In a year when Oregon’s name is continuously mentioned with words like a Pac-12 title, BCS National Championship and a Heisman Trophy winner, all seemed shattered Thursday night in northern California as the No. 3 Ducks fell to No. 5 Stanford 26-20.
“We didn’t get off to a very good start offensively and special teams, and that’s my fault,” head coach Mark Helfrich said. “I have to give them (Stanford) a ton of credit, but I am really proud of our guys and how they competed.”
Missed opportunities haunted the Ducks throughout the first half, and Oregon trailed at halftime 17-0.
“A couple plays would of been huge,” Helfrich said.
The first-year head coach also credited Stanford’s defense and the squad’s talented class of seniors.
After falling to Stanford last year and with so much riding on this year’s matchup, as well, the reality of the loss set in while in the locker room after the game.
“The kids are heartbroken. We would like to have the first half back, we would like to have a lot of things back,” offensive coordinator Scott Frost said.
The No. 3 team in the nation looked rattled from the start.
Quarterback Marcus Mariota was forced to scramble numerous times, facing constant pressure from Stanford’s defensive line the entire game.
The Ducks’ first red zone trip of the game played out similar to Oregon’s loss to Stanford on Nov. 17 last season, with Oregon going for it on fourth down instead of attempting the field goal.
Mariota looked to Bralon Addison on a fade route to the corner of the end zone and the play was ineffective, as Stanford took over on downs at Oregon’s four-yard line.
Stanford was able to score after taking over deep in its own territory. 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 got on the board first with a two-yard run from running back Tyler Gaffney, taking a 7-0 lead.
Oregon could never find its groove and the Cardinal controlled the momentum on both sides of the ball.
Even when the Ducks made their way into scoring territory, running back De’Anthony Thomas fumbled on Stanford’s two-yard line and the Cardinal was able to control time of possession for the rest of the second quarter, tacking on a field goal at the end of the half on a drive consisting of 20 plays for 96 yards in 8:26.
“We had chances to score, Stanford just made plays when it mattered,” Frost said after the game.
To start the second half, Stanford once again made its way down due to a solid kickoff return from wide receiver Ty Montgomery to Oregon’s 38-yard line. Kicker Jordan Williamson kicked a 34-yard field goal to give the Cardinal a 20-0 lead.
Oregon took to the field on offense for a crucial drive with just a little over 12 minutes to go in the third quarter.
The game simply went from bad to worse for the Ducks, as Mariota fumbled on Stanford’s 29-yard line after being sacked. The Heisman hopeful appeared shaken up after the play and limped to the sidelines.
“It (his left knee) is a little banged up,” Mariota said. “It’s nothing too extradionary. I’m just going to take it and get healthy for next week.”
Mariota stated he tends to just not focus on pain throughout the game and tried to do that tonight.
“The moment it (the sack) happened I told myself to get up and fight through it. The guys needed me,” Mariota said.
Stanford continued to play its game. The Cardinal ate up the clock and Williamson made two more field goals.
With the Ducks down 26-0, Mariota found Daryle Hawkins for a 23-yard touchdown to get the Ducks on the board.
After Stanford moved the ball into Oregon territory on the following drive, there was a slight glimpse of hope as Oregon bursted through the line and blocked the field goal on Williamson’s fifth field goal attempt. Linebacker Rodney Hardrick picked up the ball and returned it all the way for a touchdown to make the score 26-13 after the Ducks failed to convert on the two-point conversion.
Oregon then went for an onside kick. Alejandro Maldonado got a low bouncing onside kick to reflect off a Stanford player, and Oregon was able to recover the ball. The Ducks drove down the field and eventually Mariota found tight end Pharaoh Brown on fourth down to bring Oregon within one score.
“I think it (the comeback) makes me more proud of our team,” Helfrich said.
However, the Oregon comeback came to an abrupt end as Maldonado’s third onside kick attempt was recovered by the Cardinal. Stanford ran out the clock and fought off Oregon’s comeback attempt to win 26-20 in a clash of Pac-12 powers.
“It’s tough. You go out there and have a good week of practice and you just can’t pull it out,” Mariota said.
The future for the Ducks doesn’t appear to be a straight shot to Pasadena for the national championship, but with a chunk of the season still left to play, it’s not a done deal to rule out anything in college football.
“We don’t hold the cards anymore, but we never hold the cards. We have to come back and prepare and get ready for whoever is next.”
Also check out the Emerald’s play-by-play of the game here.
Follow Beth Maiman on Twitter @bethamaiman