Ducks Win War Of Attrition With Cal

Saturday, September 30

Eugene, Ore.

7:30 PM

University of Oregon

4-1 , 1-1

California

3-2 , 0-2

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

Cal

Oregon

Photo by: Eric Evans/GoDucks.com

10/01/17 | Football

Box Score

Oregon survived a number of injuries by winning the battles in the trenches to beat California on Saturday, 45-24.

By: Rob Moseley

EUGENE, Ore. — The Oregon football team won a war of attrition by dominating the battle in the trenches Saturday, overcoming the loss of quarterback Justin Herbert and running back Royce Freeman to beat California, 45-24, before 55,707 fans in Autzen Stadium.

How It Happened: The Ducks (4-1, 1-1 Pac-12) bounced back from their loss to Arizona State a week earlier, and survived the gut punch of playing without Herbert and Freeman in the second half. Already playing Saturday without receiver Charles Nelson, tight end Jacob Breeland, linebacker A.J. Hotchkins and safety Nick Pickett, Oregon lost Herbert, Freeman, receiver Dillon Mitchell and linebacker Kaluana Apelu to injuries and also safety Tyree Robinson due to an ejection for targeting in the first half.

Herbert was injured on his rushing touchdown that made it 17-0 late in the first quarter, having already thrown a touchdown pass to Brenden Schooler as well. The offense struggled to find traction behind backup Taylor Alie initially, and Cal scored just before halftime to make it 17-7.

But the Ducks controlled the line of scrimmage after halftime, rushing 34 times for 217 yards and four touchdowns. Kani Benoit ran for two scores, Tony Brooks-James added one and true freshman Darrian Felix capped the evening with an 11-yard score for the game's final points.

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The UO defense, meanwhile, limited California (3-2, 0-2) to eight yards rushing on the night, and sacked quarterback Ross Bowers seven times. A 75-yard touchdown pass by Bowers to Kanawai Noa in the third quarter got the Golden Bears within 24-14, and Matt Anderson kicked a field goal to make it a one-score game at 24-17 early in the fourth. But the Ducks answered the field goal in less than a minute, with Benoit slicing through the defense like a blade for a 68-yard touchdown between blocks by Jake Pisarcik and Calvin Throckmorton, regaining momentum for Oregon.

Who Stood Out: Benoit rushed 18 times for 138 yards and fellow runner Brooks-James had 16 carries for 76 yards, picking up the slack in Freeman's absence. Herbert was 7-of-8 passing for 86 yards and a touchdown before his injury, and Alie went 9-of-13 for 41 yards in relief. Henry Mondeaux had two sacks and recovered a fumble, and Troy Dye led the defense with nine tackles. Pressed into first-string roles by the injuries to Pickett and Apelu, safety Mattrell McGraw and linebacker Blake Rugraff made six tackles each.

What It Means: The long-term influence of the injuries isn't yet known, making it difficult to extrapolate their full impact; UO coach Willie Taggart said immediately afterward he hadn't spoken with team doctors for official diagnosis on Herbert, Freeman and the rest. But the Ducks were able to compartment their concern and demonstrated resiliency and toughness, traits Taggart and his staff worked hard to instill since taking over the team.

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Notable: Alie left the field after taking a hit in the second half and was replaced for the remainder of the game by true freshman Braxton Burmeister, who made his UO debut. … Felix also made his collegiate debut, becoming the 12^th true freshman to play this season. … The Ducks committed another 10 penalties for 110 yards, including the targeting called that resulted in Robinson's ejection. … Though Breeland was not in uniform, the Ducks began the game with two tight ends, Ryan Bay and Cam McCormick, the first career start for each. …Cal right guard Valentino Daltoso practiced with Oregon as a walk-on last season before being offered a scholarship by the Golden Bears and transferring. … Former UO track and field star and U.S. Olympian Matt Centrowitz announced the starting lineups in Autzen prior to kickoff.

Up Next: The Ducks remain at home to host Washington State next Saturday (5 p.m. PT, FOX), with the unbeaten Cougars coming to town fresh off their upset Friday of Southern California.