomu was called back in the second quarter, the Cardinal offense was set up in prime field advantage on Oregon’s 16-yard line. With an 11-yard run, Hogan ran it into the end zone, putting Stanford up 14 points.
Just when Oregon’s offense seemed to get in a groove, making their way into scoring territory, running back De’Anthony Thomas fumbled on Stanford’s two-yard line.
Once again, a blown opportunity.
Stanford then went on to tack on a a 19-yard field goal just before halftime, leading the Ducks 17-0. The Cardinal drive of the half consisted of 20 plays, for 96 yards, in 8:26.
What to look for in the second half:
Can the Ducks come back from being down 17 points at halftime? The last time Oregon was shut out by 17 plus-points was in 1st half was against BYU on Dec. 21, 2006.
Will Mariota have a strong second half showing? The Heisman hopeful is 9-for-17 with 115 yards at halftime.
Can the defense step up and convert on initial tackles?
Follow Beth Maiman on Twitter @bethamaiman