Oregon football live updates: No. 6 Ducks down Cal Golden Bears
Oregon will look to avoid a letdown at Autzen Stadium Saturday as former Duck and Cal coach Justin Wilcox and his Golden Bears head to Eugene for a 2:30 p.m. matchup.
The Golden Bears (3-5, 1-4 Pac-12) have had a rocky season, despite an improved offense and still decently stout defense. They have just one win in conference play – a 24-21 win over Arizona State – and have lost decisively to No. 5 Washington, No. 16 Oregon State, and No. 18 Utah. Last week the Golden Bears nearly pulled off an upset against No. 20 USC, failing on a two-point try with less than a minute to go that would have put them ahead, and instead resulted in a 50-49 loss in Berkeley.
Fresh off a dominant win over ranked Utah, the Ducks (7-1, 4-1 Pac-12) are not taking Cal lightly.
“They’re not remotely the same team we’ve played in the past,” Oregon coach Dan Lanning said. “These guys are scoring a lot of points. They’re extremely efficient. I think they’re playing some of their best ball, especially offensively, here towards this point of the season.”
Look for live updates and photos here from The Register-Guard throughout the game on Saturday.
12:30 p.m.: Oregon football vs. Cal kickoff time set
Kickoff is set for 2:40 p.m. as Oregon football takes on Cal at Autzen Stadium. The game will be broadcast on Pac-12 Networks.
2:20 p.m.: It never rains at Autzen Stadium?
It has been all day and it will be come kickoff. Gonna be a wet game Saturday.
2:40 p.m.: Ducks open game with a turnover
Rough start for Oregon as Bo Nix's pass on the opening play of the game bounces off the hands of receiver Tez Johnson and is intercepted by Cal. It's just the third turnover of the season for the Ducks' offense.
2:45 p.m.: First quarter mayhem going on at Autzen Stadim
To recap:
Cal gets an interception on opening play of the game.
Ducks defense forces 41-yard FG attempt, which is blocked by Oregon cornerback Khyree Jackson and returned for a TD by Oregon cornerback Jahlil Florence ... BUT, Jackson was offsides and penalty was called on the Oregon sideline giving the Bears a first down at the Ducks' 8.
On Cals' first play, Oregon safety Steve Stephens IV picks off Cal QB Fernando Mendoza and the Ducks take over at the Bears' 14 with 12:15 to play in the first quarter.
3 p.m.: Oregon takes 7-0 lead
Bo Nix connected with Tez Johnson on a 48-yard TD pass on second-and-37 and the Ducks have taken a 7-0 lead with 7:00 to play in the first quarter. Johnson caught the pass at the 30 and split a pair of defenders as he raced into the end zone.
The drive included a 21-yard TD pass to Bucky Irving that was negated by an offensive holding penalty on Patrick Herbert and also included an unsportsmanlike penalty offensive lineman Steven Jones, penalties that pushed the Ducks out of the red zone and to midfield.
3:15 p.m.: Oregon takes 14-0 lead
Nix scored on a 1-yard run with 4:40 to play in the first quarter. The possession was set up by a fumble recovery at the 1-yard line by Oregon defensive lineman Taki Taimani following a sack of Cal's Fernando Mendoza by Casey Rogers.
First Quarter recap
What happened: The Ducks lead 14-10 and will have the ball to start the second quarter.
The big play: Tez Johnson took a reception from Bo Nix 48 yards for the first TD of the game. The play came on second-and-37 following a pair of Oregon penalties.
Momentum swing: Trailing 14-0, Cal scored 10 points over seven seconds in the final two minutes of the quarter.
Beyond the boxscore: After having just two turnovers total through the first eight games of the season, the Ducks had two in the first quarter, including a fumble returned for a TD.
3:45 p.m. Cal getting closer
Golden Bears kicker Mateen Bhaghani hit a 27-yard field goal with 11:28 to play in the second quarter, cutting Cal's deficit to 14-13. The scoring drive began at the Oregon 35 following a missed 53-yard FG attempt by the Ducks' Camden Lewis. Cal has now scored 13 straight after trailing 14-0.
3:55 p.m.: Nix scores again for Oregon
Quarterback Bo Nix scored on a 1-yard run — his second of the game — to extend the Ducks' lead to 21-13 with 5:21 to play in the half.
4:10 p.m.: Ducks score again, lead 28-13
Bo Nix led a 6-play, 63-yard drive that ended with a 14-yard TD pass to Tez Johnson to put the Ducks up 28-13 with 1:39 to play in the half. It was Nix’s second passing TD to Johnson of the game.
First half update
What happened: Oregon outscored Cal 21-3 in the second quarter to take a 35–13 lead into halftime.
The big play: Bo Nix threw TD passes of 14 yards and 7 yards to Tez Johnson and Troy Franklin, respectively.
Momentum swing: Oregon scored three TDs in the final 5:21 to turn a 14-13 lead into a 22-point advantage.
Beyond the boxscore: With his five TDs in the first half, Bo Nix moves to 19th all-time in the NCAA for career touchdowns with 130.
4:50 p.m.: Cal strikes first in second half
Jadyn Ott scored on 20-yard run just 1:13 into the third quarter as Cal scored its first offensive TD of the game to cut the Ducks’ lead to 35-19.
5:05 p.m.: Bucky Irving scores for Ducks
Bucky Irving scored on a 6-yard cutback run and the Ducks’ lead was pushed to a game-high 23 points, 42-19, with 8:30 to play in the third quarter.
Third quarter recap
What happened: Oregon and Cal traded touchdowns as the Ducks go into the fourth quarter up 42-19 with the ball deep in Cal territory.
The big play: Oregon’s Bucky Irving scored on a 6-yard run.
Momentum swing: Oregon safety Evan Williams recovered a fumble at the Oregon 1-yard line to prevent a Cal score.
Beyond the boxscore: Cal running back Jaivian Thomas was injured following a hard hit that resulted in a fumble near the Oregon goal line. Thomas lay motionless on the turf for several minutes before being strapped to a carrier and put a cart.
5:38 p.m.: Oregon scored again
Two plays into the fourth quarter, Bo Nix hits tight end Terrence Ferguson with a 4-yard TD pass and the Ducks lead grows to 49-19.
5:52 p.m.: Oregon's lead now 37 points
Jordan James scored on a 16-yard run and the Ducks have taken a 56-19 lead with 9:51 to play. It’s the most points score by Oregon against Cal since a 59-17 win in 2014 and the second-most in the 86-game history of the series.
Final: Oregon 63, California 19
Quarterback Bo Nix threw for 386 yards and four touchdowns and rushed for two more as the Ducks won in a rout to improve to 8-1 overall and 5-1 in Pac-12 play. It was the most points scored by either team in the 85-game history of the series and the largest margin of victory for either team.
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Follow Chris Hansen on Twitter @chansen_RG or email at chansen@registerguard.com. For more sports coverage, visit registerguard.com. Want more stories like this? Subscribe to get unlimited access and support local journalism.
This article originally appeared on Salem Statesman Journal: Oregon Ducks football vs. Cal Golden Bears: Updates, score, photos
