FB | No. 7 Stanford Flips Script, Stuns No. 20 Oregon in Overtime Thriller

No. 20 Oregon Football was handed a startling 38-31 overtime loss at Autzen Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 22 at the hands of no. 7 Stanford after near-dominance from the Ducks. Oregon went into halftime leading the Cardinal, who came into the match-up as 2.5 point favorites, 24-7. That lead seemed destined to balloon near the end of the third quarter, as sophomore wide receiver Jaylon Redd leaped into the end zone on a 16-yard run that was initially called a touchdown on the field. Further review showed that Redd’s foot hit the pylon before the ball crossed the goal line, three plays later Stanford linebacker Joey Alfieri took a botched snap 80 yards the other direction for a touchdown, and suddenly the game script flipped. The fumble recovery that became a mad touchdown dash sparked Stanford’s 31-7 run in the final 18 minutes of regulation and overtime.

The huge Stanford streak was highlighted by Oregon running back CJ Verdell’s fumble on 2nd and 2 from the Stanford 42 with roughly a minute left in the game and Oregon up by 3. Oregon’s turnover, one of three they gave Stanford on the night, led to Cardinal kicker Jet Toner’s game-tying 32-yard field goal as time expired and tight end Cody Parkinson’s circus touchdown catch on the opening drive of the extra period. Oregon moved to 3-1 on the year when Justin Herbert’s last-ditch effort to the end zone was intercepted on 4th and goal from the 10. Despite the game-ending pick, Herbert was nearly perfect on the night, completing 26-33 passes for 346 yards and a touchdown. Redshirt junior Dillon Mitchell complemented Herbert with a receiving performance for the ages, racking up 14 catches – 2nd in UO history – and 239 yards, three shy of the most any Oregon receiver has compiled. Next up for the Ducks are the undefeated Cal Bears (3-0), as Oregon will travel to Berkeley, playing away Autzen for the first time on the young season.

Game Stories

Oregon Still on Outskirts of National Spotlight After Agonizing Loss (by Jordan Brenner)