Oregon Forces Five Turnovers, Runs Away From Cardinal

De'Anthony Thomas celebrates after his 41 yard touch down reception
(AP Photo/Tony Avelar)

"I can't tell you any scheme stuff about the defense but I can tell you that I love 'em" Chip Kelly responded to Erin Andrew's questions about the defense. Oregon's defense forced 5 turnovers and sacked Andrew Luck 3 times as the Ducks defeated the Stanford Cardinal Saturday night 53-30.

The game was anticipated to be an offensive shootout and a match up of Oregon's speed against Stanford's power. After one quarter, at least it appeared that it was going to be a true defensive battle. After being forced into a three and out only 9 times previously in the season, the Duck defense managed to force a three and out on the first drive and kept the Cardinal off the board through the first quarter. Conversely, the Cardinal held the Ducks to -1 yard in the first quarter and it looked as though the Cardinal had Oregon's number but Andrew Luck threw an interception on the run to Oregon's Dewitt Stuckey who ran the ball back into the red zone to switch the momentum early. 5 plays later Darron Thomas found Lavasier Tuinei in the back of the end zone to open the scoring.

Early in the second quarter, Andrew Luck hit Griff Whalen for 18 yards and a score but could not convert on the extra point making the score 8-6 and it appeared that the battle of high scoring offenses was on. Oregon had the answer on their next drive when LaMichael James broke free for a 58 yard touch down run to extend Oregon's lead. Stanford was unable to answer back but converted a De'Anthony Thomas fumble into a field goal to make the score 15-9.

It took Oregon's quick strike offense little more than 2 minutes to put the ball in the end zone again when on 4th and 7, Darron Thomas connected on his second of three touch down passes with a screen to De'Anthony Thomas who turned the ball up the field and turned the fourth down play into a 41 yard touch down reception. Stanford was able to draw the game back within 6 as Andrew Luck lead the Cardinal on a scoring drive, hitting Griff Whalen again for his second touch down reception on the day. 

The story of the second half was turnovers. The Ducks outscored the Cardinal 31-14 in the second half and much of that was thanks to the defense. After Darron Thomas connected with Josh Huff in the open field for another touch down pass, the Oregon defense went to work. Isaac Remington forced a fumble of Andrew Luck and the Oregon offense turned it into LaMichael James' second touch down, again on a fourth down play. Stanford refused to go away though, and Andrew Luck took the Cardinal down the field and found Jeremy Stewart on a play action pass in the flat for the score. 

Oregon was on the move though to end the third quarter and LaMichael James punched in his third rushing touch down of the day to provide more separation between the two squads. The Cardinal would score again in the fourth quarter but the Oregon defense would put the nail in the coffin when Boseko Lokombo intercepted Andrew Luck for the second time and returned it all the way to cap the scoring for Oregon. In what would be Stanford's last gasp on offense, Usua Amanam fumbled the ensuing kick off and then another fumble by Drew Terrell allowed the Ducks to run out the clock to end the game. 

Coming into the game, much of the talk was about how Oregon's defense was going to defend the powerful Stanford offense. Through much of the game they bottled up the running game, limiting Stepfan Taylor to under 100 yards rushing and made Stanford's play action game a non factor. Conversely, Oregon was all but left for dead in the national picture after their opening week loss to LSU but suddenly they could make noise in the BCS chase with Boise State and Stanford losing Saturday. 

Also, LaMichael James put his name back in the discussion for the Heisman as he totaled 146 yards and 3 scores while Heisman front runner Andrew Luck accounted for 3 turnovers, despite his three passing touchdowns. Luck's counter part Darron Thomas managed  the offense well and did what coach Kelly needed from him, passing for three scores and 155 yards.

Oregon now is only one game away from clinching the North title in the Pac-12 and returns home to face the USC Trojans who will likely have revenge on their mind. If the Ducks win that game, they will clinch the opportunity to host the inaugural Pac-12 championship. For Stanford they prepare for Cal in this years edition of the Big Game. Stanford holds the axe, which is the trophy between the two teams and looks to hold it for the second consecutive year as the Golden Bears did in 2008 and 2009.