Oregon Secures 24-17 Goal-Line Stand Victory Over Cal

#9 Oregon narrowly defeats Cal 24-17 Friday night at Autzen Stadium. Oregon was coming off a disappointing overtime loss to Stanford and until the very end versus Cal it felt like a repeat from Palo Alto.

Oregon was sluggish through the opening three quarters and starting Quarterback Anthony Brown again did not have a great outing. Brown was subject to booing and chants for Ty Thompson to be put in from the home crowd; Brown was not made available for media after the game.

Despite some poor decision making Brown statistically was enough for the Ducks to win: 20/28, 244yds, 1TD with 44 yards and 1TD on the ground as well.

Oregon was able to score 14 points on their final two drives in big part to a rushing attack that came to life. C.J Verdell was ruled out for the campaign after he sustained a leg injury against Stanford and Travis Dye stepped up admirably putting up 145 yards and one score.

Star DE Kayvon Thibodeaux was unavailable for the first half of the game due to a targeting suspension from a hit on Tanner McKee during the Stanford contest. The silver lining, Thibodeaux was fresh and wreaked havoc on Chase Garbers and the Cal offensive line during the second half.

Unlike two weeks ago, Oregon was able to complete a goal-line stand against Cal with seconds remaining in the game. Cal went 73 yards and Chase Garbers had four chances inside the Duck four-yard line but the defense denied Cal their second win against Oregon in as many years.

Now 5-1 (2-1 Pac-12), Oregon will just hold onto relevance in the College Football Playoff conversation along with pole position in the PAC-12 North.
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