Stanford holds off Oregon's fourth quarter rally to take down the Ducks in Eugene
In a classic clash of style, Stanford's running game proved supreme over Oregon's explosive passing offense as when the game was on the line, Stanford was able to march down the field and ice it against Oregon to beat the Ducks 31-24 on Saturday afternoon.
Stanford held a 24-7 lead entering the fourth quarter despite a poor end to the first half where questionable clock management led to them having to settle for a field goal on third and goal from the one-yard line where Brian Vallos' kick would hit the upright and bounce out.
Oregon would cut into that led thanks to an early fourth quarter field goal and then forcing a three and out on the Cardinal's first drive of the fourth quarter, their only punt of the game. Oregon's Mac Odom would lead a quick seven play drive that took only three minutes off the clock to make it a one score game thanks to a 49-yard completion to Finau Brewer on third down.
The Ducks defense, however, would have no answers for Stanford's run game as they ran six straight running plays to open the drive and got the ball to the Stanford 22-yard line where Earl Nienhuis tossed it out to tight end Colt Mixon for nine yards.
Three plays later, Rashawn Crouse punched it in on third and goal from the one-yard line after the two minute warning and having drained Oregon of all of their timeouts.
The Ducks would get points on the board with thirty eight seconds left but the onside kick was recovered. Scoring Summary Quarter 1 Colt Mixon 16 Yd pass from Earl Nienhuis (7:15) Nick Johnson, 1 Yd run (3:15)
Quarter 3 Rodney Cookus 17 Yd pass from Earl Nienhuis (5:44) Brian Vallos, 48 Yd FG (0:29)
Quarter 4 Eric Blizzard, 54 Yd FG (9:47) Chad Perkins 5 Yd pass from Mac Odom (4:55) Rashawn Crouse, 1 Yd run (1:52) Nick Johnson 2 Yd pass from Mac Odom (0:37) Player Stats QB Earl Nienhuis (R-Soph): 29-34, 223 yards, 3 TD QB Mac Odom (R-Sr): 25-30, 285 yards, 2 TD, sacked 3 times
(7-3, 4-2 Big Ten, No. 8 CFP)
Colt Mixon 16 Yd pass from Earl Nienhuis (7:15)
Nick Johnson, 1 Yd run (3:15)
