Ducks Drop Home Finale To Cardinal

Saturday, November 12

Eugene, Ore.

1:00 PM

University of Oregon

3-7 , 1-6

Stanford

7-3 , 5-3

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

Stanford

Oregon

Photo by: Eric Evans/GoDucks.com

11/12/16 | Football

Box Score

Oregon fell behind early and couldn't recover in a 52-27 loss Saturday to Stanford.

By: Rob Moseley

EUGENE, Ore. — Oregon will be saddled with its first losing season in more than a decade after the Ducks lost 52-27 to Stanford on Saturday in Autzen Stadium. The UO football team fell to 3-7, ensuring its first losing season since 2004 and its most losses since the 1991 team went 3-8.

How It Happened: For the third time in five games, Oregon found itself down 21-0 in the first half. The Ducks won the opening coin flip, took the ball and went three-and-out, setting the tone for the afternoon. Christian McCaffrey scored on touchdown runs of 61 and 5 yards in the first quarter, and he added another of 14 yards just before halftime to make it 38-13.

In between, Oregon got on the board with a Justin Herbert touchdown pass to Johnny Mundt — Oregon's tight ends were again a key to the game plan — and a rushing touchdown by Royce Freeman, who broke out of a recent funk. But after being stopped on their opening possession, Stanford scored on six straight to build the halftime lead of 38-13. The Cardinal finished the game with 282 rushing yards but also passed for 258, a breakout performance by a passing game that had been struggling severely.

Any chance of a comeback ended in the third quarter, when the Cardinal tacked on two more touchdowns. The Ducks muffed a punt to set up the first, and Herbert threw his second interception of the afternoon in between the touchdowns. Oregon did manage to salvage some pride late, scoring in the fourth quarter on a run by Kani Benoit and a Herbert pass to Charles Nelson.

Who Stood Out: After rushing for 86 yards the last three weeks combined, Freeman ran 20 times for 111 yards and the touchdown Saturday. Herbert finished 21-of-30 for 274 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions, and ran for 47 yards. Pharaoh Brown caught six passes for 93 yards before leaving with an injury, and Jimmie Swain led the defense with nine tackles.

What It Means: Oregon lost for the seventh time in eight games, a streak that clearly affects the team's psychology when it continues to fall behind. The final two games will be a test of character, as the Ducks set the stage for what will be an offseason of regrouping.

Quotable:
UO coach Mark Helfrich
"We didn't get off to a great start in any phase, and that's on me."

"Our fans were awesome. I apologize to them for how we finished out the home slate."

Notable: True freshman Dillon Mitchell was the primary punt returner and also joined the kickoff team. … Tony Brooks-James was slated to start but had an issue affecting his availability, Helfrich said. Brooks-James eventually played and had six touches. But another backup running back, Taj Griffin, has been lost for the season due to injury, Helfrich said. … Legendary UO defensive tackle Haloti Ngata took advantage of a bye week for the Detroit Lions to attend Saturday's game. He received his plaque from the UO Athletics Hall of Fame induction ceremony he missed earlier this season, and also announced the starting lineups.

Up Next: The Ducks go on the road to play next Saturday at Utah. Kickoff time and TV information will be announced Sunday.